How to Remove Rust From Cloth

Rusted metal

When water, air and metal combine it causes a reddish color of corrosion that's bad news for metal and for your clothing if you happen to brush up against it. There are so many different ways that rust can find its way to cloth; fortunately there are several very easy ways to remove it. With a few materials you may already have around the house and a little knowhow, rust stains are as good as gone.

Things You'll Need

• Lemon juice
• Table salt
• Clean cloth
• White vinegar
• Rhubarb stalks
• Cream of tartar
• Naval Jelly

Instructions

Several Simple Suggestions

1. Cover the rust-stained area with lemon juice, and sprinkle salt all over it. Use a clean cloth to scrub the salt into the stain and set the cloth outside in the sunshine for 2-3 hours before laundering.

2. Make a paste out of table salt and white vinegar and gently scrub it into the stain with a clean cloth or sponge. Allow the paste to sit on the stain for at least half an hour before washing the cloth.

3. Boil 2-3 rhubarb stalks in a pot on the stove for 10-15 minutes before removing it from the heat and allowing it to cool. Place the cloth in the liquid and allow it to soak until the rust stain is gone.

4. Dampen the area with clean water, and sprinkle cream of tartar onto the affected area liberally. Use a clean cloth to work the cream of tartar into the fibers, and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before laundering.

5. Apply Naval Jelly to a clean cloth and rub it into the rust stain. After it has sat for 30 minutes to an hour, launder the fabric as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• Read and follow any manufacturer's instructions carefully because not all fabrics can be soaked in water.

• Until the stain is gone, do not place the cloth in the dryer because this may permanently cause the stain to set.

References

• Corrosionist: How Does Rust Form
• I Love India: How to Remove Rust from Clothing