How to Remove Rust From Colored Clothes

Rust can stain clothing, making it difficult to remove.

When you place wet clothing on metal hangers, rust can form and stain the clothing. Removing the rust stains can be a little tricky. Washing the item usually yields unwanted results; however, a few home remedies can salvage those colored clothes and remove the rust stains for good. No matter what method of rust stain removal you choose, after application you must launder the colored clothing as you traditionally would.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Lemon
• Distilled white vinegar
• Rhubarb stalks
• Pot
• Water
• Salt

Instructions

Lemon Juice Method

1. Lay the clothing on top of paper towels.

2. Cut a lemon in half. Squeeze the lemon so the juice saturates the rust stain.

3. Allow the lemon juice to sit for 5 minutes on the stain.

4. Blot the juice with a paper towel to dry it.

5. Place the clothing in the sun until it is completely dried.

6. Alternatively, use distilled white vinegar in place of the lemon juice.

Rhubarb Stalks Method

1. Cut rhubarb stalks into 1 inch pieces.

2. Place them in a pot filled with water.

3. Bring the water and rhubarb stalks to a boil.

4. Boil them for 15 minutes.

5. Soak the colored clothing in the mixture for a few hours.

6. Rinse the clothing with cool water.

Lemon Juice and Salt Method

1. Create a paste of lemon juice and salt.

2. Apply the paste to the rust stain.

3. Allow the paste to set for 30 minutes in the sun.

4. Rinse with cool water.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use bleach on rust stains. Bleach will set the stains in.

References

• Mrs Clean USA: How to Remove Rust Stains Completely
• Ohio State University Extension: Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal
• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster -- Rust