5 Ways to Eliminate Rust Stains

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5 Ways to Eliminate Rust Stains
5 Ways to Eliminate Rust Stains

Video: 5 Ways to Eliminate Rust Stains

Video: 5 Ways to Eliminate Rust Stains
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Any oxidizing metal object or water volume with iron particles is at risk of developing red rust chips. While not every case is easy to fix, it is quite possible to get rid of these blemishes by following certain methods. You can, for example, use hydrogen peroxide with toilets, sinks and bathtubs; smearing vinegar and lemon juice on rugs, carpet, and clothing; or apply baking soda or a rust remover to wood, metal and concrete surfaces. Follow the steps below to better understand the process.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Eliminating Rust from Toilets, Sinks and Tubs

Remove Iron Stains Step 1
Remove Iron Stains Step 1

Step 1. Turn off the valve and drain all standing water

Find the water valve and turn it counterclockwise. Depending on your toilet model, it may have a valve installed in the back. Try triggering the download and see if it works. The surface of the stain should not get wet while you apply cleaning products to it.

If you're cleaning a sink or bathtub, just turn off the tap to prevent the water from circulating

Remove Iron Stains Step 2
Remove Iron Stains Step 2

Step 2. Mix sodium bitartrate and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste

Take a small bowl and mix 30 g of sodium bitartrate with 45 ml of hydrogen peroxide. Beat the ingredients well until they form a paste with a viscous consistency.

Buy sodium bitartrate and hydrogen peroxide at any supermarket. Bitartrate is usually in the seasoning section

Remove Iron Stains Step 3
Remove Iron Stains Step 3

Step 3. Apply the mixture and count for ten minutes

Spread the paste over the entire stained area using a sponge, cloth, or nylon brush. It will loosen the rust particles gradually.

Remove Iron Stains Step 4
Remove Iron Stains Step 4

Step 4. Rub a sponge or brush over the stain

The best tactic for removing the stain without damaging the surface is to rub the rough side of a regular sponge into the spot. Nylon brushes will also do, including those for cleaning toilets. Spread the paste with the accessory well.

Do not use steel wool, which is too rough and can scratch porcelain surfaces

Remove Iron Stains Step 5
Remove Iron Stains Step 5

Step 5. Rinse surface with clean water

Turn the valve or faucet back on and rinse all the paste with clean water. If necessary, repeat this rinse a few times until there is nothing left of the solution.

  • You may need to repeat this process a few times, but you can avoid major problems by washing the entire surface of the toilet, sink or bathtub at least once a month.
  • If hydrogen peroxide paste doesn't work, try other equally effective treatments: commercial rust removers, lemon juice and baking soda paste, etc.

Method 2 of 5: Using Vinegar on Rugs and Carpet

Remove Iron Stains Step 6
Remove Iron Stains Step 6

Step 1. Saturate a clean cloth with white vinegar

Moisten the cloth with vinegar and wring out excess liquid. Only place the fabric on the rug or carpet when it is not dripping.

Vinegar is also used to remove stains from other surfaces, such as metals and clothing. Try this solution if the others don't work

Remove Iron Stains Step 7
Remove Iron Stains Step 7

Step 2. Sprinkle table salt on the rust stain

Apply the salt directly to the rug or carpet, covering the stain with an even layer of the product.

Remove Iron Stains Step 8
Remove Iron Stains Step 8

Step 3. Place the cloth over the stain for 30 minutes

Arrange the cloth over the entire stain. The salt will absorb the rust particles from the carpet or carpet fibers while the vinegar dissolves them.

Vinegar also neutralizes bad odors from the stained area

Remove Iron Stains Step 9
Remove Iron Stains Step 9

Step 4. Saturate the cloth again and repeat the process if the stain persists

Repeat the process with the cloth: apply vinegar to it, wring it out to remove the excess and place it on top of the stain for another 30 minutes.

Be prepared to have to repeat the process a few times, especially if the stain is older

Remove Iron Stains Step 10
Remove Iron Stains Step 10

Step 5. Vacuum the rug or carpet when the vinegar dries

Once the stain is gone, wait for the rug or carpet to dry completely. Then, vacuum the material to remove the grains of salt that are still in the fibers. The vacuum also helps make these fibers more uniform and fluffy.

Method 3 of 5: Cleaning garments with lemon juice

Remove Iron Stains Step 11
Remove Iron Stains Step 11

Step 1. Rub ½ lemon on the rust stain

Cut a fresh lemon in half or use a few slices of the fruit you already have in the fridge. Saturate the stain well as the acid helps dissolve the rust particles.

  • In the absence of fruit you can use lemon juice, which is still acidic.
  • Lemon juice works best on white clothes. If the stained parts are colored or delicate, it is better to dilute the product in a proportional volume of water to reduce the acidity.
Remove Iron Stains Step 12
Remove Iron Stains Step 12

Step 2. Sprinkle salt on the stain

Cover the entire stain with an even layer of table salt, but do not exaggerate the volume. The salt will absorb the iron particles while the lemon juice dissolves them.

Remove Iron Stains Step 13
Remove Iron Stains Step 13

Step 3. Rub a microfiber cloth over the salt

Take a microfiber cloth (or other material that is soft) and rub it into the garment in a circular motion, trying to spread the salt and lemon juice over the fibers. Continue this process until the fabric is well saturated.

You can change the cloth to a soft bristle brush (or even an old toothbrush), which does a little more strength

Remove Iron Stains Step 14
Remove Iron Stains Step 14

Step 4. Place the garment in direct sunlight for two or three hours

Take the garment to a place where the sun hits directly, preferably a table or counter. Place it on this surface with the stained side up and wait for the lemon juice to dry and remove the rust stain.

  • Dark clothes run the risk of fading or even changing color when under the sun and in very high temperatures. Take a look at the piece every 30 minutes and, if necessary, collect it ahead of time.
  • If you can't get the piece out in the sun or don't want to risk its integrity, place it in an open, airy space for at least an hour. Then wash it normally.
Remove Iron Stains Step 15
Remove Iron Stains Step 15

Step 5. Wash the part in the machine to remove salt and juice residues

Place the part in the washer normally. This is the simplest way to end the treatment. Run the machine on a cold cycle to clean delicate fabrics without affecting the fibers.

If the part is very delicate and subject to damage if it enters the machine, wash it by hand in the tank

Method 4 of 5: Using Baking Soda on Wood and Metal Surfaces

Remove Iron Stains Step 16
Remove Iron Stains Step 16

Step 1. Mix baking soda and water into a paste

Mix 15 g of baking soda with 470 ml of warm water in a bowl. Stir the ingredients until they form a viscous paste, toothpaste consistency.

  • Adjust the amount of ingredients according to the size of the surface you want to clean, but always respect the proportion of baking soda and water.
  • You can also buy some commercial cleaning product that contains oxalic acid, which reacts with rust and is easy to remove with water.
Remove Iron Stains Step 17
Remove Iron Stains Step 17

Step 2. Spread the mixture on the surface using a microfiber cloth

Saturate a cloth with some of the paste and apply to the spot. Take a good look at the material and rub the solution into the wood or metal fibers.

Fibers in wood or metal likely follow a vertical or horizontal pattern. Run the cloth towards them to reduce the chances of scratching the surface

Remove Iron Stains Step 18
Remove Iron Stains Step 18

Step 3. Collect the folder using paper towels

Wet a sheet of paper towels in warm water and squeeze to remove excess. Pass it over the surface of the stain, following the fibers of the material, until the paste is collected. Next, see if there are any traces of rust.

You may have to repeat the treatment a few times if the stain is too big. In this case, the best option is to sprinkle baking soda all over the surface and rub

Remove Iron Stains Step 19
Remove Iron Stains Step 19

Step 4. Cover the stain with baking soda for 30 minutes

If you notice that the wood or metal surface is still stained, spread the baking soda over the entire area. Don't worry about the volume of the powder: it doesn't damage the material.

If the stain is very large and resistant, you'll have to sprinkle a lot of baking soda on the material. Repeat the treatment with the baking soda paste and water as needed

Remove Iron Stains Step 20
Remove Iron Stains Step 20

Step 5. Brush the stain with a soft bristle brush

Choose your brush carefully as harder materials can leave permanent scratches on wood or metal. The ideal is to use a nylon accessory or even an old toothbrush. Run the bristles back and forth a few times to expose any remaining rust particles.

Never use brushes with metal bristles or steel wool. They will scratch the surface of the wood or metal, causing much more serious damage than rust stains

Remove Iron Stains Step 21
Remove Iron Stains Step 21

Step 6. Remove the remaining rust and dry the surface with a paper towel

Wet another sheet of paper towels in warm water. After wringing the material out and wiping away excess moisture, run it over the surface to collect the rust particles you just released. Then repeat the process with another sheet of paper until the material is completely clean.

Method 5 of 5: Applying a Rust Remover to Concrete Surfaces

Remove Iron Stains Step 22
Remove Iron Stains Step 22

Step 1. Put on protective equipment before using the rust remover

Rust removers are often very abrasive, as this is the only way they can remove tougher stains from concrete and other hard surfaces. Therefore, put on rubber gloves and goggles before starting treatment.

If possible, also wear long-sleeved clothing when handling strong chemicals

Remove Iron Stains Step 23
Remove Iron Stains Step 23

Step 2. Mix trisodium phosphate or similar product with water

Follow the product manufacturer's instructions. In the case of trisodium phosphate, mix about 120 g of it with a little less than 2 L of hot water until the powder dissolves.

Purchase rust remover or other degreasers at any home cleaning supply store. They are generally recommended for metal, porcelain and concrete surfaces

Remove Iron Stains Step 24
Remove Iron Stains Step 24

Step 3. Apply the solution to the spot and count for 20 minutes

Carefully pour the diluted Trisodium Phosphate Solution onto the surface, covering the entire stain. If you need to adjust the distribution of liquid, spread it out using a broom.

Rinse the broom with clean water when you are finished using it

Remove Iron Stains Step 25
Remove Iron Stains Step 25

Step 4. Broom the stain with a hard bristle broom

If possible, use a beveled-handled broom to get better spread of trisodium phosphate. What is important is that it has hard bristles, capable of removing rust particles from concrete. Pass it from side to side a few times until all the stain is removed.

  • Buy a quality hard-bristled broom at any home cleaning supply store. Common types work too, but run the risk of spoiling with the force of the movement.
  • You also have the option of brushing the stain with a barbecue wire brush.
Remove Iron Stains Step 26
Remove Iron Stains Step 26

Step 5. Rinse off the cleaning solution with a high pressure washer

Connect the pressure washer to your backyard hose and aim its jet toward the stain. Spray water until the remover is diluted and its particles are removed, leaving the concrete clean.

If you don't have a pressure washer at home, borrow the device from someone you know or even buy one

Tips

  • Always clean rust stains as soon as you notice them. The more time that passes, the more difficult the process will be.
  • Before you attempt to clean delicate surfaces such as chiffon garments, test in a smaller, more discreet area and see that there is no negative reaction.
  • Try to find the source of the rust stain. These stains often form from older furniture, pipes, and other metal objects. They will continue to give you a headache as long as you don't eliminate what causes them in the first place.
  • If you are unable to clean a surface at all, contact a laundry or a professional. Many of them use specific chemical agents that take effect almost immediately.

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