How to Remove Rust Stains From Clothes at Home
“How to remove rust stains from clothes at home”, a commonly asked question by people because rust stains are one of the stubborn stains to deal with. Often, it requires considerable effort and hard work to remove such stains from clothes. Even a small patch of rust is enough to damage the entire fabric. And if you do not treat such stains in a timely manner, they can become permanent.
Often, it is thought that rust stains on clothes can only be removed with the use of commercial rust removers. Commercial rust removers can no doubt help to remove rust stains, but they are not safe to use for all types of fabrics. So, that is why it is recommended to treat rust-stained clothes with home remedies.
In this guide, we will uncover some of the home methods on how to remove rust stains from clothes at home, precautions to take, and how to prevent rust stains on clothes.
What Causes Rust Stains on Clothes?
Rust stains are common to get on clothes, and such stains ruin the overall look of your clothes. Clothes get rust-stained due to many reasons, some of the main reasons are:
- Hard water, which has a high level of iron, can leave rust stains on clothes during washing.
- Rusty washing machines and dryers can also contribute to forming rust stains on clothes.
- Iron and metal hangers that corrode over time can also cause rust stains on clothes.
- Metal zips and buttons on clothes can also lead to rust-stained clothes.
- Frequent contact with iron furniture or equipment can also cause rust on clothes.
How to Remove Rust Stain From Clothes at Home
Be it any reason for the clothes becoming rust-stained, following home methods can help you easily get rid of such stains. Here are some of the best home remedies that you can use to remove rust stains from clothes.
Method 1: Use Lemon and Salt
What You Need
- Salt
- Lemon
Steps
- Sprinkle salt directly on the rust stain.
- Now, squeeze the lemon juice directly over the salt.
- Put the cloth under the sunlight, as direct heat will activate the lemon’s acidic properties and will help to break down the rust stain.
- Keep it in sunlight for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Once the lemon & salt paste is dried, rinse it with cold water.
- Then put the cloth for normal washing.
This method works well for fabrics like cotton and linen and is the most commonly used method for how to remove rust stains from clothes at home. You should avoid trying this method on fabrics like silk and wool. If you have colored cloth, then test lemon juice on a small part of the cloth to check for discoloration.
Method 2: Use White Vinegar and Salt
What You Need
- White Vinegar
- Salt
Steps
- Sprinkle salt directly on the rust stain.
- Then pour enough white vinegar over the salt to soak the stained area.
- Keep it in sunlight for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Once the vinegar & salt paste is dried, rinse it with cold water.
- Then put the cloth for normal washing.
This method works well for colored clothes and fabrics like cotton and polyester.
Method 3: Use Baking Soda
What You Need
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Soft Brush
Steps
- Mix a few drops of water and baking soda together to create a thick paste.
- Apply this paste to the rust stain.
- Then use a soft brush to gently rub the stained area to lift the rust from the cloth.
- Leave the paste on the cloth for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Then brush off the dried stain and rinse the cloth with cold water.
- Then put the cloth for normal washing.
Baking soda is also another commonly used method in how to remove rust stains from clothes at home. This method is helpful for treating mild rust stains without damaging the cloth.
Method 4: Use Toothpaste
What You Need
Toothpaste
Steps
- Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the rust stain.
- Gently rub the toothpaste with your fingers.
- Leave it for about 20 minutes.
- Rinse the cloth with cold water.
- Then put the cloth for normal washing.
This method works well for fresh stains and fabrics like cotton or denim. The mild abrasive present in toothpaste helps to break down the rust. Always use white toothpaste and not the gel one when trying this method.
Method 5: Use Potato and Dish Soap
What You Need
- Potato
- Dish Soap
Steps
- Cut the potato in half and apply dish soap to it.
- Scrub this potato on the rust-stained area.
- Leave for about 20 minutes.
- Rinse the cloth with cold water.
- Then put the cloth for normal washing.
The dish soap will help to speed up the reaction and help in removing the rust quickly.
Method 6: Hydrogen Peroxide and Cream of Tartar
What You Need
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Cream of Tartar
- Baking Soda
Steps
- Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cream of tartar and 1-2 drops of hydrogen peroxide to make a paste.
- Apply this paste on the rust stained area.
- Leave it for half an hour.
- Rinse the cloth with cold water.
- Then put the cloth for normal washing.
This method works well for treating stubborn and older rust stains. Cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide, when combined together create a bleaching action that helps to lift the rust stains. Before trying this method do test hydrogen peroxide on a small part of the cloth to check for discoloration.
Rust Stain Removal Precautions
Along with learning how to remove rust stains from clothes at home, it is also important to know what not to do when removing the rust stains:
- Never use chlorine bleach, as it causes a chemical reaction with rust that makes the stain permanent.
- Do not rub the stain harshly, as it can further set the rust into the fabric.
- If the rust stain has not been removed completely, then do not put such a cloth in the dryer machine, as heat can further set the stain.
- Always use cold water when pretreating the stain.
How to Prevent Rust Stains on Clothes?
Now that you learned how to remove rust stains from clothes at home, it’s also important to learn how to prevent rust stains on clothes:
- If you have a hard water supply, then use a water softener or consider using filtered water when washing clothes.
- Regularly check your washing machine to ensure it remains rust-free.
- Avoid using metal hangers for clothes; instead, use wood or plastic hangers.
- Use rust removers when washing clothes.
- Do not leave wet clothes in the washing machine for longer.
- Inspect the metal accessories on your clothes before washing them.
Rust stains on clothes are a great challenge to deal with, because they don’t always go away with regular washing. However, using the right home remedies like baking soda, salt, and lemon, you can effectively remove the rust stains from clothes. The key is to act quickly and follow the precautions when treating the rust stains to get 100% results.
So now, when your clothes get rust stained, just follow this guide on how to remove rust stains from clothes at home and see the results yourself.
Read Also: How to remove coffee stains from clothes.
FAQ
How do you get dried rust stains out of clothes?
To remove dried rust stains from clothes, apply lemon juice and salt to the stain, place the fabric in sunlight for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water and wash. For stubborn stains, use a commercial rust remover safe for fabrics and follow the label instructions.
What is the best homemade rust remover?
The best homemade rust remover is a mix of lemon juice and salt. The acid in lemon juice breaks down rust, while salt helps lift the stain, making it an effective and natural solution for small rust spots.
What is the fastest way to remove rust from clothes?
The fastest way to remove rust from clothes is to use a commercial rust remover containing oxalic acid. Apply it directly to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse and wash as usual. This method works quicker than natural remedies like lemon and salt.