Rust is bad enough on any set of clothes but it can be especially bad on white clothes since it stands out so much more. It’s not as easy to get rid of rust as you would grease or dirt but with a few household items and some elbow grease, you can have your white shirts looking new again.
You can remove rust stains from white clothes with white vinegar or lemon. A soft cloth soaked in either of these will usually remove small rust stains after some light scrubbing. A little salt on the cloth can also be a good abrasive and add some extra cleaning power.
This article will give you a thorough breakdown of how to remove rust stains from white clothes. You will also get a few tips on what may also help remove the unsightly rust stains from your white clothes — and what you should avoid.
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1. Attend to Rust Stains Immediately
Rust stains are difficult to treat and remove overall, and waiting to treat the stain can make these already challenging stains much more difficult to remove. When rust stains sit on clothing for too long, there is a chance that the stain can permanently set.
The sooner a rust stain is acted on, the more likely you will be able to remove it. Letting a rust stain- or any other stain- sit overnight increases the chances that the stain will not come out of the fabric.
2. Use Lemon Juice or White Vinegar
Rust stains are not a common household stain, yet they are one of the most challenging ones to remove. While all stains should not be treated the same, this is particularly true for rust stains. Fortunately, with the right products, patience, and determination, you should be able to remove rust stains from white clothing.
In order to remove rust stains, you must first understand their makeup. Rust stains contain iron oxide, which can wreak havoc on surfaces that it comes in contact with.
To combat the iron dioxide in rust, you will need to use acidic products. There are some commercially produced rust removers, but they can be damaging to clothing. It is best to read the label on the product before purchasing and using it on clothing.
Further, commercially produced rust removers contain harsh chemicals and usually require some caution. Failing to do so could damage other surfaces the product comes in contact with or irritate your skin.
Using Lemon Juice to Remove Rust Stains
To remove rust stains from white clothes, you may have to look no further than your refrigerator. Fresh lemon, which is a highly acidic fruit, is one of the two recommended methods to remove rust stains from your white clothes.
This article pertains to white clothing specifically. However, if you have darker-colored clothing, lemon juice may not be the best option to remove rust stains as it could have a bleaching effect on the clothes.
Here’s how to use lemon juice to remove rust stains:
- To begin, first apply salt to the rust stain.
- Next, fully saturate the rust stain with lemon juice.
- Let the salt and lemon juice sit on the rust stain for at least ten minutes.
- After ten minutes have passed, blot the stained area with a clean white towel.
Using White Vinegar to Remove Rust Stains
White vinegar is superior to lemon juice when removing rust stains, but you will follow the same steps as you would with the lemon juice with only a slight variation.
Here’s how to use vinegar to remove rust stains:
- Saturate the rust stain with the white vinegar just as you would with the lemon juice.
- Allow the vinegar to soak into the clothes. Aim for a minimum 30-minute soak, but up to two hours is considered safe.
- Finally, you will need to blot at the stain with a clean white towel.
3. Blot at Rust Stains
Your first attempt to remove a stain may be to rub a stain out. However, a stain should never be rubbed at. Rubbing a stain will not help lift the stain. In fact, it only drives the stain deeper into the fabric.
The best method to lift rust stains is by blotting at them with a clean cloth. As I mentioned above, heat should be avoided so never blot with hot water as it can set the stain.
4. Set the White Clothes Out in the Sun
Sunlight is an excellent stain remover. When using either of the above methods, the rust stain is more likely to disappear if you let it sit out in the sun.
You may be wondering just how the sun serves as a stain remover. The sun’s rays consist of approximately ten percent ultraviolet radiation, and even less of these UV rays reach the ground. The ultraviolet radiation breaks down the molecules in the stains, and the stain is no longer able to hold.
You should first apply the lemon or vinegar to the rust stain as directed, then lay it out flat in direct sunlight.
The best way to use the sun to remove rust stains is by hanging the garments on a clothing line using clothespins. If hanging the clothes outside is not an option, you can place them on a flat indoor surface that gets direct sunlight.
Two to three hours should do the trick. If the rust stain is particularly stubborn, you can repeat the process another day rather than leaving it out for hours at a time on the same day.
5. Launder After Treating Rust Stains
After you have treated the rust stain, first properly check and ensure the rust stain is truly gone. Rust stains can be stubborn hanging on to your clothes in lighter shades. This makes it necessary to check each of your affected clothes thoroughly.
If the stain isn’t completely gone (even if it’s very light now), you will need to repeat the steps above before you proceed.
If the rust stain is no longer visible, you can move on to the next step of the process: laundering the garment. This step is relatively easy.
Essentially, you’re following your usual laundry routine for white clothes with a few modifications.
Mainly, you should air-dry the garment after this first washing as opposed to a heat dry. You should also use cold water throughout the process and avoid bleach.
Avoiding heat and bleach is key here for a few reasons which I’ll cover in the next section.
6. Keep the Clothes Away From Heat and Bleach
As bad as rust stains are, the situation can easily get worse once you launder or expose them to heat. Bleach is a common choice for white clothes for its stain removal properties as well as washing in hot water. While it’s good for a wide range of applications, you should never use chlorine bleach or heat on rust stains.
Always Avoid Bleach
You may be tempted to use chlorine bleach to remove rust stains. After all, chlorine bleach is a tried and true go-to to whiten whites and remove other stains. However, when it comes to rust stains, it is best to avoid bleach at all costs.
There’s a bit of chemistry involved but the summary is that the chlorine in bleach and the iron from rust are highly reactive. As a result, using a chlorine bleach on rust stains can significantly worsen it, making it a lot harder to remove.
Avoid Heat
Heat can also make rust stains set. Because of this, you will need to avoid applying any heat, including washing, heat drying, and ironing until the stain is completely gone.
The clothes dry is exceptionally hot; probably hotter than most of us realize. If you see hints of the rust stain, do not put the garment into the dryer. You will want to treat and rewash it before it goes into your clothes dryer.
7. Know When to Take Rust-Stained Clothes to a Professional
Sometimes, rust stains should not be treated at home. Clothing made of delicate fabric, like leather, rayon, silk, suede, or wool, should be taken to a dry cleaner.
The dry cleaner is a lot more experienced and will know how to remove stains without ruining the fabric in the process.
8. Find the Source of the Rust
If rust stains begin to appear on freshly laundered white clothes, your culprits are likely either your washing machine itself or your pipes. When water comes into contact with iron, rust may begin to form.
While pipes in most modern homes use PVC piping, older homes may have iron pipes. Likewise, the tub of your washer may become rusty. Over time, the rust may break away, depositing rust on your white clothing.
Finding the source of the rust will prevent the problem from recurring. While the fix may be pricey, it will save you from the misery of inspecting your clothing for rust stains and going through the steps above to treat stains as they appear.
A Word or Two in Closing
While rust stains can be stubborn, they are fortunately not a common household stain. Simple household staples like lemon juice and white vinegar can get rust stains out of your favorite white clothes easily.
However, it’s vital to always remember that heat will set the stain. Until the stain is completely gone, do not use hot water on it and air dry your clothes rather than using the dryer.
FAQs
How can I get rust stains out of white clothes? ›
Soak a cloth in distilled white vinegar and dab it on the stain. Don't overdo it or the stain will spread. Keep dabbing the stain with a fresh part of your cloth until you no longer see rust being absorbed.
Will hydrogen peroxide remove rust stains from clothes? ›YES, there is! Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile cleaner that can effectively remove tough stains such as these abhorrent rust stains. Its oxidizing and bleaching powers result because of its ability to form OH radicals that work against these stains and remove them like they never even existed in the first place.
What is the best rust remover for clothing? ›- Best overall: Evapo-Rust.
- Best rust + stain remover: Whink Rust Stain Remover.
- Best for heavy rust: WD-40 Specialist Rust Remover Soak.
- Best for household use: Iron Out Spray Rust Stain Remover.
- Best for heavy duty rust: Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter Metal Primer.
The acid in vinegar helps dissolve discoloration from rust, and the salt acts as an abrasive to help scrub the stain off. For small objects affected by rust (like keys), soak in a bowl of white vinegar for up to 24 hours and then rinse clean and dry.
Does Dawn remove rust stains? ›Here's what I found out about cleaning rust: Dawn dish soap and white vinegar: You can either pour the Dawn on the stain (it has to be Dawn), then the vinegar on top and mix them into a paste, or mix the two together in a spray bottle (if your stains are on a vertical surface).
Does OxiClean remove rust stains? ›OxiClean is not recommended for use on rust. Oxygen is a major ingredient in OxiClean and an essential contributor to rust. Better to go with a product like Whink Rust Stain Remover to clean rust from metals and rust stains from fabrics.
Does peroxide and Dawn remove stains? ›Hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing liquid is one of the best stain removers around. Nurses have long known that this is the magic solution to getting rid of blood stains, and you can also use it on stains like mustard, ketchup, and even red wine. Scrub until the stain is gone, then launder as usual.
Will WD 40 remove rust stains from clothes? ›However, if you are willing to go for a rust remover that works well with all types of fabrics and stains of all intensities, you should certainly opt for WD-40 Multi-Purpose Product. The liquid can also be used for removing notorious rust stains from garments like jacquard and jeans.
What is the number one rust remover? ›The Evapo-Rust Rust Remover earned our best overall pick because it's incredibly effective at removing years' worth of rust build up in just one application. The water-based formula is organic and non-toxic, so you won't have to worry about damaging surrounding materials like plastic or rubber.
What removes hard rust stains? ›Sprinkle the stain with lemon juice or white vinegar and salt. Allow the item to air-dry in the sun if possible. Launder with cold water, and then repeat the process as necessary.
How do you remove stubborn rust stains? ›
Use Distilled White Vinegar
While food-grade distilled white vinegar can be used, cleaning vinegar with a higher acidity is better for tough rust stains. For weekly cleaning of sinks, tubs, and shower walls, spray the vinegar on the rust stains. Use a scrub brush to clean the area and then rinse well.
To tackle items with significant corrosion, submerge your rusty tools or knives in a bowl of white vinegar and let them sit overnight or as long as 24 hours. Once they have had a good soak, remove them from the vinegar and scrub the rust off with steel wool, a scouring pad, or a wire brush.
Will bleach remove rust stains from white clothes? ›Bleach does not remove rust! Whatever you do, don't apply chlorine bleach to the rust or the rust stain – it may react with the rust and worsen the discoloration.DO scrub it off – if the rust is only superficial, you can scrub it off before you apply any rust removal solutions.
Does white or brown vinegar get rid of rust? ›But even if the rust is deep, it's a good idea to eliminate outer flakes of rust first, before using other methods. White vinegar. For more stubborn rust, try using white vinegar. The acetic acid in this common household product is acidic enough to dissolve rust.
Does toothpaste remove rust? ›Does toothpaste remove rust? Toothpaste can remove rust stains, but not rust itself. Apply a small amount to fabric and rub with a damp cloth, rinse, then wash as normal.
Can I use CLR to remove rust from clothing? ›Can CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover be used on clothes or fabric? No, CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover should never be used on clothing.
How long do you leave Dawn on a stain? ›Allow product to soak on stain for 5-10 minutes prior to washing. 3. Do not reapply Dawn® to the same spot and wash again.
What removes rust the fastest? ›Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda) The rusted item can either be dusted with baking soda, or made into a paste with water or vinegar. Apply to the areas and leave for a an hour or so then clean off with a brush.
What happens when you mix Dawn and hydrogen peroxide? ›“When you add peroxide to dish soap, it breaks down into oxygen and water. The soapy water then traps that oxygen, creating bubbles, making your dish soap extra foamy.”
What should not be mixed with hydrogen peroxide? ›Don't mix hydrogen peroxide with vinegar
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can be used on the same surface as long as it dries in between applications but they should never be mixed. When the two are mixed, it creates peracetic acid, which can harm the skin, eyes, throat, nose and lungs.
Can you mix Dawn baking soda and peroxide? ›
First, it's an amazing stain pre-treater. Mix together two tablespoons hydrogen peroxide, a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of dish soap. Spread the mixture over any stain; let it sit for a bit and then launder as directed.
Will Coca Cola remove rust? ›Coca-Cola is carbonated, which allows it to dissolve with metal oxides and break up rust on a variety of metals and alloys. Phosphoric acid also gives it rust-busting power, while citric acid makes it an effective stain remover.
What is the best chemical to remove rust? ›The most commonly used rust removing chemical is phosphoric acid. The solution creates a chemical reaction when applied to rust converting it to a water-soluble compound that can be scrubbed away quickly and easily.
What is the best soda to remove rust? ›Removing Rust Using Baking soda
We've seen that baking soda is abrasive enough to remove stubborn stains. In addition to this, when a mixture of baking soda and water comes into contact with rust, the rust dissolves in the resulting concentrated alkaline solution.
Allow your rusty items to soak for around ten minutes. Any stubborn rust spots should now be easier to scrub away.
Can you mix baking soda and white vinegar together? ›Although mixing vinegar and baking soda is not considered dangerous, you should still avoid mixing these in a container. Vinegar is acidic and basic soda is basic, so the by-products are sodium acetate, carbon dioxide, and water that are not toxic.
What do you mix with vinegar to remove rust? ›I'll explain how to remove rust on vintage hand tools in a cheap and easy way without dealing with harsh chemicals or paying to have it cleaned. All you need is some salt, vinegar, baking soda, denatured alcohol, some abrasives like a 3M pad or steel wool, and a mat for your work bench.
Will Clorox remove rust stains? ›Answer. Rust stains are particularly limited in what will effectively take them out. Most importantly, it's critical to note that rust stains can NOT be removed with Clorox® Regular Bleach2 (or any chlorine bleach for that matter). You need to use a rust remover product instead, which can be found at hardware stores.
Does rust permanently stain clothes? ›In some cases, rust stains on clothes may be permanent no matter what you do—but it's always worth a try. First, assuming your laundry machine isn't rusty, rewash the clothes in clear water with a strong detergent (again, do not use bleach). Next, use a commercial rust remover product like Magica® Rust Removers.
Does vinegar or hydrogen peroxide work on rust? ›Spray white vinegar onto the metal surface and wait 5 minutes for the corrosion process to begin. Next, mix 2 cups of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, 4 tablespoons of white vinegar, and 1½ teaspoons of table salt in a large spray bottle. Shake thoroughly, then soak the metal surface. Rust should start forming immediately.
Does acetone remove rust? ›
Forming when moisture begins to oxidize on metal, rust can cause a slew of problems, including staining and deteriorating the metal item beyond repair. Fortunately, you can remove rust from various surfaces using acetone.
Will OxiClean remove rust stains from clothes? ›OxiClean is not recommended for use on rust. Oxygen is a major ingredient in OxiClean and an essential contributor to rust. Better to go with a product like Whink Rust Stain Remover to clean rust from metals and rust stains from fabrics.
Does vinegar remove rust stains? ›To tackle items with significant corrosion, submerge your rusty tools or knives in a bowl of white vinegar and let them sit overnight or as long as 24 hours. Once they have had a good soak, remove them from the vinegar and scrub the rust off with steel wool, a scouring pad, or a wire brush.
What is the fastest way to remove rust stains? ›Method: Leave your rusty item in white vinegar submerged fully overnight. Once soaked, remove and scrape the rust with a metal brush or steel wool. For items that cannot be removed and submerged, you can soak a rag in white vinegar and wrap around the rusted area.
Will WD 40 remove rust from clothes? ›However, if you are willing to go for a rust remover that works well with all types of fabrics and stains of all intensities, you should certainly opt for WD-40 Multi-Purpose Product. The liquid can also be used for removing notorious rust stains from garments like jacquard and jeans.
Does toothpaste remove rust stains from clothes? ›Does toothpaste remove rust? Toothpaste can remove rust stains, but not rust itself. Apply a small amount to fabric and rub with a damp cloth, rinse, then wash as normal.
Can baking soda remove rust from clothes? ›Using a bucket, a sink or a bowl, create a soaking solution by adding 3 tablespoons of baking soda per gallon of cold water. Allow the garment to soak for up to 5 minutes, weighting the item with a white towel to keep it totally submerged.
Can you mix Dawn and OxiClean? ›probably at least a cup of the Oxy Clean and Biz, ½ - ¾ cup of Cascade and ⅓ cup of Dawn. if you are using a larger container, use more soap. then, mix it all up.
What is a natural rust remover? ›White vinegar.
The acetic acid in this common household product is acidic enough to dissolve rust. You can soak smaller things like earrings, wipe it onto a surface with an old cloth, or just pour it directly over rust spots or bolts and screws that have rusted together.
Coca-Cola is carbonated, which allows it to dissolve with metal oxides and break up rust on a variety of metals and alloys. Phosphoric acid also gives it rust-busting power, while citric acid makes it an effective stain remover.
Will straight vinegar remove rust? ›
Any stubborn rust spots should now be easier to scrub away. If you item is too big to soak, or cannot easily be removed, simply pour or spray vinegar directly over the rusty area; allow it to soak and scrub off the rust.