How to Remove Rust Stains from Clothes with Home Methods

Here's how to deal with this difficult-to-remove stain

Alex1 week ago

9 3 minutes read

How to remove rust stains from clothes with home methods

There are several tricks, natural products and home remedies to know to remove rust stains from clothes, one of the most difficult stains to treat. Let’s see in detail what they are.

Contents

1 How to remove rust stains from clothes: the best remedies
2 More on this topic

If there is a stain on clothes that turns out to be truly terrible and stubborn, it is rust. But from today, thanks to our guide, you will no longer have to throw away your favorite blouse, or use products that are harmful to you or the environment.

In fact, there are some proven effective home methods that we will describe below.

Important: before putting them into practice, always remember to check the label of your clothes and do a test on a small hidden part of the fabric to make sure that the method does not damage the garment.

How to remove rust stains from clothes: the best remedies

Here are our tips to solve the problem and save a few dollars in the process.

Fine salt and lemon juice

Apply fine salt and plenty of lemon juice to the stain, which you will have to leave to act for at least a couple of hours.
Do not rinse the garment, but be sure to let it dry in the sun.
Finally, gently rub (this is important, very gently!) the stain with an old toothbrush or a soft cloth.
Next, repeat the operation if necessary or leave the ingredients to act longer. If the stain has disappeared, proceed to wash the garment as usual.

Lime juice also works the same way. To improve the effectiveness of this remedy, and if the tissue allows it, use a potato peel to rub.

Baking soda and water

The same result can also be obtained by forming a sort of slightly abrasive paste, based on baking soda and water. So, first, mix baking soda and water to create a paste.
Spread the paste over the rust stain.
Leave it on for about 30 minutes.
Gently scrub the stain with an old toothbrush or soft cloth.
Wash the garment as usual.

Alternatively, you can apply baking soda directly to the stain and scrub with a toothbrush, a small brush or the pulp of a potato. Be careful not to apply too much force, especially on delicate fabrics such as silk.

Remember that you still have to leave it to act for at least half an hour, but for more visible stains it is better even for a few hours.

FOCUS: Vinegar and baking soda: the best products for house cleaning

White wine vinegar and fine salt

Test with vinegar and fine salt according to the procedure explained for lemon and salt.

Using the same method, you can try soaking aluminum foil in white wine vinegar, and use it to lightly rub the fabrics.
Leave it for a few hours and leave the garment to air dry.
Repeat the operation if necessary and then wash the garment as usual.
Never tumble dry, as it can further set the stain on fabrics.

Citric acid and salt

This procedure is also very similar to the previous ones:

Mix one part citric acid with one part salt to create a paste.
Spread the paste on the rust stain.
Leave to act for about 30 minutes.
Scrub the stain gently with an old toothbrush or soft cloth.
Finally, wash your garment as usual.

Dish soap

Dish soap has also been found to be an efficient way of cleaning rust-stained clothing or upholstery.

Dissolve a teaspoon of dish soap in a glass of warm water
Scrub with a toothbrush and a brush and then hang the garment.
Repeat the operation or wash the garment, by hand or in the washing machine.

Laundry detergent

Even laundry detergent, used in a particular way, can come to the rescue. How to do? Simple:

Apply laundry detergent directly to the rust stain.
Leave it on for at least 30 minutes.
Gently scrub the stain with an old toothbrush or soft cloth.
Wash normally.

Onion juice and salt

Finally, a truly old-fashioned method, the classic grandmother’s remedy:

Cut an onion in half and rub the cut side on the rust stain.
Sprinkle salt liberally on the stain.
Leave it on for about an hour.
Scrub the stain gently with an old toothbrush or soft cloth.
Wash as usual.

Remember: after treating the rust stain, it is important to wash the item as usual to remove any residue of the product used. Also, avoid using high heat (for example, the dryer) until the stain is completely gone, as the heat may further set the rust into the fabric.