RUST STAINS - How to Remove Rust Stains - Rust stain consists of tiny iron oxide particles, plus some treatments actually set the stain rather than remove it. Use a little chemistry know-how to successfully remove a rust stain. Do not make the stain worse by applying chlorine bleach, as this will react with the rust and may intensify the discoloration. Remove as much of the rust stain as possible before applying a treatment. Squeeze lemon juice onto the stain, thoroughly saturating the spot. Sprinkle salt onto the lemon juice. Allow the salt and juice to react with the stain for 24 hours. Refresh the lemon juice to keep the spot damp.

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Rust Stains

How to Remove Rust Stains

Use a little chemistry — and simple products or produce you have at home

by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. 

Rust stains can be a challenge to remove because the stain consists of tiny iron oxide particles, plus some treatments actually set the stain rather than remove it.

Use a little chemistry know-how to successfully remove a rust stain.

Materials You Will Need

You will need only one of the following:

·           Lemon or lemon juice and table salt

·           Mild dishwashing soap and ammonia

Using Salt and Lemon Juice

1.    Do not make the stain worse by applying chlorine bleach, as this will react with the rust and may intensify the discoloration.

2.    Remove as much of the rust stain as possible before applying a treatment.

3.    Squeeze lemon juice onto the stain, thoroughly saturating the spot.

4.    Sprinkle salt onto the lemon juice.

5.    Allow the salt and juice to react with the stain for 24 hours. Refresh the lemon juice to keep the spot damp.

6.    Blot the stain. Do not rub it, as this may damage the fibers.

7.    Rinse the spot with cool water. Repeat the process if needed.

Using Dish Soap

1.    Apply a mixture of 1/4 teaspoon of mild liquid dish soap in 1 cup of warm water. Thoroughly saturate the stain and allow the solution to react for at least five minutes. The surfactants in the detergent will help to lift the rust particles.

2.    Blot the stain with a clean white cloth or paper towel and rinse it with cool water.

3.    Repeat this process until the stain is removed or until no more discoloration is picked up by the cloth.

4.    Thoroughly rinse the spot with water to remove all traces of cleaning solution.

5.    If the rust stain persists, saturate the stain with a solution of 2 tablespoons of ammonia in 4 cups of warm water.

6.    Blot the spot with a white cloth or paper towel.

7.    Rinse the spot with cool water.

8.    For carpeting or upholstery, layer clean cloths or paper towels over the spot to remove any moisture.

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Introduction

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor. 

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

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https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-remove-rust-stains-606157