Every person prefers to wear clean and neat clothes. But even the most ardent neat freaks sometimes end up with stains on fabric. These can be sauces, compotes, coffee and other products. There are a great many ways to get rid of them: from high-quality washing powders to special stain removers. But sometimes you have to deal with such extraordinary contaminants as rust.
- Glycerin with chalk
- Lemon
Causes of rust stains on clothing
There are quite a lot of them. These may be metal objects forgotten in pockets, which during the washing process begin to oxidize and leave corresponding stains. The cause of rust marks can be metal elements on clothing: zippers, buttons, emblems, jewelry, and so on. You can accidentally touch rusty objects on the street: a door handle, a garage lock, a crowbar, a pole, a bench. A steam iron can also leave rust marks or stains.
But don’t despair in advance and say goodbye to your favorite things. There are many methods that can help remove rust. There are simple options, and there are more complex ones, but they are all effective. It is worthwhile to dwell on each of them in more detail.
Preparatory work
Before you start fighting stains, you need to prepare the item. Then the procedure will be as effective as possible. It doesn't matter what color the fabric is. There are general rules for white, colored, dark clothes. If you do everything correctly, you can quickly deal with rust and keep the material intact.
- Special products are always applied from the wrong side of the fabric. This will help avoid streaks that can occur if not cleaned correctly.
- If clothes become dusty, they need to be dusted off.
- The area to be treated should be as clean as possible.
- The product should not be applied by hand. For these purposes, use cotton swabs or disks. They are more convenient, safer, and the fabric does not deteriorate.
- Rust should be removed immediately after it is discovered. The faster you do this, the higher the chances of getting an excellent result. Old stains take much longer and are more difficult to remove.
- The cleaning product you choose should first be tried in a small concentration. This will make it possible to understand how the tissue will react to such a procedure. If streaks of paint become visible or it has changed its shade, then it is best to put this product aside and choose a new, more suitable one.
Adviсe
Despite the fact that each product called “anti-rust” has its own instructions for use, there are general cleaning rules.
To keep things looking presentable for as long as possible, it is recommended:
- Remove rust from fabric immediately after it appears, as old stains are difficult to treat.
- Do not wet the stain before applying the product. Water only promotes the spread of rust along the fibers.
- In order not to harm the product, you need to read the information about caring for it on the label that is sewn into the seam.
- After applying the product, rub the stained area in the direction from the border of the stain towards the center, trying not to create streaks.
- When using aggressive compounds with a pungent odor, you must wear gloves and clean with the window open.
- To prevent the appearance of orange stains, it is not advisable to dry things on metal surfaces.
You will find a lot of useful information about rust removal in this section of the site.
Types of rust preventatives on clothes
You can remove rust stains using household chemicals and folk remedies.
| Household chemicals | Dish detergents, chlorine-free formulations, bleaches, stain removers, household chemicals |
| Folk remedies | All kinds of acids, vinegar, glycerin, chalk, toothpaste, powders, turpentine. |
They all help great, you just need to know how to use them correctly. But there are certain restrictions. Thus, bleach on colored fabric can leave light stains, so it is recommended to use it very carefully and selectively. It is worth knowing that modern bleaches are able to cope with rust if it is “fresh”. After even a few days, much less weeks, they may be useless. Then the only hope is in proven folk methods.
Other folk recipes
It is not at all necessary to use chemicals where you can get rid of a rust stain using other available methods. When choosing a suitable product, we take into account the quality, texture, color and density of the fabric from which the product is made.
Here's how to remove rust stains from clothes using lemon. To remove rusty particles embedded in textile fibers, wrap lemon slices in cotton cloth and apply to the stain. Or replace the pulp with squeezed lemon juice, allowing it to soak into the fabric. Then iron the wet area, after covering it with a paper towel. If necessary, repeat the procedure and then rinse the product.
How to remove rust stains from clothes using toothpaste. The method also gives the desired effect. You need to slightly dilute the paste with water and apply a thin layer to the brown stains. After an hour, rinse, then wash.
How to remove rust from white clothes
This is quite complex and painstaking work, since achieving a perfectly white color is very difficult, but possible. There are several effective methods that are worth using.
Wine acid
Acid and salt are taken and combined in equal proportions. Add a little clean water to obtain a paste. This mixture is then applied in a thick layer to the contaminated area. The place with the pulp is placed on a jar or on the bottom of a deep plate and placed in open sunlight. After 25 - 40 minutes, the rust should disappear. Then the item is rinsed and washed.
Hydrochloric acid
We purchase a 2% acid solution, apply it with a cotton swab or disk to the contaminated area, wait for the rusty stain to go away. Take ammonia (3 tablespoons) and clean water (1 liter). The item should be rinsed well in this solution.
Attention! Hydrochloric acid can cause burns! You must work with it extremely carefully!
Lemon acid
Take an enamel bowl and put 20g of lemon in it. Pour in 125 grams of water and mix thoroughly. Bring the resulting solution to a warm state over the fire (but not to a boil). Place the contaminated area in a container with the solution and leave for 5 minutes. If the positive effect does not occur, then the procedure should be repeated again, then rinse the fabric under cold water.
Plumbing product
We choose a product that removes rust from plumbing fixtures. It can only be used for cotton. The product is applied to the rusty spots, the fabric is gently rubbed until foam forms. Afterwards the item is rinsed well and washed with washing powder. This method can defeat even rust stains that have formed quite a long time ago.
However, there are certain restrictions on the use of acids.
| Possible use | Batiste, calico, jersey, linen, corduroy, denim, poplin, satin, tweed, cotton, flannel, drape. |
| Use prohibited | Wool, suede, velor, leather, some synthetic fabrics. |
How to remove rust from colored clothes
Brightly colored fabrics are much more difficult to clean than white ones. Colored paint can bleed and change tone, which will negatively affect the appearance of the item. But there are certain ways that will help save colored clothes from rust.
Glycerin with chalk
We take these components and mix them in equal parts. Add water and stir until the mixture resembles liquid sour cream. Thoroughly cover the dirty area with this mixture and leave for 24 hours. Afterwards, wash the item thoroughly.
Acetic acid
Not at all dangerous for colored materials. We make a solution based on 7 liters of clean water (warm) and 5 tablespoons of acid. We place the dirty item there and leave it for 12 hours. After this procedure, the rust is easily washed off.
Methods for colored fabrics
Not all methods suitable for washing light-colored materials can remove rust from colored clothing. So, you cannot use bleaches and products containing chlorine, otherwise the fabric may lose its brightness. High temperatures also contribute to the molting of things.
Traditional methods will help remove rust stains:
- Equal parts of glycerin and chalk are mixed and applied to the stain. When the laundry is completely dry, you need to wash it.
- Dilute citric acid in water to medium concentration, soak the required area in the resulting liquid for 20-30 minutes. After this, the rust can be removed using regular washing.
- There is a method that will not only cope with complex stains, but will also restore and fix the bright color of a blouse or sweater. 5 tbsp. l. vinegar mixed with 5 liters of water, soak clothes in the liquid for 6-7 hours, wash.
- All kinds of stain removers also help to remove rust stains, but it is worth remembering that the chosen product is suitable for the type and color of the material.
How to remove rust with folk remedies
They are considered the most effective ways to put clothes in order without resorting to dry cleaning. These remedies are simple and not financially expensive.
Lemon
It can be used to remove rust from almost any fabric surface. The peel is removed from the lemon, and the pulp is laid out on a piece of gauze and wrapped. This device is placed on the dirty area and ironed. To completely remove dirt, the action must be repeated a couple of times.
Lemon juice
Squeeze lemon juice into a container and wet a sponge there, which is used to wipe off stains. Then take a paper napkin and cover the wiped surface. The napkin is ironed with an iron. If the stains do not disappear the first time, you must repeat the procedure. If stains have formed on thin fabric, then you should not use heating, but simply treat the dirty area with lemon juice and leave it like that for 15 minutes. The clothes are then washed well.
Vinegar with added salt
Such products are used when there is a need to clean denim from rust. These two components must be mixed to the consistency of a thick paste. The volume is selected independently, depending on the level and volume of contamination. The composition is applied to the stains and left for a couple of hours. The item rinses and washes well.
Acid mixture
If the stains are already old, and you want to save the item, then you can take 5 grams of oxalic and acetic acid, mix them, dilute them with a glass of water. The mixture is slightly heated to a temperature of 40 - 45 degrees. The dirty area is lowered into it and left for 3 hours. Afterwards the item is washed well.
Dishwashing detergent and glycerin
Such components should be used to remove rust from delicate materials. The product and glycerin are combined in a ceramic container in equal proportions. The resulting composition is applied to the dirty area and left for two hours. Afterwards the item is washed well.
Baby powder and turpentine
Quite an unusual product, but it copes with stains. The powder should not contain any impurities. Take turpentine and carefully, using a cotton swab or disk, apply it to the dirty area, being careful not to touch clean areas. The turpentine-treated fabric is sprinkled with baby powder, covered with paper napkins or a towel, and left for 15 minutes. Afterwards, the cleaned area is ironed through a sheet of album.
Toothpaste
This is not the most effective method, but if there is no alternative, it can be used. Toothpaste is mixed with a small amount of clean water. The composition is applied liberally to rusty spots and left for an hour. Afterwards the item is washed well.
Vinegar
They are saved by both colored and snow-white things. The main condition is that the material should not be afraid of an acidic environment. Take an enamel bowl and pour in 2 tablespoons of 9% vinegar and 1 glass of water. The solution is heated to a temperature of 50-60 degrees, the contaminated area is placed there and left for 5 minutes. To rinse the product, use clean water, to which ammonia is added at the rate of 1 tbsp. per 1000ml. water. Afterwards the item is washed as usual.
How to clean clothes and linen from rust
Special and folk remedies will help you get rid of rust at home. Both chemicals and improvised means will get rid of unpleasant marks on textiles and leather. The cleaning method is selected according to the type of fabric.
Industrial products
Special stain removers are designed to become reliable assistants for the modern consumer. It is enough to strictly follow the instructions - and there will be no traces of rust left. Rust Remover, FeedBack OXY Color, Dr. have proven themselves well. Beckmann, ARENAS-exet 3, Stain Ex 3, Dr. CLEAN.
A universal stain remover is good because it helps solve several problems at once.
Table: features of using stain removers
| Name | Peculiarities | Purpose |
| Rust Remover based on phosphoric acid |
|
|
| Feedback OXY Color |
| Oxygen stain remover for colored and white items. |
| Dr. Beckmann stain remover |
| Universal stain remover. Removes rust stains from thin tulle. |
| ARENAS-exet 3 |
| A special stain remover, used for preliminary cleaning of rust before machine washing. |
| Stain Ex 3 |
| Professional stain remover with oxalic acid. |
| Dr. CLEAN |
| Universal stain remover. |
Before using any industrial stain remover, you must read the instructions and follow them strictly.
Typically, the products are applied to traces of oxidation, left for 5 minutes and washed off. The products are washed with soap and checked to see if the contamination has disappeared. More than one treatment may be required.
Since not all materials are equally resistant, it is wise to test the result on an inconspicuous area of the item before use. The product should be used if the result is positive. Otherwise, there is a high risk of hopelessly damaging the material.
The disadvantage of all industrial products is their considerable cost and high allergenicity.
Express methods for removing fresh stains
Removing fresh dirt is much easier. It is important to start work immediately after discovering the problem, before the rust penetrates deep into the threads. Washing will not help: the stain will change color from brown to yellow, spreading across the fabric.
The fastest way is to use stain removers. Effective products that are used against rust and on plumbing fixtures are based on oxalic acid, for example “Fixanal”, “Sarma”, and acetic acids. The preparations are applied to the contamination and left until the reaction begins. Then the item is rinsed and washed.
Be sure to wear gloves. It is better to act outdoors, or at least with an open window for ventilation.
Traditional methods of removing rust
If you are unhappy with the use of stain removers for various reasons, choose traditional methods. Acids are most effective against traces of iron oxidation.
Lemon acid
You can always have citric acid or ascorbic acid at home. There are several ways to prepare the remedy for different things. Classic recipe:
- 20 grams of the substance, diluted with half a glass of water, stirred.
- The mixture is heated without boiling. Soak the product in the solution and leave for 5–10 minutes.
- Then rinse. For old stains, one approach is not enough; repeated treatment is required.
An obvious plus is that the fabric is not damaged. It is safe to soak not only the contaminated area, but also the entire product.
Pour hot lemon juice over stains on dark clothes. The products are rinsed several times and ironed with a heated iron through dry gauze.
Instead of juice, you can place a slice of lemon wrapped in gauze on top of the rusty mark.
Ironing is therefore not suitable for melting artificial fabrics. Viscose, nylon and other materials are washed with the addition of half a glass of lemon juice and the same amount of water. You can replace fresh juice with ascorbic acid . After treatment, soak for 15 minutes in liquid powder and wash.
To clean denim, soak a sponge in citrus juice. The dirt is covered with a napkin and ironed through it.
You can pour lemon juice over the stain several times and heat it with a hairdryer the same number of times. At the end of the treatment, the product is washed in a soapy solution.
A swimsuit spoiled by red stains is covered with ascorbic acid to bleach the stains, or the stain is wiped off with a solution of ascorbic acid and hot water. The cleaned item is rinsed with clean water and washed.
Immerse in an acidic solution and a soiled towel for half an hour. Stubborn stains are left for another 15 minutes. Rinse the towel with cool water. If traces of rust remain, hand washing will help. Contamination is first vigorously scrubbed with liquid powder.
Lemon juice and salt will help remove stains from towels:
- The towel is placed on several paper napkins with the spots facing up.
- Sprinkle dirt with salt.
- Cut the lemon in half. Rub the pulp intensively into the area with the stain.
- Cover the stained area with a few more paper towels. Leave in the sun to dry for 2 hours.
- Gradually the stain fades. Next is regular washing.
If you don’t have time to wash, you can stretch the cloth over a container of boiling water, sprinkle the stain with citric acid, or pour citrus juice on it. Leave the product for 5 minutes and rinse. If the stains have not disappeared, repeat the procedure.
Video: how to remove rust with citric acid
The method of using sodium hydrosulfite (thiosulfate), which can be purchased at a pharmacy, is similar. The only difference is in the dosage. Take 20 grams of powder per glass of water. But this method is not suitable for colored clothes, since the paint on the fabric burns out.
Tartaric, acetic, oxalic acids
Tartaric acid with salt is also effective:
- The components are mixed equally.
- Add cool water to a creamy consistency.
- The product is applied to the stain, slightly pulling out the area with the dirt.
- Place the product in the sun.
- The cleaned fabric is rinsed, washed, and rinsed again.
9% table vinegar is effective:
- 2 large spoons of the product are diluted with a glass of water and heated to 70–80C.
- The stained item is soaked, leaving the item until the stain disappears. The time varies depending on the persistence of the contamination and its size.
Dilute acetic acid works well:
- Dilute 2-3 large tablespoons of acetic acid in a glass of cool water.
- Soak the item in the solution for 2–3 hours, then rinse and wash.
An effective cleaner for silk and wool products:
- 5 large spoons of acid are diluted in 7 liters of heated water.
- Leave the item soaked in the resulting solution for 10–12 hours.
- Then the product is washed.
To remove rusty stains from a knitted item, place a white cloth on the table or ironing board. On top of it is a thing with rust stains. Cellophane or film is laid out inside the item so that the acid does not get on clean areas. Material is placed on the front side of the product to absorb excess liquid. The stains are treated with acid from the edges to the center. The item is thoroughly rinsed in warm water and washed.
It is better to experiment with acids if safer methods have already been tried
For sweaters and shirts made of thick textiles, a preparation made from a mixture of acetic and oxalic acids is effective:
- Take 5 grams of each component and dilute 2 liters of water.
- Heat and immerse the product in the solution for at least 3 hours.
- Then rinse thoroughly and wash.
You can remove traces of a rusty battery from tulle using the same method. Be sure to wear gloves.
To get rid of rusty stains on cotton linen, use a mixture of potassium oxalate and potash:
- Several crystals of potassium oxalate are diluted in 150 ml of water.
- Prepare an aqueous solution of 60 grams of potash and 200 ml of water. Combine both mixtures and add water to 500 ml.
- Warm up, but do not boil.
- Soak the soiled item in the resulting product for 5 minutes.
- After the stain disappears, you can rinse the item with ammonia or soda.
To get rid of the vinegar smell, rinse textiles in a solution of half a large spoon of ammonia per liter of water.
When diluting, you need to add acid to water to avoid strong splashing and contact of acid on the skin.
Glycerin and chalk
A non-corrosive paint remover will help remove rust from colored items:
- Mix crushed chalk with glycerin until sour cream thickens.
- Leave for a day without rinsing.
- They wash it.
A mixture of glycerin, water and soap is universal. All ingredients are taken equally and mixed. Leave for 24 hours and wash.
True, you won’t be able to quickly get the desired result. But the structure of the fabric will be preserved and its color will not disappear. The method is ideal for cleaning colored linen and clothing.
Finely grated laundry soap is dissolved in warm water and the same amount of glycerin is added.
You can replace soap with tooth powder. The replacement will not affect the effectiveness of the mixture.
Items made from fabrics that require careful handling will be freed from rust by a mixture of glycerin and dishwashing detergent. They are mixed equally and the mixture is applied to the stain for at least 2 hours. Then the products are washed.
Glycerin is effective for cleaning leather and suede:
- Mix 2 large spoons of glycerin with a glass of laundry soap solution.
- A sponge is moistened with the mixture, wiped over the item until the stain disappears and left to dry to then give the item shine.
Ammonia, peroxide
To clean silk and wool, mix 150 grams of ammonia with 50 grams of peroxide.
- Moisten a sponge with the mixture and wipe the curtain with the solution.
- Rinse the product.
To clean rust from suede items, dilute 1 part ammonia with 5 parts water. Soak a clothes brush in the solution and carefully brush over the stain several times.
Ammonia also helps when cleaning the curtains in the bathroom:
- Mix 30 grams of ammonia with 10 grams of peroxide.
- Soak a sponge in the mixture and wipe the curtain with the solution.
- The curtain is rinsed in cool water.
Whatever household chemical you choose, be sure to wear gloves to avoid damaging your skin.
Tomato juice, gasoline
Among the effective ways to remove iron oxidation from clothing, there are quite unusual ones. For example, using tomato juice:
- Apply freshly squeezed ripe tomato juice to the stain.
- The product is left for 20 minutes.
- Then the product is rinsed and washed in a soap solution.
On fresh traces of oxidation on natural or artificial leather, apply a thick layer of toothpaste for 10 minutes, mixed with a small amount of water.
Gasoline will remove rust stains from leather. Soak a cotton pad in it and carefully wipe off the dirt. To remove the characteristic “aroma,” rub the item with a slice of lemon.
A mixture of gasoline and talc will clean white skin. It is applied to the dirt, left until dry and removed with a soft brush or napkin.
Plumbing cleaning products
If all means are powerless, you can take radical measures by trying drugs not intended for tissues. But this method is only suitable for white cotton items. It is possible that only strong fabric, well dyed, will work. But such a risk is justified only if other methods fail.
- Apply a plumbing cleaner to the dirt.
- The textile is rubbed gently until foam forms.
- Then the item is rinsed and washed.
Thick cotton items can be cleaned well with Silit. It contains acids. Therefore, you should act carefully. Apply the product with a cotton pad for 10 minutes. Then the item is thoroughly rinsed and washed.
Sanox helps restore a presentable appearance to a shirt by removing stains from metal buttons. Apply the anti-rust and limescale agent to a cotton swab and gently clean the stained areas. Then wash with powder.
Apply the substance to a moistened, not a dry item. Be sure to rinse the product thoroughly after processing. It is necessary to test plumbing products on an inconspicuous area before applying.
Special products for removing rust work well when cleaning bathroom curtains:
- “Sanita” and “Adrilan” are applied to the spots.
- Leave the products for a few minutes and wipe the curtain with a damp sponge.
Video: how to remove rust with a special product
Machine washable
Using an automatic washing machine will improve the results. But most of the methods involve pre-treatment with special compounds.
After this, the products are washed in a machine with highly active powders, adding a stain remover to them.
It is useless to immediately wash things with rust stains: the problem will only get worse when rust and water interact. And after pre-treatment of contaminants, it is recommended to wash in warm, not hot water.
The products are rubbed by hand, as in hand washing. Only after such manipulations can you load them into the machine. A stain remover is added to the usual powder. Be sure to rinse things several times to remove stain remover residues and specific odors from available products.
Video: how to remove rust with washing powder
Be sure to choose a quality detergent. Then they first try this method, moving on to others if they fail.
If the rust stains are barely noticeable, you can try limiting yourself to machine washing only. However, the method does not guarantee a positive result. And it is much more difficult to remove the traces of oxidation remaining after such treatment.
Household rust removers
Household chemicals work well against such contaminants. But the product must be chosen so that it does not contain chlorine . Not all fabrics can withstand such treatment while maintaining their original condition.
Often this procedure leads to a change in the color of the material. Therefore, before purchasing bottled chemicals for these purposes, you should carefully read the attached instructions. It would be a good idea to study the fabric characteristics indicated on the clothing label. The main point is that you need to try it in a place that is less noticeable. After reviewing the result, you can understand whether it is worth removing rust stains with this composition.
The rules for removing stains are as follows:
- Apply the chemical to the stain carefully so as to capture as little uncontaminated areas as possible;
- the item is left for 15 - 20 minutes;
- The clothes are washed using a washing machine, selecting intensive washing. It is advisable to add a stain remover to the water.
If rust appears on the jacket, you can use an oxygen stain remover. It does not have a detrimental effect on the color of the fabric, as well as on its structure, because it does not contain chlorine. The main thing is not to forget to carefully read the instructions so as not to come across certain contraindications, and follow them completely to achieve maximum effect.
You can also watch an interesting video on the topic:
Useful tips for removing rust from clothes
There are several rules that must be followed in order to save an item from rust stains with minimal losses. They are as follows:
- Stains must be removed as soon as they appear on the fabric. A new stain is much easier to remove than an old one.
- The rust is first removed from the fabric, and then the item is washed. The reverse process may worsen the situation.
- It is not recommended to remove rust from clothes. It is best to remove it with a vacuum cleaner.
- If you decide to use acids or ammonia, first open the windows in the room. Try to keep small children and pets away from the room.
- Be sure to wear gloves to protect the skin of your hands from the harmful effects of the compounds used.
- The bleaches purchased should not contain chlorine. Its presence can aggravate the situation, since the rust will not only not go away, it will eat into the fabric, making it impossible to completely clean it. The damaged item will have to be thrown away.
- After each wash, you need to carefully check the drum for metal objects that have fallen out of your pockets. They can subsequently cause rust stains to appear on clean things.
- Before starting the cleaning procedure, you should first test the composition on an area of the fabric that is invisible.
- It is necessary to apply the composition only from the wrong side of the fabric.
- If the methods you have tried to remove rust from things have not yielded positive results, you should seek help from specialists by visiting a dry cleaner. This will require significant costs, but you will be pleased with the results.
How to remove rust from clothes at home: 14 ways to remove stains
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