How to Get Rust Stains Out of Clothes and Carpets

Getting a rust stain on your favorite dress or shirt can be very disheartening. Rust stains can occur if your cloth gets scratched with different objects such as rusted furniture, car, bikes, or other rusted items. You might think of throwing away the cloth because of the tough stain, but wait! We have got some solutions for you. In this article, you will find various ways to remove those hard rust stains from your beautiful clothes! So, without any further delay, let’s begin!

Steps You Should Follow to Remove Rust Stains from Clothes

Have a look at the following steps and adhere to the instructions properly to get the best result:

Step 1. The first thing that you must do, as soon as you notice the rust stain, is to brush out the excess rust particles with an old brush.

Step 2. Next, you have to put the stained area under running cold water. If the pressure of the water is high, it will be better. Doing this will help you to dilute the stained area, thereby removing some amount of rust stains.

Step 3. Use any of the following home remedies according to the availability of items at your home:

Baking Soda with Laundry Detergent: In a tub, make a solution of three tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent with some cold water. Allow the stained cloth to soak in that solution for at least 30 minutes. Now, take the cloth out of it and remove the excess water. Lastly, wash it with warm water. Let it dry up completely to wear again.

White Vinegar: Lay out the stained area over a plain surface and put some white distilled vinegar over it. Spread the vinegar over the stain properly with your fingers and let it sit for at least 15-20 minutes. Now, take a wet towel and blot the area. Then, lay the cloth under the sun so the stain fades away. Lastly, wash it as usual.

Lemon Juice with Salt: Put the rusted area over a clean towel under direct sunlight. Sprinkle lemon juice and salt over the stained area, and rub it gently with your fingers or soft toothbrush. Now, allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes, and then wash it with water and laundry detergent.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Make a mixture of 3-5 drops of hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon of baking soda, and one teaspoon of tartar cream, and apply the paste directly over the stain. Let it soak for a minimum of 30 minutes. Now, wash it with water and detergent as usual.

Toothpaste: Apply some amount of toothpaste directly on the rust stain and spread it well. Take a dampened cloth, blot the area and wait a few minutes to let it sit. Lastly, wash off the cloth as usual.

Commercial Rust Remover: Apply any store-bought rust remover or stain remover directly on the stained area. Allow it to sit for some minutes, and then wash the cloth as usual. Also, follow the other instructions on the rust remover bottle for better results.

How to Remove Rust Stains from Upholstery and Carpets?

Use the back of the spoon or a butter knife to remove the excess rust particles, and take a vacuum cleaner to remove those unwanted particles. Now, make a mixture of one tablespoon of ammonia, two tablespoons of dishwasher liquid soap, and two cups of warm water. Put a clean towel in the solution and take that dampened towel to blot the stained area. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Now, dab the stained area with a dry cloth. Lastly, rinse the area with plain water and let it completely dry. You are done- your carpet or upholstery will become rust-free!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rust stain my cloth permanently?

Rust will not permanently stain your cloth if you take the correct steps at the right time. Do not panic and follow any of the above-mentioned ways to treat the stains. Remember that chlorine bleach can make the rust stain permanent, so be aware.

Can I remove old rust stains from my clothes?

You will be glad to know that the answer is yes. You can use the lemon juice method for old rust stains. If nothing works, please take the cloth to a professional cleaner before you start thinking of throwing it away.

How to remove tough rust stains?

If the rust stain is getting very hard to remove, put the cloth in a solution of white vinegar and cold water and let it soak overnight. Then wash the cloth with laundry detergent and hot water. If spots of rust still remain on the cloth, you can apply the stain remover.

Can I remove rust stains with bleach?

The answer is no. Bleach is an oxidizing agent, so it will settle the rust stain on your cloth that will become more difficult to remove. So, never apply bleach directly on the rust stains.

Should I take my rusted cloth to a cleaner?

If, unfortunately, none of the home remedies work out for you, or if the fabric care label states “dry clean only”, you must not try anything by yourself and take the cloth to a professional cleaner as soon as possible.