From a favorite metal zipper to an accidental brush with a rusty surface, rust stains on clothes can turn your wardrobe woes into a real challenge. Fear not, for we're here to unveil the secrets of rust stain removal and help you reclaim your garments from those stubborn reddish-brown marks.
Rust stains on clothes may seem like a formidable challenge, but armed with a few household ingredients and a pinch of patience, you can restore your garments to their former glory. Let's learn how to get rust out of clothes, so you can confidently bid farewell to those metallic stains!
What Causes Rust Stains on Clothes?
Rust stains occur when iron particles come into contact with moisture and oxygen. These iron particles can transfer onto fabrics, creating reddish-brown stains that seem intent on sticking around. Understanding the chemistry behind rust is the first step in effectively removing these stains.
How to Get Rust Out of Clothes
Rust is an unconventional stain, which requires some unconventional solutions! We’ll show you four options for removing rust from fabric.
Lemon Juice and Salt
- Squeeze lemon juice onto the rust stain and sprinkle a generous amount of salt over it. The citric acid in lemon and the abrasive action of salt can help break down the rust.
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Rinse in cold water.
- We recommend trying this in an inconspicuous place on the garment first to make sure it doesn’t react with the fabric, as lemon juice does have bleaching properties.
Baking Soda
- Create a paste using baking soda and water.
- Apply the paste to the stain and gently scrub with an old toothbrush. Baking soda's mild abrasive properties can help lift the rust, making it a great choice for removing rust stains from fabric.
Vinegar Soak
It’s time for our favorite pantry item slash cleaning MVP!
- Fill a bucket or sink with equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Soak the garment in the solution for a few hours or overnight. Vinegar's acidity can dissolve rust particles.
- Wash with cold water and a mild detergent.
Commercial Rust Remover
For particularly stubborn stains, you can try a commercial rust remover according to the product's instructions. Be sure to follow safety guidelines and test on an inconspicuous area first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions about how to get rust out of clothes? We’re here to show you how to get rust stains out of clothes for good.
What removes rust from clothes?
Rust stains may look scary, but luckily you have plenty of options for their removal! Rust can be removed from clothes using natural remedies like lemon juice, salt, and baking soda, or with commercial rust removers.
Will hydrogen peroxide remove rust from fabric?
While some people have had success removing rust from fabric using hydrogen peroxide, its strong bleaching power makes it difficult to use on non-white fabrics. We recommend using an alternative such as vinegar or lemon juice.
Does vinegar remove rust?
Yes, vinegar is a great tool for removing rust on clothes!