How to remove rust from clothes: 30 ways to remove it at home

How rust appears on clothes

The formation of rust on fabric is an unpleasant sight; this type of contamination is difficult to remove with conventional washing products. These types of contamination on clothing occur for the following reasons:

drying things on metal devices of the heating system;
loading clothes for washing without first removing metal objects from pockets;
contact of wet things with metal objects;
the presence of metal parts on things;
contact with metal objects (swings, benches).

Rust stains appear very quickly, especially on light-colored items. The presence of brown stains can make the item unwearable if the problem is not corrected in a timely manner. The result of using stain removers is achieved depending on the size of the problem and compliance with the rules for using the chemical.

Rules for removing rust stains from clothes

Old stains are more difficult to remove than new ones. When exposed to moisture, contaminated areas become even more deeply etched into the fabric, so take removal measures before washing your clothes. Acids contained in folk and professional remedies harm the body and skin. Wear gloves.

If the dirt is on your outerwear, first clean it with a dry brush to remove dirt and dust. Before using stain removers, test them on an inconspicuous area of clothing to see how the fabric reacts to the cleaning technique. Acids do a good job of removing traces; under their action, rust breaks down into components that are easy to remove during washing.

Remove from white clothes

On white items, rust marks are most clearly visible; in the process of restoring damaged clothing, it is very important to know how to properly deal with the problem.

Lemon acid

Acid is available in almost every kitchen; using it as a stain remover allows you to remove even the most stubborn stains without harming the fabric. To use, mix 20 grams of acid in half a glass of water. Place the mixture in a saucepan and heat it up. Place the part of the fabric with the stain into the liquid and leave for 5-10 minutes. Wash clothes with clean water.

Important. The acid must be mixed and heated in an enamel container. This will reduce the likelihood of a reaction occurring and reducing the effectiveness of the substance.

Plumbing rust remover

Cotton items are suitable for washing stains using this method. Synthetics may not withstand the effects of chemical components. To remove dirt, apply a plumbing cleaner and rub. Wash several times, constantly changing the water.

Hydrochloric acid

Using the substance, you can remove even stubborn stains. To use acid you need:

pour 2% substance;
place clothes;
wait 1-2 minutes;
Dilute two tablespoons of ammonia in a liter of water and rinse the rusty stain.

After such exposure, the pollution disappears completely.

Useful tips

Rust is considered a serious contaminant, which is not so easy to get rid of. To make the process go faster and more efficiently, you should follow these rules:

such contaminants are removed immediately; the longer it sits, the more it becomes embedded in the fibers;
Do not soak items with rust; exposure to water may cause the stain to become larger;
It is worth applying the products from the edges to the center, so you can localize the contamination.

Hot water and boiling will not bring the desired effect, but they can aggravate the situation.

Find out how to remove rust stains from various types of fabric, use it. At the same time, do not forget about precautions and proportions.

Printed on colored fabrics

Dyed fabrics require careful cleaning so as not to reduce the brightness of the clothing.

Glycerin suspension

Liquid glycerin can get rid of red streaks on painted items. To prepare the stain remover you need to prepare:

chalk (powder);
liquid glycerin.

The components are mixed in a glass container and applied in a thin layer to the fabric. The stain remover is left on for a day.

Vinegar

Ordinary vinegar not only removes dirt, but also restores the color of the linen; to use, you need to mix a glass of vinegar in 10 liters of water and soak dirty clothes. Leave overnight, then rinse with clean water.

How and with what to remove rust from white and colored clothes and fabrics: tips and recommendations

Not so long ago, rust stains were considered a death sentence for things, however, today even such difficult-to-remove stains are not a problem.

Of course, you can remove rust from white and colored clothes using a special product, but many housewives prefer to start using improvised and, by the way, very budget options. We will talk about them in more detail a little later. But first, perhaps, let's talk a little about the rust itself and the advice of experts on how to eliminate it. It will be useful for novice housewives, and in principle, like all other people, to know where and how these terrible rust spots can appear.

So, such stains can appear after simply drying clothes on a radiator. Of course, the battery must be metal. It would seem that this is a harmless battery, on which, by the way, most people dry their things, especially in the cold season, but no, it is not at all harmless. Old batteries, the paint on which falls off over time, can cause damage to the item.
Iron objects. Before washing in the washing machine, and before washing by hand, you must carefully check all pockets for items. But sometimes it happens that a small torn iron button or some kind of nail goes unnoticed and goes into the wash along with the item. It is precisely after contact of iron with clothing that we can also get unsightly and difficult to remove stains.
Decoration on things is very fashionable these days. Often this decor is metal and over time this fact can clearly not work in your favor.
Well, the most common and also the most common reason for the appearance of rust stains is benches, benches, swings and fences. After you sit on metal benches, lean against a fence, or ride on a swing, stains are likely to appear.

Now that you know the most common reasons why things deteriorate due to rust, it will be much easier for you to prevent such situations.

Rust removal

Now let’s move on to expert advice on rust removal. In general, the process of removing such stains is extremely difficult. However, using all the tips and recommendations, it is quite possible to cope with this difficult task:

In principle, before removing stains of any kind, it is necessary to put the item in order. That is, clean it from dust
It is best to remove stains from the reverse side of the item, that is, from the wrong side.
If you are using untested methods or removing a stain this way for the first time, then take your time. First, try cleaning a small area of the stain and only then move on.
Do not delay cleaning and washing soiled clothing. It is necessary to remove rust stains immediately, because by leaving a stain on clothes you give the iron the opportunity to eat into the fabric even more
Fabrics and clothing with rust stains do not need to be soaked. During the soaking process, the stain can “escape”, that is, spread even more throughout the item. You need to wash the item after you remove the stain itself.
Also remember, in order not to spread the rust even more throughout the fabric, you need to remove the stain starting from its edges and moving towards the center
Now let's move on directly to the remedies that will help you get rid of rust stains. To remove such stains from white clothes, lemon, citric acid, as well as vinegar and special products for removing stains of similar origin are perfect.
To clean rust from colored clothes, you can use a solution of glycerin and chalk, glycerin and detergent, as well as acetic acid and vinegar.

How to remove from different types of fabrics

The choice of method for washing stains, including rust, is carried out taking into account the type of fabric. Some types of materials do not withstand acids and may deteriorate.

Natural

This type of fabric is very often used for things such as T-shirts and children's clothing, bed linen. These materials are resistant to many stain removers, so rust can only be washed off using special mixtures.

Oxalic acid and soda

You can remove rust stains from your favorite clothes using the following mixture:

acid (teaspoon);
water (tablespoon).

Substances mix. Clothes are placed in the solution at the site of contamination for several minutes. Then sprinkle baking soda on top and leave for 10 minutes.

For a large area of contamination it is necessary to use increased proportions.

Tartaric acid and salt

Homemade stain remover is used for difficult cases of dirt on clothes. To prepare, use a glass of water and one teaspoon each of salt and acid.

The resulting acid solution is soaked in the canvas and left to dry.

Hydrochloric acid and ammonia

The use of acid allows you to quickly remove old stains without harming natural fibers. To eliminate the problem, you need to soak the stain in 2% acid and after 10-15 minutes rinse in clean water with the addition of ammonia in a proportion of 30 grams per liter of warm water.

Double punch

Allows you to save clothes that have a large area of rust stains. To use you need:

mix oxalic and acetic acid (1 teaspoon each);
substances are dissolved in 200 grams of water and heated;
the tissue is placed in an acidic composition for 4 hours.

After using acid, clothes should be rinsed with ammonia.

Important. The use of this stain removal method is only permissible on thick fabrics. During the washing process, you must use gloves to protect your hands. .

Hydrosulfite

The substance is recommended to be used only for white fabrics, since the chemical reagent tends to dissolve dyes. To use, add 5 grams of the substance to a glass of water and heat it to 60 degrees. The item is placed in the solution and left for 15-20 minutes.

Vinegar and ammonia

The fabric cleaning technique allows you to cope with outdated stains:

add a tablespoon of vinegar to a glass of water;
bring to a boil and soak the stain;
left for 20 minutes.

Wash in water with ammonia, 30 grams per liter of water.

Radical approach

For complex cases of contamination, a plumbing cleaning product, for example Domestos or Komet, will come to the rescue. To remove, apply the substance, foam and leave for several minutes.

Jeans

Denim requires a special approach to removing dirt. Denim fibers are stronger and may not respond to standard stain removers, especially for difficult problems like rust.

Salt and vinegar

Denim is much more difficult to deal with chemical stain removers. To remove rust marks, mix equal parts vinegar and salt. The resulting slurry is applied to the trousers and left for 10 hours. This method will allow you to remove the stain without harming your denim pants.

Antipyatin or citric acid

Antipyatin can deal with the problem of rust on jeans, with the help of which the stain is rubbed off and left for 1-2 hours. If there is no such remedy, you can use citric acid. Add a teaspoon of acid to one glass of warm water. The resulting solution is soaked into the rusty stain and left for a few minutes.

Delicate and synthetic

Synthetic fabrics are very sensitive to various acids, so when using rust removal techniques, proper stain removal is of particular importance, otherwise things can be damaged. However, despite this, this type of thing is most often subject to rust. To eliminate the problem, gentle methods of influencing the tissue are used.

Stain removers

In the departments of household chemicals you can see a large number of different stain removers. Each product has detailed instructions for use and the type of fabric for which it can be used. For rust, some products can be used that have repeatedly proven their effectiveness.

"Antipyatin"

The product can be used in the form of soap or gel. To remove rust, moisten the cloth with water, apply the substance and leave for several hours. Then rub and wash in clean water. This method can remove rust from synthetic fibers. The use of stain remover can also be used on children's clothes.

Vanish

Household chemicals are used against all types of stains, including those from metal objects. Before use, you must study the recommendations and choose the appropriate product depending on the type of fabric. The stain remover is applied to clothing and left for 20 minutes. If necessary, the procedure is repeated.

Dr. Beckmann

The product has a large number of varieties; to remove rust, you need to choose Dr. Beckmann Expert. Used for washing all types of clothing. To use, you need to pour the product onto the stain and leave it for an hour; to get better results, the application area should be damp all the time.

Glycerin mixtures

Glycerin is used to gently remove problems from clothing that requires special care. To make a stain remover, you need to mix equal parts of water, glycerin and ammonia. Apply using a wooden spatula and leave for an hour.

Toothpaste

You can remove rust from your favorite item using an oral care product. The paste and glycerin are mixed in equal proportions and applied to the rust. Leave for a day, then wash in clean water.

Chalk and glycerin

Suitable for all types of fabrics, does not destroy fibers and allows you to preserve the color of things. To prepare, mix chalk and glycerin in equal proportions. Leave for several hours, after which the items are rinsed in water with ammonia.

Ways to remove rust stains from clothes at home

At home, stains can be removed using the following methods:

a mixture of glycerin, chalk and water;
onions with glycerin (suitable for delicate fabrics);
solution of vinegar essence (suitable for colored clothes);
solution with the addition of soda, salt and vinegar.

Glycerin and chalk

The item is pre-washed with the addition of fabric softener. Algorithm of actions:

The composition is prepared using the following components:
chalk – 100 g;
glycerin – 100 ml;
water – 60 ml.
The stain is moistened and the prepared composition is applied to it.
After this, the item is packed in a cellophane bag: the exposure is 10-12 hours.
Then the product is removed and dried at room temperature.
Finally, the product is washed with regular laundry soap.

Using onions

Removing a rust stain using this method involves performing the following steps:

the onion head is freed from the husk;
use a meat grinder or a coarse grater to chop the onion;
add glycerin in a volume of 50 ml to the resulting mass;
generously cover the contaminated area with the prepared mixture;
The mixture should remain on the stain for 3 hours. Then it is removed, and the area of contamination is wiped with a slice of lemon;
the product is rinsed and then machine washed.

This method can also be used for delicate fabrics.

Using vinegar essence

This method can be used to treat colored fabrics, since vinegar does not harm them. The working solution consists of 4 liters of water and 100 ml of essence (its concentration is 75%). Algorithm of actions:

The item to be treated should be immersed in the prepared solution. The exposure will be 3 hours.
Then it is removed and washed without pre-rinsing.

Jeans and colored clothing can be treated this way.

Soda and salt

These components, which can always be found in any housewife’s kitchen, will cope perfectly with rust. The following composition is pre-prepared:

water – 300 ml;
baking soda – 10 g;
coarse salt - half a glass;
vinegar – 50 ml.

The product is immersed in this solution for 1 hour. This is followed by rinsing and washing with laundry soap.

Folk recipes

You can remove complex stains such as rust using traditional methods, using improvised means that are available in almost every home.

Lemon

To use, cut the lemon into circles and apply it to the rust area for a few minutes. Then iron the fabric; if the stain does not disappear, the procedure is repeated again. Used for minor stains.

Lemon juice

Cut the lemon and squeeze out the juice. Mix the juice with an equal part of water and bring to a boil, moisten a cloth with the mixture. Leave for 10-15 minutes, then wipe as usual. The proportions depend on the intensity of the contamination; old stains in large quantities on light-colored items can be removed using pure juice without adding water.

After this type of stain removal, it is necessary to rinse the clothes several times with clean water.

Important. Before using products to remove stains from colored fabrics, apply a small amount to the inside of the garment to detect any possible reaction.

Vinegar and salt

Combine one teaspoon each of vinegar and salt in a glass container. Using a wooden spatula, apply the paste to the stain and leave for half an hour. The remaining product is brushed off and the clothes are washed in the usual way.

Dishwashing detergent and glycerin

If clothing damage has occurred recently, you can prepare a mixture by mixing detergent with liquid glycerin in equal parts. The detergent must be of a thick consistency; the resulting mixture is rubbed onto the rust and left overnight.

Tartaric acid and ultraviolet

To remove stains, use the following ingredients in equal parts:

tartaric acid;
table salt.

Clothes are cleaned of dirt and slightly moistened with water. The resulting slurry is applied to the rusty stains and left for an hour in a sunny place. The influence of sunlight allows you to activate the action of acids against dirt in the fibers.

Toothpaste

Can be used for all types of fabric. Allows you to eliminate fresh stains in a short time. Toothpaste is applied to the stain and left for several hours. After which it is washed in the usual way.

Vinegar or citric acid

The effectiveness of the acid is achieved due to its ability to corrode any dirt. To use this type of folk cleaning of complex types of dirt, you need to prepare the following ingredients:

a tablespoon of vinegar (5 grams of acid);
glass of water.

The ingredients are mixed, the solution is used to soak rusty stains, the duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.

Soap, glycerin and water

The method allows you to quickly clean almost any dirt that remains on the fabric. To use, take equal parts of the ingredients and mix in a glass container. Using a cotton swab, apply to the rust and leave for several hours.

What products are best to use?

Household chemical stores have a large number of modern products that promise to remove rust from any type of fabric without any problems. Whether or not to trust what is promised is up to everyone, but before using any of the products you choose, make sure that it is safe for this type of material:

White fabrics will be contaminated by chlorine-containing substances from the store. Before applying, carefully study the instructions on the product and the tag on the product, it will indicate whether it is allowed to be used for this material. Stain removers with chlorine will remove rust stains on white cotton fabrics; they will not harm thick synthetics either. The rest of the materials will lose their original appearance from such aggressive influence.
Oxygen-containing products are ideal for restoring non-ferrous and specific materials. Usually the packages have a special marking “for delicate fabrics”; this is the product that will rid silk and organza of rust stains.

Advice! Before applying the product to a piece of clothing, be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area of clothing. The ideal option would be the inside cuff or hem on the wrong side. Using a cotton swab, apply the product to the selected area and leave for the time specified in the instructions. Afterwards, rinse, if the color has not changed and the fabric in this area is not deformed, feel free to apply it to the dirt.

But using household chemicals will not always bring the desired result; sometimes traces of rust from clothing cannot be removed by such products. There is no need to despair; folk methods that have been tested by more than one generation of housewives will help your wardrobe item avoid the trash can.

Homemade remedies that are in every home will help out. Their use is simple and safe, and the result will not take long to wait; in addition, there will be significant financial savings.

Prevention of plaque

In order to avoid the stress associated with cleaning a dirty toilet with old stains of rust, it is necessary to put into practice preventive measures.

These points include:

Timely elimination of water leakage from the tank.
Installation of a purification system (filter) for incoming water if its quality at the inlet is not satisfactory.
Carrying out regular toilet cleaning. For this, chlorine bleach or a special product can be used.
The use of special tablets for rust and lime, which are placed in the tank or attached under the rim of the toilet. They have a fairly long-lasting effect - up to several weeks.
Mandatory flushing of water after using the toilet will prevent the formation of limescale and urinary stone, which complicate the care of plumbing, forming persistent stains involving rust.

Express methods for removing traces of fresh rust from a T-shirt or blouse

Every chemist knows that rust is afraid of contact with acid. So maybe, to clean a robe, T-shirt, bra or some other thing at home, we use a proven fact? There is always vinegar or citric acid in the household. They will become the main assistants in the fight for the purity of things.

A fresh rust stain on a white blouse, T-shirt or other clothing can be removed in one of the following ways:

Mix ½ glass of water and 20 g of citric acid powder and heat (do not boil!). Pour onto the stain and let the clothes soak a little. If the rust is fresh, you can get rid of it very quickly. In just 5 minutes it will dissolve in an acidic environment.
Citric acid can be replaced with a thin slice of fresh citrus, which is recommended to be wrapped in gauze during the procedure. Place the prepared lemon on the stain that needs to be removed and run a hot iron over it, placing several paper napkins under the clothes to absorb the flowing juice. After removing the rust, white clothes should be washed in the normal “thick fabric” mode or in the “delicate wash” mode for silk, lace, synthetics and knitwear.
You can bleach things using 70% acetic acid. Add 2 tbsp. spoons of this liquid in 250 ml of water and heat to +75 °C. Place the area of fabric with the stain in the heated mixture for 4-5 minutes, then rinse it in water with the addition of ammonia - ½ tablespoon per 1 liter of water.

Attention! The acid is very concentrated and should not be inhaled or allowed to come into contact with the skin.

The tips listed above are highly effective on fresh rust stains. However, old stains will have to be removed with store-bought products. In addition, you can use dry cleaning services.

Important! There is no need to try to wash leather and suede white items and accessories (gloves, bags, clutches, etc.) yourself; it is better to immediately take them to dry cleaning.

You cannot remove rust stains from light-colored items with chlorine bleach, since if chlorine gets into the structure of the material, the dirt can be deeply “sealed” inside. And in the future, no methods will help solve the problem.

How to remove rust stains from white terry towels or a robe - video

Anti-rust products for fabrics: list, names

We will tell you exactly how to clean clothes with all the above-described means a little later, but now we’ll talk about no less important things - special products that remove rust stains.

Most people, before moving on to the “heavy artillery” and purchasing a professional stain remover, try all sorts of folk and home methods. However, there are those who initially prefer special stain removers. But as you know, they are different and you need to be able to choose them. This is exactly what we will look into now.
Most often, when you go to a household chemicals store, you will be advised of ordinary stain removers in the form of a gel or powder. You need to pay attention to their composition, and also carefully read the instructions in order to understand whether this product is suitable for removing rust stains.
By the way, a stain remover that can remove rust must contain acids, because they destroy the metal, thereby allowing the stain to be removed. But the presence of such a component as chlorine in the composition of the product does not in any way guarantee a good result.
According to reviews, on the contrary, bleaches and chlorine products can damage the fabric. In any case, when purchasing such products, consult the store’s employees.

Anti-rust products
So, let’s move directly to the products and methods of their use:

Vanish Oxi Action is one of the most popular stain removers. This stain remover is great for both white and colored items. Thanks to the active oxygen contained in the product, even the most stubborn stains are easily removed. The manufacturer recommends strictly following the instructions, and also carefully studying the labels that are on the clothes.
Sarma is a budget-friendly product for removing old stains. This product does not contain chlorine, which in our case is good news. Please note that this product enhances the effect of the powder.
Belle - this bleach is oxygen-containing and is perfect for removing any stains; it also does not contain chlorine. The advantage of this product is that it copes well with unpleasant odors.

In order to choose a truly high-quality product and not “throw money away,” it is best to ask consultants for help in choosing a product.