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Seeing your clothes getting spoiled by stains is bad enough, but when rust stains come into the equation, it’s worse. When you hang your laundry on iron wires to dry, they might leave behind scuff on the clothing. Iron hangers may also be to blame for this problem.
The water you use to wash clothes might include a lot of iron. This causes garments that are washed with it to attain a yellowish tint that will not go away naturally.
So, we thought, why not put together some ways in which you can get rid of these horrible rust stains from the comfort of your home using some readily available materials.
Outline
How To Remove Rust Stains From Washable Clothes
These are the few things you can use to remove rust stains from washable clothes. However, if you have expensive clothes you don’t want to take a chance on, we suggest you take them to the dry-cleaners.
1. Vinegar
You can use white vinegar to keep your clothes stain-free and even remove stubborn rust stains. Start with washing and soaking your white garments in warm water containing one tablespoon of vinegar. This will prevent white clothing from becoming yellow.
2. Lemon
This is one of the easiest ways to get rid of rust stains on your clothes. All you have to do is cut a lemon in half and rub it on the rust stains.
This will not only remove iron stains from your clothes, but it will also get rid of any other stains. If you don’t see satisfactory results with lemon, add a sprinkle of sea salt before rubbing.
3. Baking Soda
It is one kitchen ingredient you can readily find anywhere, and it is an excellent way to remove tough rust stains. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to half a bucket of water and soak your stained clothes in it for about thirty minutes. Then, use a mild detergent to wash it off.
To be preventive, add a spoon of baking soda to your regular laundry detergent and wash the clothes as you usually would. Baking soda not only removes rust stains but also adds extra foam to the mixture, which makes for a more efficient cleaning process.
4. Salt
Who knew an essential kitchen seasoning would help you chase rust stains from your favorite clothes? Add half a cup of salt to your usual washing and mix it with warm water until the salt dissolves. Then, soak the stained clothing in this solution. You will be able to notice results immediately after soaking for five minutes.
5. Cream Of Tartar
This ingredient is not only good for treating stains but also for keeping clothes fresh and bright. Mix two tablespoons of cream of tartar with laundry soap and use the solution to wash clothes as you usually would. Professionals advise not to use this method on colored or elastic garments.
6. Talcum Powder
If you see minor rust stains on your garment, use some talc and a pure, soft cotton cloth to blot or sprinkle some talcum powder directly over the metal wire, which is causing this problem. This will help in the removal of rust stains on your clothes.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide
This is one of the safest options because it does not have any harmful side effects. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful rust stain remover that you can use in a spray bottle to get rid of rust stains on clothes without worrying about damaging your clothes. Just spray it on the affected area and soak your stained clothing for half an hour or so before washing as usual.
How To Remove Rust Stains From Non-Washable Clothes
Not all articles of clothing with stains are washable. However, there are certain ways to remove rust spots from non-washable or dry-clean only clothes.
1. Lemon Juice And Salt
You can use this method for cotton and silk garments, but not on clothes with embellishments or lace. Mix some lemon juice with some salt to make a fine paste and rub it onto the stains until you see them slowly fading away.
2. Vinegar And Salt
You can use vinegar and salt to remove rust stains from dry spots. Mix a tablespoon of salt in a cup of warm water and spray it on the affected area. Let the mixture sit on the garment for about an hour before rinsing off with cold water and letting it air dry.
Pro Tip: It’s possible that applying rust stain remover at home will damage the cloth, so you should test these methods on a small area of the fabric before using them on the entire thing.
What Is Causing Rust Stains On Clothes?
If rust stains on clothing are a recurring problem, you’ll need to take preventative measures. To begin with, figure out what is causing the rust stains. Rust can quickly gather on your garments while washing or drying, and here are the possible causes:
- Water Heaters: They can be a source of rust if they are not maintained regularly. Make sure to replace the water heater with a new one or have it checked by professionals when it’s time for maintenance.
- Washing Machines: The rusting of the drum in a washing machine can ruin your clothes. This is because the stains absorb into the clothes, and cause permanent damage. To avoid this, clean out the drum regularly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for regular maintenance.
- Dryer: Lint build-up in the dryer can rust the drum, which will ruin all your clothes. It would help to clean your lint trap after every cycle to prevent your clothes from getting rust stains.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you use bleach to remove rust stains?
Since bleach is potent enough to remove rust stains, it can also damage your clothes if you use too much of it. This is why you should never use bleach for rust stain removal on colored garments.
2. How do you get old rust stains out of clothes?
To remove rust stains, place the garment on a flat surface and let it face up to the sun. Next, cover the stain with lemon juice and massage it into the discoloration with your fingertips. Allow it to rest for 15 minutes before rinsing it in cold water and washing it as usual.
We hope the article provided you with more information about why rust stains occur and how to remove them easily at home. If you have a recurring issue of finding rust stains on your clothes, then you should check your water and drying appliances. Happy cleaning!
