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

Preventing rust stains

To avoid having to look for ways to remove rust stains, you should take proper care of your clothes. Here are some tips on how to do it:

It is not necessary to dry things on the radiator, and the laundry, and the heating means will not be spoiled.
Check for moisture on metal parts after washing. If available, dry them dry. You can use a hairdryer for this.
All removable metal items should be removed from clothing. Accessories that cannot be removed should be covered with clear nail polish.
Check and empty pockets before washing. This will help to save not only clothes and things lying inside it, but also the washing machine.
It is worth taking a close look at metal benches, swings, and other seats that may have rust before sitting on them.
Do not try to remove this type of dirt with hydrochloric acid. There are more suitable remedies for removing stains, and this acid can cause serious damage to skin and tissues.

How to remove rust stains from white fabric using household cleaning products

In the case when it was not possible to remove the rust from the white shirt using folk methods and improvised means, it is recommended to use industrial stain removers, of which there are a large number on sale.

If we take into account consumer reviews, then there are 5 products that, according to most, are the best in the fight against pollution on white clothes:

Beckmann "Expert" is a tool that can be used to remove oxidized iron from products. In this case, the stain remover is suitable for all types of fabrics, even for those items that should not be washed.
FeedBack "Oxy Color" is a bleach that contains oxygen. As practice shows, using this tool, you can remove yellow spots from white fabric. Due to the fact that there are no aggressive components in the composition, the products cannot be damaged.
Frosch - this stain remover is used to pre-treat existing stains. The product is made on the basis of citrus, salt and citric acid. A great option if you want to remove old stains without lightening the white fabric.
"Antipyatin" - goes on sale, in the form of soap, gel or powder. This option is great for white clothing. There is no chlorine in the composition, as a result of which the effect on the fabric is delicate.
Sarma Active 5 in 1 is a chlorine-free product. This stain remover is great for all types of fabric, except for silk and wool. You can remove not only fresh, but also old traces of rust.

In order to wash white clothes, it is recommended to apply the agent to the contaminated area, rub it a little until foam appears, and then leave everything in this form for the period of time indicated by the manufacturer in the instructions. Subsequently, the product is placed in a washing machine and washed with powder.

Attention! If you plan to use bleaches that contain chlorine, then it is best to initially check its effect on an inconspicuous area of the fabric.

Why does rust appear on clothes?

Rusty marks on things do not appear on their own, there is always one or several reasons for this:

Drying on metal batteries. When it comes into contact with a wet thing, the metal rusts, and stubborn stains remain on fabrics, especially light colors.
A trifle forgotten in my pockets. You should always check your pockets carefully and remove everything from them before washing.Forgotten coins, pins, badges, and other metal objects contribute to rust.
The presence of metal accessories (buttons, rivets, clasps, etc.) also leads to stains. Therefore, it is not recommended to buy snow-white things with such details, it will be difficult to wash them. It is better to take such products to dry cleaning.
Contact of wet things with metal. As with a battery, a rusty trace can be left from a bench, door or post in rainy weather.

Folk recipes

In addition to the above remedies for removing rust stains, there are several very interesting folk methods.

Lemon acid

This recipe is suitable for both colored and white fabrics. Using citric acid, in this case, is very simple:

6 teaspoons of lemons must be diluted in a glass of water;
heat the solution, but do not bring to a boil;
place the contaminated area in the resulting composition and leave for 3-5 minutes;
wash a thing with powder.

Toothpaste

Dental fasting will help to remove rust stains from white clothes, because this is perhaps the most affordable method of all. The principle of working with such a stain remover is simple: the paste is applied in a dense layer to the damaged area of the fabric and washed off after 1-2 hours.

Glycerol

Since the probability of spoiling the thing is minimal, this method is quite gentle and is perfect for clothes made of fabrics that require careful treatment or, for example, for usually expensive products - jackets, down jackets, curtains, car covers.

Expert opinion

The recipe is very simple: in equal proportions you need to mix glycerin, water and liquid soap. Apply the resulting composition to the problem area for at least 24 hours, then wash the product.

Bleach

The most common bleaches are chlorine, for example, "Whiteness"

However, it is worth using such products with caution, because they are only suitable for cotton fabrics and dense synthetic fabrics. Prolonged exposure to a solution containing chlorine can harm

Therefore, you need to apply bleach for a fairly short time - 10-15 minutes.

Chlorine-containing compositions allow you to perfectly remove rust, as well as return the fabric to its former whiteness. These products are suitable for washing tulle and kitchen towels.

For products made from delicate materials, bleach with a more gentle composition is suitable.

We remove rust with our own hands

There are other ways to remove rust from clothes at home.

Lemon. This method is considered one of the most effective in the fight against rust. It removes rust from all types of fabrics. Wrap the lemon pulp in cheesecloth (the peel should be sent), attach it to the dirt, and then iron the area with an iron. To get rid of the stain completely, you may have to repeat this procedure several times.
Lemon juice. Like lemon wedges, you can use the juice of this fruit. Squeeze out the juice, then generously moisten the dirt with a sponge. Cover the stain with a paper towel and then iron it with an iron. Repeat the procedure if necessary. If the material is thin, you can do without heating, then moisten the contaminated area with juice and simply leave it for a quarter of an hour. Then wash the product.
Vinegar and salt. This method works well for removing stains from jeans. Mix salt and vinegar that way to make a thin gruel. Apply it on the dirt and let it sit for a few hours. Then rinse and wash the item.
A mixture of acids. To combat old stains, it is recommended to use a mixture of acids - acetic and oxalic. Add five grams of each to a glass of water. The resulting solution should be heated and then immersed in the contaminated area for three hours.
Dish detergent and glycerin. This product is recommended for delicate fabrics.Combine the glycerin with a dishwashing detergent in equal proportions. Apply the resulting mixture to the dirt and let stand for several hours.
Toothpaste. Some remove rust using regular toothpaste. It's hard to say how effective this tool is, but if you don't have anything else at hand, you can try it too. To do this, mix the paste with a small amount of water, apply the resulting mass in a thick layer on the dirt. Rinse off after forty minutes.
Vinegar. This method can be used for both white and colored materials, the main thing is that they are resistant to the action of acids. Place a glass of water and two tablespoons of regular vinegar in an enamel bowl. Heat the solution well (but do not boil), then submerge the soiled area of the garment in it and let sit for five minutes. Then rinse the product first in clean water, then with ammonia (a spoonful of alcohol per liter of water). Then wash the thing in the usual way.

Tips from experienced housewives

Those who have successfully dealt with rusty stains on clothes more than once are advised to adhere to these rules:

Start fighting the stain as soon as you notice it. This is especially true for delicate products, on which the use of aggressive stain removers is excluded.
When in contact with water, rust is only fixed in the fibers. Try to detect dirt in time and try to remove it before washing.
Direct all movements strictly from the edge to the center so that the stain is not smeared. Also, do not actively rub the place of contamination. Use cotton pads, brushes, sponges, and pieces of clean cloth for processing.
Rust stains on white clothes are displayed differently from colored clothes, be careful.
Always check the contents of the pockets before each wash.
If possible, strip metal buttons during washing.
If outer clothing has suffered from rust, first clean it of dust, and then proceed to remove the stain.
If you decide to use a chlorine-based product, be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area of the fabric. A hem (that part of it that is made of the top fabric), the back of the belt or the cuff will do. It is good if you save a small sample of the cloth when you buy it.
When choosing bleach, go for gels over powders. They penetrate deeper into the tissue structure and cleanse better.
Before cleaning, make sure that the fabric is suitable for the use of certain products. If you are not sure about the composition of the matter, it is better to contact a dry cleaner so as not to completely ruin the thing. Professionals will solve your problem.

It is easier to prevent the appearance of rust on clothes, but if a trouble happens, know: there is always a way to deal with stains, from citric acid to dry cleaning. The methods suggested here will help you defeat rust on your own and not at all costly.

Ways to remove fresh stains

The contaminated area must be soaked in a solution of equal measures of lemon juice and cold water. The stained cloth is immersed in the liquid composition for 30 minutes. If this was not enough, leave for another 15 minutes. To remove any marks, soak the area in liquid detergent without diluting it with water.
Signs of corrosion on a white T-shirt are successfully removed by a lemon wedge. Citrus acid eats away rust through interaction. You just need to check that the composition of the fabric is acid resistant. Wipe the stain with a lemon wedge and sprinkle with salt. Place the product in the sun to dry.
This recommendation also uses lemon. Wrap the slice with gauze and apply the pulp to the spot. Press with a hot iron through the fabric. After processing, wipe the traces with a napkin moistened with hydrogen peroxide.
An effective remedy for saving white linen is toothpaste. It is thickly applied to the ginger print. Stand for an hour and wash. You can dilute the paste a little with water.
Lemon and hydrogen peroxide are reliable allies against traces of metal corrosion on fabric. After treating the dirt on the sweater with lemon juice, you need to wipe it with peroxide and wash in cool water.
Fresh traces of rusty metal on colored and white fabrics can be removed with a 1: 1 mixture of glycerin and liquid soap. Add a few drops of water and treat the contamination.

Folk remedies against rust

Folk remedies are used by most housewives. They help to effectively, without cost, get rid of rust on clothes at home.

We suggest using the following methods:

Glycerin and soap. Removes dirt from white cotton, rough colored garments. We mix the ingredients in equal proportions, apply to the dirt. Leave for 24 hours, then rinse.
Tooth powder and water (or glycerin). Mix the ingredients until the consistency is similar to sour cream. Apply on dirt, leave for 40-60 minutes.
Lemon juice. Effective for removing stains from synthetic materials. Squeeze lemon juice (you can use the pulp), mix with water. Apply to the soiled part of clothing, leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and wash the item.
Hot way. Do not use on synthetics, chiffon, nylon. Wrap a slice of lemon in cheesecloth, place on top of the dirt and iron.
Vinegar. The method is suitable for items that can be washed at 60 degrees. Dissolve a tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Heat and lower part of the stained garment for 5 minutes. Rinse and wash. If the dirt has not been removed, repeat the procedure several times. If you want to remove rust from a colored item, apply a solution of vinegar and water to the stain. Do not boil! Do not heat! Leave the item for 12 hours, then wash.
Salt, vinegar and soda. Suitable for rough denim and jackets. Mix the ingredients until a thick sour cream, apply on rust, leave for half an hour.
Oxalic acid and vinegar. Suitable for removing old dirt, do not apply to colored and delicate items. Dilute 5 g of each product in 200 ml. water. Heat the solution and dip some of the soiled clothing into it. Rinse, wash. Oxalic acid is available from gardening stores.
Ammonia. Suitable for leather, suede, jeans. 1 tbsp. dilute a spoon in 5 tbsp. spoons of water. Apply to dirt with a cloth brush, rub thoroughly.
Hyposulfite. Use for light-colored, durable items. Suitable for removing rust from men's shirts or T-shirts. Dissolve 15 g of hyposulfite in 200 ml. water. Heat the mixture and apply to dirt. Wait until it disappears. The procedure may have to be repeated several times.

An overview of special products for removing rust stains

A hardware store sells a chemical to help remove rust stains from clothing

When buying a stain remover, pay attention to the composition. The products contain bleach, which means that when stains are removed, whites can turn yellowish, and colored fabrics become discolored.

Preparations in the form of a gel are considered convenient, they penetrate better into the structure of the tissue and act gently.

Before use, read the instructions - on which fabrics it is possible to use the product

Pay attention to the timing of exposure

Consider the rust removers that are sold in the store:

Rust Remover. Liquid for removing corrosion from wood and stone surfaces. Removes rust from work clothes or denim. It is necessary to work in a well-ventilated area with gloves.
Beckmann. A universal stain remover suitable for all types of fabrics. Gently and gently removes rust from jeans, chiffon blouses, knitted sweaters and knitted dresses, and will not discolor linen.
Freed Back OXY Color. Copes with old stains and can be applied to all types of fabric. Not suitable for wool and leather, removes dirt from dressing gowns well.
Erenas-exet3.Cannot be used without gloves. Apply for 15 - 30 minutes. After washing with detergent.
Stain ex3. It contains oxalic acid, there is no need to use gloves.
Clean. A versatile stain remover that removes stubborn stains. Chlorine-free product with strong odor. The manufacturer does not recommend using a leather product.

Now the question of how to remove unpleasant rusty stains from clothes will not arise. Easily remove your favorite thing from an unpleasant problem. The method of dealing with rust stains depends on the type and color of the fabric.

The article has been verified by the editors

Where does it come from

Rust is the result of oxidation of ferrous metals. She talks about the erosion of the metal, its damage. In addition to harm to iron objects, rust has another negative property: it stains and, moreover, its traces are difficult to remove dirt.

Such stains appear when the fabric comes into contact with metal objects that can rust and are either not covered with a protective layer, or are damaged in the coating:

buttons, rivets, keys, hairpins, coins, paper clips or key rings left in your pocket can be the culprits for unexpected rust stains;
traces from swings, merry-go-rounds and benches on children's clothes have long become commonplace for parents;
a rusty stain can appear as a result of drying the product on a heating radiator, a specially metal grate, ropes with a metal cable in the core - the integrity of their coating must be periodically checked.

If you remember about the causes of pollution, then such troubles will happen to you much less often. But what if the rust still settled? There are three ways out: throw the thing away, dry-clean it, or try to remove the contamination yourself. If you choose the third path, then many improvised means that are in every home become your assistants. Let's start saving clothes!

Like wiping rust off white clothes

Rusty spots on white things are especially noticeable. At the same time, it is very difficult to send dirt from such clothes and achieve ideal whiteness. To remove rust from white clothing, you can use one of the following methods:

Lemon acid. Place twenty grams of acid in an enamel container, pour half a glass of water there and mix well. Bring the resulting solution to a boil (do not boil), then place a part of the thing with contamination in it and stand for about five minutes. If the stain has not disappeared, repeat the procedure, then rinse the item with cool water. Hyposulfate can be used instead of acid, but it only needs to be combined with a glass of water.
Wine acid. Combine acid in equal proportions with salt. Dilute the resulting gruel slightly with water, then generously grease the dirt with it. Place the treated area on a jar or deep plate and place in the sun. When the dirt has disappeared, rinse the item well and then wash.
Means for removing rust from plumbing. This method can only be used to remove rust on white, cotton material. To do this, moisten the dirt with the agent, rub it so that foam forms, then rinse well and only then wash the product. Even very old stains can be removed with this method.
Hydrochloric acid. A 2% acid solution is needed to remove stains. Dip the area of the product with contamination into it and wait until it completely disappears. Meanwhile, combine the solution of ammonia (about 3 tablespoons) with a liter of water, and then rinse the cleaned thing in it.

Citric acid against dirt

The method described below can rightfully be considered one of the most effective in the fight against rust traces.

Dissolve a packet of citric acid in a quarter glass of warm water or squeeze out a small amount of lemon juice.

2 Wet the dirt abundantly with an acidic solution and turn the garment inside out.

3 Spread a clean white cloth on the ironing board and place the stained garment on top of it.

4 Top the thing with a white cloth as well.

5Heat the iron, turn on the steam function and iron the soiled item, paying particular attention to the soiled area. The stain particles should be transferred to the fabric.

6Wipe the stain with your hands using laundry soap and wash the item in the usual way .. If the dirt is fresh, you can wrap the pulp of half a lemon in cheesecloth, run this bag over the stain, and then iron the treated area with an iron

If the dirt is fresh, you can wrap the pulp of half a lemon in cheesecloth, run this bag over the stain, and then iron the treated area with an iron.

The high temperature for treating the stain can also be provided by boiling. However, this method is not suitable for removing stains from delicate fabrics.

Industrial remedies

Usually, household chemicals act quickly and for sure, are easy to use, and are widely represented in any supermarket. However, you should be careful: not every fiber type is suitable for such aggressive products. Only use chlorine bleach on heavy cotton or synthetic fabrics, and avoid organza, silk, wool and other delicate fabrics.

What to do if rust has spoiled a delicate product? For such cases, there are gentle industrial products - oxygen bleaches and stain removers. You will recognize them by the label “for delicate fabrics”. For colored items, purchase products with the appropriate mark.

Household chemicals to remove rust:

Vanish is perhaps the most popular and effective product for removing all kinds of stains;
Amway is an expensive product based on natural ingredients that does its job perfectly well;
"Antipyatin" - powder and soap that enhance the effect of the main detergent, suitable for children's clothes;
Sarma - powder and laundry soap, according to customer reviews, these products not only clean the stains, but also restore the white color of things;
Ace oxi magic is a gentle stain remover for colored laundry.

How to properly remove rust stains with a stain remover:

Apply a small amount gently with a brush or cotton pad.
Leave it on for a short time (as written in the instructions, usually 10-15 minutes) to allow the agent to penetrate into the fibers of the fabric.
Wash the item with powder in warm water.
Repeat as necessary.

How to remove rust

Very often, the source of rusty stains are metal elements of clothing: zippers, copper and brass buttons, or small change left in jeans pockets. You can remove traces of rust from clothes at home using affordable and effective folk remedies.

For clothing made of fabrics that are resistant to organic acids, the following rust removal methods are used:

Lemon. A slice of lemon is wrapped in gauze or a thin cloth, applied to the stain and ironed with an iron. For an old, deeply ingrained stain, this procedure must be repeated, after which the clothes must be thoroughly washed. Citric acid can be used as an alternative to the sour fruit. After diluting it in hot water, treat the stain with a solution and leave for 10-15 minutes, and then start washing.
Vinegar. To get rid of rust, you need to dilute 2 tablespoons of vinegar in water and heat the solution well. Soak clothes in it for a few minutes, then send them to the wash.
Oxalic acid. One tablespoon of oxalic acid is diluted in a glass of water and heated to a temperature of 60 ˚С. A piece of fabric damaged by rust is placed in a solution, kept for several minutes.After that, you need to take out the clothes, and after sprinkling a little soda on the stain, send it to the wash.

If clothes damaged by rust stains are made of fabrics that cannot interact with acids, you can clean them using a proven folk recipe.

To do this, you need to prepare a special mixture consisting of equal parts of chalk, glycerin and water. If no chalk is found, you can replace it with tooth powder. Having brought the mixture to a state of gruel, you should evenly rub the rust stains on the clothes with it. Allow the slurry to soak into the fibers of the fabric, and then gently remove the remnants of the product from the surface. When the procedure is completed, you can start washing your clothes.

Folk remedies against rust

Below, a few more effective ways are considered in detail that will help remove hard-to-remove red marks:

To remove rust from jeans, apply a thick gruel to problem areas for five to six hours before washing, which can be obtained by mixing nine percent table vinegar and table salt.
If old rusty marks are not washed off your favorite clothes, you need to treat them with a mixture of organic acids - ethane and oxalic. In this case, ten grams of the mixture must first be dissolved in a glass of heated water. The resulting solution must be kept on the fabric for three to four hours.
If the knitted blouse gets dirty, you will first need to pull it over a jar or pan so that the soiled place is completely straightened out. Then you will need to apply a thick paste obtained by mixing fine table salt and tartaric acid on the pollution. As such, the garment should spend two to three hours in direct sunlight until the rust dissolves. If the ultraviolet light has not completely cleared the fabric, the exposure time can be increased.
To cleanse snow-white things, you should generously treat the dirt with a whitening toothpaste mixed with a little cool water. After forty to fifty minutes, the resulting gruel will need to be removed and the fabric rinsed. If you need to tidy up colored clothes, you should replace the whitening toothpaste with a regular one. This will help preserve the color of the item. This method can be used to remove rust from jeans.
To remove rust from wool clothing, you will first need to soak it in a hot citric acid solution. To prepare it, you need to fill a five-liter saucepan with water, and pour a glass of food additives. Then - put the solution on fire, but do not bring to a boil. After five minutes, you can safely load things into the drum of the washing machine, after processing it will not be difficult to wash them.

How to clean rust with improvised means

Cleaning rust at home means what we can find at home or buy in a budget option.

On our website, we will tell you about several home cleaning methods:

Lemon and citric acid
Vinegar
Salt
Wine acid
Stain removers

Lemon

Lemon is not only a tasty and healthy member of the citrus family, but also an excellent household helper. It both whitens and removes rust stains. Try soaking the garment in lemon juice and letting it sit for a few hours. Check the result, if necessary and the surface allows, try foaming the fabric a little and rubbing - the stain should come off better. After that, soak the fabric in a fresh solution, and after the stain is completely dry, try to evaluate how well this method helped, and whether you need to re-strip. Experience shows that cleaning rust with lemon has shown itself quite well even in the processing of white things.

Vinegar and salt

Everyone has salt in the kitchen, and therefore this component is usually not difficult to deal with. Make a small, paste-like mixture and apply a thick layer to the garment where the rust has appeared.Leave the stain to soak for 30-50 minutes, then rinse under cold water and try a light hand wash. Usually the stain comes off 1-3 times.

Wine acid

Prepare tartaric acid with salt in approximately 1 to 1 ratio, but unlike the previous method, we need to achieve complete drying of the stain and mixture.

Peel off the carefully dried mixture and see how well the stain has “absorbed”. If necessary, try repeating the process, but before doing so, apply lemon juice.

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 we use a proven fact to clean a robe, T-shirt, bra or some other thing at home? There is always vinegar or citric acid on the farm. They will become the main helpers in the struggle for the purity of things.

A fresh rusty 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 over the stain and let the clothes dry a little. If the rust is fresh, it will 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 circle of fresh citrus, which is recommended to be wrapped in gauze during the procedure. The prepared lemon is placed on the stain that needs to be removed, and carried out on top with a hot iron, placing several paper napkins under the clothes to absorb the flowing juice. After removing the rust, white clothes should be washed in the usual “thick fabric” mode or in the “delicate wash” mode - for silk, lace, synthetics and knitwear.
You can whiten a thing with 70% acetic acid. Add 2 tbsp. tablespoons of this liquid in 250 ml of water and heat to +75 ° C. Place the stained area 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 must not be inhaled or allowed to come into contact with the skin. The above tips are highly effective against fresh rust stains.

However, old dirt will have to be removed with store products. Alternatively, you can use the dry cleaning service.

An alternative to the essence is 9% vinegar. Mix it with salt until the consistency of a thick porridge and spread generously on a rusty spot. The holding time of the product is up to 30 minutes, after which the item is washed by hand or machine.
You can remove rust from the most delicate tulle or knitted sweater using ordinary toothpaste. To do this, grease the contaminated area abundantly with a hygienic product and let it sit for 25-30 minutes. After the expiration of the time, we wash the clothes in the usual way.

The tips listed above are highly effective against fresh rust stains. However, old dirt will have to be removed with store products. Alternatively, dry cleaning services are available.

Important! There is no need to try to wash leather and suede white things and accessories (gloves, bags, clutches, etc.) on your own, it is better to immediately dry-clean them

It is impossible to remove rusty stains from light-colored items with chlorine bleach, as if chlorine gets into the structure of the fabric, the pollution can be deeply "sealed" inside. And in the future, no means will help solve the problem.

The effect of purchased stain removers

With the help of an elementary soaking in bleach, it is unlikely that it will be possible to get rid of traces of rust, unless the pollution has not yet had time to eat into the fabric. When working with stains of this kind, most often you have to resort to using stain removers.

Judging by the reviews, the following tools do the best job:

Frau Schmidt;
Vanish;
Ecover;
Amway Pre Wash;
Sarma Active;
Edelstar;
Udalix Ultra;
A minute;
Antipyatin.

Most often (you must always follow the recommendations of the instructions), these products are used in the same way when removing rust stains:

1 Apply the product to the dirt and leave for a while (indicated in the instructions), usually from 15 minutes to several hours.
2Use a cotton pad or small piece of soft white cloth to work on the stain until it disappears.
3Soak garment in bleach solution, wash.

With all the variety of stain removers available on the shelves, most housewives, when removing traces of rust from white things, prefer to use products that are always at hand. And this desire is dictated not so much by issues of economy, as by the effectiveness of folk methods for removing this kind of stains at home.