How to get iron water stains out of clothes

Q: How do you get rusty water stains out of clothes?

If youve got rust on clothing it can be removed with either white vinegar or lemon juice. Lay the clothing or fabric out on an old towel and pour a small amount of white vinegar directly on the stain - or rub a cut lemon half on the stain. Saturate it thoroughly, then blot it with a clean white towel.

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Ways to Remove Iron Stains From Clothes
For Washable Clothes
4. Baking Soda
5. Cream of Tartar
For Non-washable Fabric / Dry-clean-only Clothes
1. Lemon Juice & Salt
2. Vinegar & Salt
Do iron water stains come out?
How do you get rusty water stains out of clothes?
How can I remove iron stains from clothes?
Can iron rust be removed from clothes?

‘How to get rid of rust stains?’ is a common question that many people have. Iron stains or rust stains are always difficult to deal with. They usually appear on your washed clothes when you hang them on iron wires for drying. Using an iron hanger can also be responsible for these stains. The iron content in the water you use for washing clothes can also be high. This gives clothes a yellowish hue that does not go away on its own. Iron stains are difficult to remove and are more visible on light-coloured clothes. Here, we will discuss a few tips on how to get rid of iron stains from clothes.

Ways to Remove Iron Stains From Clothes

There are a few simple things that you can do to remove iron stains from clothes. Not sure whether to use the same hacks for expensive clothes? Do not worry, as we have discussed tips for non-washable and dry-clean-only clothes as well.

For Washable Clothes

1. Vinegar

You can use vinegar to prevent iron stains from appearing on your clothes and even to remove them. And follow this without fail when you are washing whites! Keep your clothes soaked in warm water mixed with one tablespoon of vinegar after washing. This will prevent white clothes from turning yellow. You can also add vinegar to the water you use for washing clothes.

2. Salt

This is another kitchen essential that you can use to remove iron stains. Soak washed clothes in water mixed with a pinch of salt for 20-30 seconds. Salt helps in cutting down iron from fabric. However, do not soak clothes in salt water overnight. It lightens the colour of the fabric.

3. Lemon

Take a small slice of lemon and rub it over the rust stains. This will not only remove iron stains but all other stains from your clothes. If you are unable to see results using lemon, add a pinch of sea salt to the lemon slice before rubbing.

For cleaning rust stains on white clothes, lay the clothes out in the sun for about an hour covered with lemon and salt. This will help in removing the stains.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda is another kitchen product that you can use to remove tough iron stains from fabric. To half a bucket of cold water, add a tablespoon of baking soda. Keep your clothes soaked in this solution for 20-25 minutes and then wash off using a mild detergent.

You can also use baking soda paste for this purpose. Make a paste with baking soda and water. Spread this paste over the rust stains and let it soak into the stains. Scrub off using an old toothbrush, steel wool, or wire brush (softly, in the case of hard materials). You will need to repeat this quite a few times in the case of tough stains.

5. Cream of Tartar

Take a vessel and boil two litres of water with six spoons of cream of tartar. Remove the vessel from the heat and soak the stained clothes in hot water for 1-2 hours to get rid of rust stains. Please avoid using this method for coloured clothes and clothes with elastic.

The final option is opting for commercial rust removers. These may be expensive, but results are guaranteed. However, ensure that you choose the right kind of rust remover that will be gentle on your fabric.

For Non-washable Fabric / Dry-clean-only Clothes

Dealing with rust stains on non-washable clothes is not easy. Whether you should try it at home depends on the quality of the fabric.

Dry-clean-only expensive clothes should be sent to professional cleaners. Trying rust stain removal at home might damage the fabric, so it’s imperative that you test these methods out on a very small area of the fabric first.

1. Lemon Juice & Salt

You can apply lemon juice mixed with salt. Apply the lemon juice-salt mixture and let that sit for a bit. Keep moistening the stain with the mixture regularly. Continue doing this until the stain disappears.

2. Vinegar & Salt

In the case of non-washable fabric like carpet and upholstery, you can try the following. Sprinkle salt on the stain. Take a cloth and soak it in white vinegar. Wring the vinegar out and place the cloth on the stain. Leave the vinegar-soaked cloth on the stain for 15 minutes. Remove the cloth and place a clean cloth. Repeat until the stain disappears. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove excess salt.

These are some of the ways of removing rust stains from clothing using ingredients you can find at home. Ensure not to use bleach as this will do more harm than good. Chlorine bleach will react with iron and worsen the colour. Also, do not put the garments in a dryer unless the stains are gone.

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Do iron water stains come out?

Household Stain Removers The best way to handle mineral stains -- including iron stains -- on glass and ceramic is to dissolve them with acid. Two common household acids, vinegar and lemon juice, work well, although not as quickly as a commercial cleaning product that contains a stronger acid, such as muriatic acid.

How do you get rusty water stains out of clothes?

If you've got rust on clothing it can be removed with either white vinegar or lemon juice. Lay the clothing or fabric out on an old towel and pour a small amount of white vinegar directly on the stain - or rub a cut lemon half on the stain. Saturate it thoroughly, then blot it with a clean white towel.

How can I remove iron stains from clothes?

White vinegar and salt: make a thick paste of white vinegar and salt and gently dab the stain with it. Once the stain is fully covered, leave it for 30 minutes and rinse under cold water.

Can iron rust be removed from clothes?

Yes. To remove rust stains from clothes, mix a few drops of hydrogen peroxide together with a teaspoon of tartar cream and baking soda. Apply the resulting paste onto the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly and wash the clothes as usual.