How to Remove Rust From Various Surfaces
Rust stains seem to be hard to remove, especially when it comes to clothing. Still, it’s possible to eliminate these stains using things we have in any kitchen like lemon juice, a potato, or tomatoes with salt.
5-Minute Crafts wants to explain how you can easily get rid of rust on various surfaces.
How to remove rust from metal
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Take half of a fresh potato. Pour dishwashing liquid on the part where it was cut, then pour some salt and baking soda on top. Afterward, keep rubbing the metal surface with the cut section until the rust disappears. Then, rinse with water and dry well.
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Small metal items can be left in a container filled with vinegar overnight. Afterward, rub them well with a metal sponge or brush, removing the leftovers of the rust. If necessary, repeat the procedure and let the items soak in the vinegar for a longer period. After the rust dissolves, wash the items with dishwashing liquid, rinse with water, and dry well.
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You can use baking soda to get rid of subtle rust spots. Mix it with water so that you get a thick paste and spread it on the metal surface so that it covers the stains completely. Leave them for one hour, then rub with a metal sponge or brush, rinse with water, and dry well.
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If the stains are very small, cover them abundantly with salt, then wet them with lemon juice without removing the salt. Leave it for a couple of hours, then rub the surface with the help of a metal sponge or brush. Afterward, rinse with water to clean the surface and let it dry.
How to remove rust stains on clothes
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Use lemon juice and salt if you need to get rid of rust stains on white clothing or clothes made of rough fabrics like linen. First, sprinkle the stain with salt, then wet it properly with lemon juice. If the stain is small, it will be convenient to treat each stain separately, with the help of a Q-tip, a cotton ball, or an old toothbrush soaked in lemon juice. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then blot the stain with a clean white towel. Lay the item covered with a bedsheet to dry in the sun. Leave it on for a few hours until the stain is gone. If you are working with a piece of colorful fabric, make sure to check once an hour to see whether the lemon juice is removing the colorant from the clothes or not. Finally, you need to rinse these clothes in cold water or wash them as you normally would in the washing machine. In order to get rid of stains on delicate fabrics like wool, silk, viscose, leather, or suede, it would be better to use a laundry service.
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White vinegar can also help get rid of rust stains on clothes. If applied as early as possible, it will even be able to break down tough stains. First, put a towel under the item, then wet the stain with vinegar. Use a clean sponge or cloth to blot the stain and absorb any emerging pigment. Then leave the item to dry in the sun where the stain will continue to fade. Afterward, wash the item as usual following the recommendations of the manufacturer, and dry. If the rust stains remain, repeat the process.
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Rhubarb can also be used as an agent for removing rust stains from clothing, especially when there are many stains and there is no opportunity to rub each stain separately. Take a pot that will fit the stained item. Fill it halfway with water, put a few stalks of rhubarb in it, and bring to a boil. Keep boiling for 20 minutes, then take the rhubarb out and put the clothes with the rust stains into the pot with water. Once the stains disappear, take the clothes out and wash them as usual.
How to clean rust from a bathtub, a sink, or a toilet
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In order to remove a rust stain effectively, especially from a porcelain surface, you will need to wet a pumice and the stained area. Then carefully rub the stain with the pumice to remove the rust layer.
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There is also a more traditional way. Mix lemon juice with salt until you get a thick paste. Apply it to the rusted area, leave it for 15-20 minutes, and then remove it using an abrasive sponge.
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You can also use a paste made of baking soda and white vinegar mixed in a ratio of 3:1 as an alternative. Apply the resulting product to the rusty surface, rubbing it in with an abrasive sponge, then leave it for an hour. Afterward, rinse with water. If the stain cannot be completely removed, repeat the process.
How to remove rusty stains on tiles
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Pour some salt on the rusty stain. Then take half of a fresh tomato and rub the stain with it. Leave it for 5-7 minutes, then wipe it with a clean napkin.
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Baking soda toothpaste can also serve as an effective agent for removing rusty stains. Apply a thin layer of the paste over the stain and scrub the stain in a circular motion using a soft-bristled brush. Afterward, clean the tiles with water or a paper towel.
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Also, you can clean tiles with the help of white vinegar. Apply 2-3 tbsp of the vinegar on the stain and leave it for several minutes. Wipe the tiles with a clean soft napkin. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
How to remove rust from plastic
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Clean dirt and dust from plastic with the help of soap and warm water. Next, cover the rusty stain with baking soda. Then add white vinegar on top so that you get a thick paste. Evenly distribute the paste over the stain and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Now, using a sponge with an abrasive surface, rub the paste into the stain with circular movements until it disappears. If necessary, repeat the process several times, then rinse with water and wash the surface once again.