Removing Rust from Clothes: A Repeatable Care Routine

You have rust stains on your clothes and want to remove them. Maybe a rusty nail, a metal button, or a wet metal surface left an orange-brown mark on your clothes. Rust stains are caused by iron oxide transferring from metal to fabric. Here’s a repeatable care routine for removing rust from clothes.

Rust stains on clothes are caused by iron oxide (rust) transferring from metal objects to fabric fibers. Rust bonds tightly with fabric and can be difficult to remove with regular detergent alone. The key to removing rust is using an acid (lemon juice, vinegar, or commercial rust remover) to dissolve the iron oxide, then washing in warm water. Don’t use chlorine bleach on rust stains, which can make them permanent.

To remove rust from clothes, identify the stain, apply lemon juice and salt, let sit in the sun for 30 minutes, rinse with warm water, apply white vinegar, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Don’t use chlorine bleach, don’t use hot water on fresh rust, and don’t put rust-stained clothes in the dryer.

The Repeatable Care Routine

Daily: Rust Stain Treatment

Step 1: Identify the rust stain (orange-brown mark, often near metal buttons, zippers, or rivets).

Step 2: Apply lemon juice and salt. Squeeze fresh lemon juice on the stain and sprinkle salt on top. The acid in lemon juice dissolves the iron oxide, and the salt acts as a gentle abrasive.

Step 3: Let sit in the sun. Place the stained fabric in direct sunlight for 30 minutes. UV rays help break down the rust. Keep the stain moist with lemon juice.

Step 4: Rinse with warm water. Rinse the stain with warm water to remove the lemon juice and loosened rust.

Step 5: Apply white vinegar. Apply white vinegar full strength to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Vinegar dissolves rust.

Step 6: Apply dish soap. Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Scrub with a toothbrush. Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 8: Wash in warm water. Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the wash.

Step 9: Add vinegar to the rinse. Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser.

Step 10: Check before drying. Check that the rust stain is gone. If it remains, treat again. Don’t put rust-stained clothes in the dryer.

Monthly: Machine Maintenance

Step 1: Place one tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in the washer drum.

Step 2: Set to the hottest water and longest cycle.

Step 3: Run the cycle.

Step 4: Wipe the rubber seal, dispenser, and drum.

Step 5: Leave the door open to dry.

For Stubborn Rust Stains

Use Commercial Rust Remover

For stubborn rust stains, use a commercial rust remover like Whink Rust Stain Remover. Follow the package directions. Test on a hidden area first. Don’t use on delicate fabrics.

Use Cream of Tartar

Make a paste of cream of tartar and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Cream of tartar is acidic and dissolves rust.

Use Oxalic Acid

For severe rust stains, use oxalic acid (found in some rust removers and wood bleaches). Follow the package directions carefully. Wear gloves and work in a ventilated area. Don’t use on delicate fabrics.

Use OxiClean

Add 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash. OxiClean Max Force Spray can also be applied directly to the stain.

Use Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Rust

If the rust stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Repeat the Process

Stubborn rust stains may need 2 to 3 treatments. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

How to Prevent Rust Stains on Clothes

Check Metal Objects

Check metal buttons, zippers, and rivets on clothes for rust before wearing. Replace rusty metal parts.

Don’t Dry Clothes on Rusty Surfaces

Don’t dry clothes on rusty metal surfaces like old clotheslines or radiators.

Don’t Wash with Rusty Objects

Don’t wash clothes with rusty metal objects like tools, keys, or cans.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Clean the washer monthly with affresh to prevent rust from building up in the machine.

Use the Right Water

If you have hard water with high iron content, use a water softener to prevent rust stains from the water supply.

What Not to Do

Don’t use chlorine bleach on rust stains. Chlorine bleach reacts with iron oxide and can make rust stains permanent. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean) instead.

Don’t use hot water on fresh rust stains. Hot water can set some rust stains. Use warm water.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the rust. Scrub gently with a toothbrush.

Don’t put rust-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat can set rust stains. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use commercial rust remover on delicate fabrics. Commercial rust removers can be harsh. Test on a hidden area first.

Don’t use oxalic acid without gloves. Oxalic acid is toxic. Wear gloves and work in a ventilated area.

FAQ

How do you remove rust from clothes? Apply lemon juice and salt to the stain, let sit in the sun for 30 minutes, rinse with warm water, apply white vinegar, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

Does lemon juice remove rust from clothes? Yes. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which dissolves iron oxide (rust). Apply lemon juice and salt to the stain, let sit in the sun for 30 minutes, rinse, and wash.

Does vinegar remove rust from clothes? Yes. White vinegar contains acetic acid, which dissolves rust. Apply full strength to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, and wash in warm water.

Can you use bleach on rust stains? No. Chlorine bleach reacts with iron oxide and can make rust stains permanent. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean) instead.

Can you put rust-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat can set rust stains. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

References

1. Tide. “Rust Stain Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Rust from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Rust Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.