Rust is the nightmare of every household. It seems to appear out of nowhere and not only rust stains are ugly but they are really stubborn. When dealing with rust a lot of people intuitively grab chlorine bleach but this is absolutely irrational as it will just make the spot worse – it can actually set it. However, removing rust is not an insurmountable task and by considering well the surface you are treating you can successfully accomplish this mission. Read on and check these tips out.
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First of all, before you even begin to scrub the rust stain, give the entire surface a good basic cleaning. For instance, cleaning the spot from your sink will be much easier if you simply spray down the whole surface with some white distilled vinegar and use a scrub brush to wash it. By doing this you will disinfect properly the area and dissolve any residues that can get between you and the stain.
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Alright, what about the rust stains on fabric? Most of the products that are designed to remove rust contain acids. However, sometimes they dissolve other things that you weren’t aiming for – the fabric. The best solution to remove a rusty stain from your favorite shirt is to use a mixture of salt and lemon juice. Still, you should be cautious as even this slightly acidic solution may discolour your clothing. Make sure you test it on a small hidden spot on your fabric so you won’t damage it. When you are done with the test, put your clothing on a flat and clean surface – use your countertop. Now you need to cover the stain with table salt and squeeze a lemon all over so the juice soaks in the pile of salt. Don`t make it too fluid. You can always mix salt and lemon juice in a cup so you get the right consistency. When applied on the fabric you should let it sit for about half an hour. Rinse it with cool water afterwards. Repeat if necessary. This method also works on hard surfaces but they should be oriented horizontally and stay dry as otherwise the solution will be washed away and it won’t work.
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Another interesting way to deal with rust stains we heard from some end of tenancy cleaners. You can use a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide to remove rust from hard surfaces and fabrics. But how does this work? Cream of tartar contains acid and hydrogen peroxide has oxygen bleach and when combined result in effective removal of your rust stain. Pour two or three tablespoons of peroxide and add cream of tartar to form a thick paste. Spread it over the stain and let it sit for half an hour. Rinse it with water - the rust will be gone!
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Check these two natural solutions for cleaning rust stains from your items, too. The first way is to make a paste with good old baking soda and warm water and apply it to the affected area. Let it sit for about 15 minutes and gently scrub the debris with a toothbrush. Your second option is to cut a potato in half and dip it in dish detergent. The substances will create a chemical reaction and will help you to remove the rusty stains. Put some slices of potato for a few hours over the rusty area and rinse with water afterwards. You can also slightly scrub it with a soft brush.
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Believe it or not, cleaning your chrome surfaces from rust stains is a piece of cake. All you need is aluminum foil and water. Crumple the foil into a ball and dip it in cold water.Maybe you are wondering why steel wool is not the better option. Well, if you want scratches along with the desired outcome, you can use it. However, the smart decision it to choose aluminum foil. Why? Rust itself is oxidized metal which means it has extra oxygen atoms. The aluminum will take these atoms away and break down the rust, leaving you a shining chrome surface. Simple like that!
Don’t panic when you notice a rust stain. Now you have a long list of cleaning techniques that are not only efficient but natural, too!
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