Nobody wants to see gross, ugly rust stains on surfaces in their otherwise pristine white bathroom. You look at your porcelain tile and all you see are reddish, brownish-orange streaks that never seem to come out no matter how hard you attack them with chemical cleaning products and textured sponges. What gives? Are you just doomed to have a rust-stained bathroom forever?
Definitely not! It is possible to remove rust stains from your bathroom. You might be surprised to find that it’s actually a lot easier than you are expecting. Of course, it’s important to remember that regular cleaning and preventative measures are the best options out of any. You want to address those streaks of orange and brown as soon as you see them and before they get too bad. However, if they surprised you (they appeared in a guest bathroom that you rarely ever go in, for example) or you neglected them for far too long before making a resolution to start maintaining a clean bathroom, then rest assured these stains are not hopeless lost causes.
One quick thing to remember: Don’t ever go after a rust stain with bleach. Never. While bleach has a reputation for being one of those cleaning products that can remove any kind of stain, that’s not the case with rust. Due to the way chemicals react, bleach could actually exacerbate the appearance of a rust stain. It makes the rust color darker and more vivid. At the same time, if you’re cleaning a white surface, the bleach might successfully make the rest of the surface a brighter, cleaner white, so the vivid rust stain stands out even more.
If you’re going to successfully clean up a rust stain, you need to understand what causes a rust stain in the first place…
What Causes Rust Stains
Rust stains happen when there’s a chemical reaction between iron, oxygen, and water. When iron and oxygen spend too much time submerged in water or sitting around in moist, humid environments (both of which are likely scenarios in a bathroom), they form iron oxide and rust starts to build upon surfaces.
Rust in your bathroom could occur from one of two things: There could be iron in your bathroom, such as the bottom of an aerosol can, the blade of your shaving razor, the hinges on your medicine cabinet, or even the metal around your light fixture. If any of these metals are exposed to too much water for a prolonged period of time, the result will be rust stains.
But the rust might also be caused not because of metal objects you have in your bathroom but because of metal existing in your water supply. If your home is on well water, and your water is what’s often referred to as “soft,” you could have high levels of minerals like iron in your water. When these minerals build up on bathroom surfaces, they leave rust behind. If you’re going to remove these rust stains, there needs to be another chemical reaction. This chemical reaction will break down the rust and loosen any bond it has to the surface it is staining. In order for this chemical reaction to occur, there needs to be an acid.
What Acids You Can Use
If the word “acid” makes you panic, don’t worry. Acidic cleaning products don’t have to be toxic or hazardous. While the hydrochloric and sulfuric acid found in commercial rust remover can be strong and effective, you could go a milder route by using natural acids in nontoxic products you already have around the house:
Citric Acid: This is a naturally occurring acid found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit. Lemons are the strongest source of citric acid. Cut a lemon in half and rub its juice on a rusty surface to break the rust down.
Acetic Acid: This is the type of acid found in vinegar, such as distilled white vinegar, which makes a great nontoxic household cleaning product. Put white vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz it generously onto a rust stain. Allow it to sit before scrubbing it away.
Tartaric Acid: This acid is found in cream of tartar, also known as potassium bitartrate. You probably have cream of tartar in your pantry because it’s useful in cooking and baking. Sprinkle it onto a rusty surface, add a little bit of water to turn it into a paste, and scrub.
Don’t Forget Your Abrasive
In addition to an acidic compound, an abrasive surface can be very helpful when you’re trying to remove rust. Try using a powder such as coarse table salt or baking soda. You can also use a heavy texture sponge or magic eraser. Pumice, a naturally occurring volcanic rock that’s often sold for cosmetic uses, can also provide the abrasion needed to remove rust.
Got rust? Our professional team can help you remove it. Give us a call today at 410-768-5350.