There are many things around our homes made of iron and steel. From gardening tools to outdoor furniture and your barbecue grill, these materials are everywhere. If they’re not painted or coated with a special primer, or their exterior has become scratched or worn, they are subject to rust.
Rust is a substance composed of iron oxide that occurs when iron or steel comes in contact with water and air. It doesn’t have to be a lot of water; it could simply be the humidity in the air. While keeping rust out of your clothes is as simple as staying away from surfaces that typically have it, this isn’t always possible. Because of this, it’s important to know what to do when you get a rust stain on your clothes.
Rust stains are a difficult stain to remove. The stain is often easily smeared and flaky, which means it can turn into a larger stain quickly. In some cases complete removal simply isn’t possible. When this occurs, you should always seek the help of a professional dry cleaner to save your clothing. For most rust stains on clothes, however, you can use the following tips.
- Act quickly. The faster you address the problem, the more likely you’ll be able to get rust stains out of clothes.
- Choose a rust stain remover and detergent that fits your clothing type.
- Pre-treat the stain.
- Wash and rinse the stain at the hottest possible wash temperature according to the label on the clothing.
- Verify that the stain is gone.
The detergent and stain remover you opt for will depend on the colour and fabric of your clothing. For most items, choose from the range of Cold Power products. For delicate fabrics, we recommend trying Cold Power Sensitive.
To get rid of heavy rust stains a special rust stain remover might be necessary. Such special pre-treater are available in DIY stores, but please check the instruction for use and the care label of your clothes before applying it.
Take a look at the garment label. Wash the fabric in the highest possible temperature this label allows using your chosen Cold Power detergent.
If the stain isn’t completely gone after the first wash, pre-treat it and wash again. Do not dry the clothing until the stain is gone as this can cause the stain to set.
Certain fabrics may not be machine-washable, either because they are too delicate or too large for the washing machine. If this is the case, hand washing with Cold Power Sensitive is a good option.
Wondering how to remove rust stains from white clothes? Getting this type of stain out of white shirt or pair of pants can be difficult, but not impossible. Follow the steps above to see if the stain comes out. You may need to pre-treat and rinse the stain several times. When the stain fades, wash the shirt in the hottest possible temperature allowed by the garment label.
Accidentally brush up against a rusted bench or carry a rusted wheelbarrow? If you have rust stains on your clothes, act immediately and use these tips to get rid of them.