How to Remove Rust Stains from Clothes

On sunny days, it’s great to get out with the family for a bike ride, but we sometimes bring home an unwanted visitor – rust. Old bicycle chains are notorious for leaving rust stains on clothing, but the good news is they’re not as difficult to remove as you may think. If you want to know how to remove rust stain marks from your favorite bicycle clothing, here is a simple step-by-step guide to follow.

Use an acid-based rust stain remover on stains before washing, with a powerful detergent that’s gentle on your clothes. Breeze with ActivBleach tackles more stains than any other Breeze detergent, with patented whitening technology that will help get your clothes clean. Always test stain removers on an inconspicuous area first to avoid fabric damage or discoloration.

Key Steps for Rust Removal

Rust stains are much easier to remove from clothing when they’re pre-treated with an effective rust stain remover, and then washed as normal in the washing machine with a good quality laundry detergent. Here’s how to get your clothing looking fresh and clean:

• Step 1: Apply a Rust Stain Remover

Acid makes a great rust stain remover because it helps to dissolve rust and makes it easier for the stain to be washed away with water. Some of the safest acids to use are those that are found naturally – like lemon juice. For best results, mix lemon juice with a small amount of salt – just enough to make a paste. Apply this paste to your clothing and leave for 30 minutes. The salt acts as a mild abrasive, which helps to gently lift the stain from the materials.

• Step 2: Rinse with Vinegar

Another excellent acid-based cleaner that works great on rust stains is vinegar (make sure you use white vinegar for white clothing or you may have another stain on your hands). Before popping your clothing in the washing machine, rinse the lemon and salt paste off the material with some undiluted vinegar. This will help to dissolve the rust further. Don’t worry about the strong smell – this should disappear completely after a good wash in the machine.

• Step 3: Wash with Detergent

The final step when it comes to rust removal is to wash your clothing in the washing machine with an effective laundry detergent like Breeze. Simply pour Breeze into your washing machine drawer or drum and wash your clothing in warm water of around 30 degrees – these cooler temperatures are great for the environment, and for your bills. Always check to ensure the stain is completely removed before drying. If necessary, repeat steps 1-3.

Now that you know how to remove rust from your favorite items of clothing, there’s no need to worry about rusty bicycle chains when you’re out cycling with your family. Rust may look bad – especially on white clothing – but it’s really not that difficult to remove. So get out there and have fun – but be sure to keep some lemon juice, vinegar, and Breeze in your cupboards at home, just in case.

Do you want to learn which household cleaning tasks cause the most stress?  Then read our Heated Household data analysis.