In This Post:
– Household ingredients to remove rust stains
– DIY commercial rust stain remover
– How to remove rust from linoleum floor
– How to remove rust from ceramic tiles
– How to remove rust from vinyl floor
– How to remove rust from natural stone
Rust spots on the floor occur due to hard water reacting to metal furniture, gas cylinders, utensils and many other things. The rust develops over time giving an unsightly appearance. Not only does it look unclean, but the rust also causes holes in the floor, weakening the flooring. But you need not worry, you can easily get rid of those difficult rust stains by using some of the most common household ingredients.
Common Household Ingredients that Help in Removing Rust Stains from Flooring
There are many ingredients that are usually available at home which can help lift rust stains quickly from any surface.
- Vinegar
- Lemon
- Kerosene
- Toothpaste
Let’s discuss these in detail.
Vinegar
Vinegar is one of those household ingredients that is effective in removing rust stains, grease and mineral deposits from any surface. To help get rid of rust stains, pour a significant amount of vinegar on the rust spot and leave it for a good 10 to 15 minutes. Take a clean cloth and wipe the surface. Repeat the process again and you will see the stain lighten up. You can repeat the process until the stain completely goes away.
Lemon
Lemon is high in citric acid which is why it is an extremely effective natural cleaner found in almost every household. Not only does it cleans any burnt utensil, but due to its antibacterial properties, it is known to make a surface squeaky clean, free from germs.
Squeeze some lemon juice on the rust spot. Sprinkle some salt on it. Using a toothbrush, rub it well. You will find the rust stain removed. Repeat the process until the surface is completely rust-free and clean.
Kerosene
Kerosene oil is another household ingredient that cleanses the surface thoroughly. Pour around two tablespoons of kerosene oil onto the spot. Allow it to sit for around 10 minutes. With the help of a cotton cloth, rub the surface clean. Do not wash it with water. Just wipe it with a soft cloth.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is also a mild cleaning agent. Cover the rust stain with a thin layer of toothpaste. Sprinkle some baking soda on it and using a soft-bristled brush, gently rub the surface using circular motion. It would take 3-4 applications as toothpaste is a mild cleaner, but the stain will be removed eventually.
Apart from using natural cleaning agents to remove rust stains from flooring, you can also make a DIY commercial remover for rust stains.
How to Make a DIY Commercial Remover for Rust Stains on Flooring
Many home improvement stores have oxalic acid solution powder that is quite effective in removing rust stains quickly. You have to be extra careful in making the solution on your own at home as oxalic acid is extremely poisonous. So, purchase only a small amount and keep the remaining material away from children’s reach.
To prepare the solution, use oxalic acid solution and any regular cleaner. Spray with a regular household cleaner to activate the acid. Cover the spot with an upside down bucket or else the fumes might irritate you. Be extra careful, if you have an asthmatic patient at home. Leave the solution on the rust spot for an hour and then rinse well with clean water.
For your convenience, we will now discuss how to remove rust stains on different floors – from ceramic, linoleum to natural stone and vinyl flooring.
How to remove rust stains from linoleum tile flooring
If you are specifically looking for solutions to remove rust stains from linoleum tiles, then try using vinegar to spot clean the surface. Apply concentrated amounts of vinegar on the surface and sprinkle some baking soda over it. Let it rest for a good half an hour. Scrub the surface using a brush and wipe it clean. Repeat the process until the surface is as good as new.
How to remove rust stains from ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles that are most commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms get rust stains from buckets and other bathroom or kitchen accessories. They are quite an eyesore. Using abrasive methods can crack the ceramic tile or discolour it. It is important to be gentle, yet firm when removing rust stains from ceramic tiles. Squeeze a lemon juice and, using a soft brush, gently rub it. Keep repeating the process until the surface is clean. It is a bit slow and if the stains are old and tough, it would take some time, but rest assured the stains will be easily removed.
Slice a tomato and rub it on the stain, squeezing the juice of it to fall on the stain. Sprinkle some rock salt on it. If this doesn’t work, then bleach is also an effective way of removing rust from ceramic tiles. But don’t frequently wash the bathroom using regular bleach or it can corrode the grout and water can seep in, causing seepage problems.
How to remove rust stains from vinyl flooring
Mix some lemon juice with two tablespoons of borax to form a paste. Let it sit for an hour and then rinse with a dry cloth. Vinegar and salt also work best on vinyl flooring. Take either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar and mix some salt in it. Apply it on the stain. Let it sit for an hour or so until the stain is lifted.
How to remove rust stains from natural stone
Because of their chemical composition and molecular structure, rust stains can be seen in stone countertops, granite floors, especially around faucets or near water surfaces. The best way to clear rust stains from granite floors is to stop them from developing in the first place. For that you need to keep the granite floors well-sealed. When the surfaces are properly sealed, you only have to worry about the surface rust that is far easier to remove and clean.
While you can use the regular household cleaning agents like lemon and vinegar, it might erode the natural stone’s surface. The best way to clean rust stains off natural stone is to spray a 4% hydrogen peroxide solution on the stained surface. Use a cleaning brush and allow it to sit for 24 hours, then rinse with water. If the stain is still persistent, you must call a professional to deal with it.
We hope our guide to cleaning rust stains from floors would prove fruitful to you. You must check out these informative blogs on:
- Budget-friendly ways to clean different types of floor tiles
- DIY hacks for cleaning hardwood floors
- DIY hacks to clean cement stains from tiles
- How to remove paint stains from floors?
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