Rust stains on clothes come from work in the garden or garage, wet metal pegs and hangers, a rusty clothes airer on the balcony, or rivets and zips left damp for a long time. A normal wash will not shift them, and hot water or drying in the sun after washing only sets the stain.
The good news is that rust can be removed from fabric at home. The key is to choose a remedy that suits the fabric and to remove the metal that keeps leaving the marks.
What you will need
- cold water
- lemon juice or citric acid, table salt
- white vinegar for coloured items
- old toothbrush, white cotton cloth
- laundry detergent
- WD-40 Multi-Use for metal hangers and the airer
- WD-40 Specialist Silicone for zips
Important: Test any remedy on a hidden spot such as an inside seam. Lemon juice lightens fabric, so do not use it on coloured items. Take silk, wool and dry-clean-only items to a dry cleaner. Do not iron or tumble dry the garment until the stain has completely gone.
Step 1
Choose a remedy for the fabric
Lemon juice with salt works best on white cotton and linen. For coloured items and old stains, use vinegar diluted half and half with water. For denim and heavy workwear, a citric acid solution (a teaspoon per glass of water) works, but test it on a seam first.
If the stain is fresh and mixed with greasy grime from a bike or tool, remove the grease first and the rust afterwards.
Step 2
Apply the remedy
Wet the stain with cold water. Apply lemon juice, sprinkle with salt and rub gently with your fingers or a soft toothbrush. With vinegar, simply soak the stain well. Put white cotton underneath so the stain does not transfer to another layer.
A greasy stain on heavy fabric can be pre-treated with a drop of washing-up liquid before tackling the rust.
Step 3
Let it work
Leave the garment for 15-30 minutes. White cotton treated with lemon can go in the sun, as light boosts the bleaching effect. Keep coloured items in the shade so they do not fade. Do not let the remedy dry out completely; dampen it again if needed.
Step 4
Wash in cold water
Rinse the stain in cold water and check the result. If a mark remains, repeat the previous two steps: old stains often need 2-3 rounds. When the stain has gone, wash the garment as usual at the temperature on the label.
Step 5
Remove the cause
Check metal hangers, pegs and the airer on the balcony: any orange spot will transfer to wet fabric again. Clean off the rust, treat them with WD-40 Multi-Use and then wipe thoroughly dry so no product reaches the fabric. The thin straw of the WD-40 Smart Straw reaches the hinges of a folding airer.
For stiff, oxidised metal zips on jackets and bags, apply WD-40 Specialist Silicone to the teeth, keeping it off the fabric.
Tip: Do not hang wet clothes on metal hangers or old spring pegs: in damp rooms and on an autumn balcony they produce rust within days. Plastic or wooden drying accessories solve the problem entirely.
What next
A stain treated promptly disappears almost without a trace, while one set by a hot wash needs many repeats. Check airers and hangers once a season, especially before the damp autumn weather.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».