Rusty or Red Water Laundry Symptoms
- Yellow, red or brown stains
- Yellowing, especially when chlorine bleach is used
What is Red Water?
Rusty or red water is caused by iron that may be dissolved in the water, suspended as particles or as iron bacteria. The iron may come from the water supply or from a water heater or metal parts in a well that are rusty.
Getting Rid of the Red
Replacement of a rusty water heater may solve the problem. Dissolved iron may be removed by water softening equipment, special iron-removal equipment or filters, chlorination and filtering through sand and carbon or by aeration followed by sand filtration.
Chlorination and filtering also removes iron bacteria. Chlorine reacts with the bacteria to form particles of iron (an insoluble precipitate) which do not dissolve and settle out of the water. This must be done through a filtration system. If the iron precipitate is formed in the washer by the use of chlorine bleach it will be deposited in the fabric and cannot be removed.
Fixing Laundry Problems
To remove rust stains that have already occurred from white and colorfast washable fabrics, use a commercial rust remover following product directions. Do not use commercial rust removers in the washing machine. Be sure all traces of rust remover are rinsed from the fabric.
A more economical and eco-friendly method is to sprinkle salt on the spot and dampen it with lemon juice. Dry articles in the sun, then rinse. Test procedures on a hidden portion of the article first, since they may cause color change. Take non-colorfast fabrics to a commercial laundry for professional treatment.
