How to Remove Rust Stains From Clothes, Carpet, and Upholstery

Get old, dried rust stains out of fabrics using household items.

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 - 30 mins
  • Total Time: 3 - 12 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to 20

While not as common as other household stains, rust from a home renovation project, dirty tools, or an old safety pin in the fabric can surely stain your clothing, couch, or carpet. Rust stains are among the most challenging spots to remove from fabric, as they sometimes cannot be eliminated by regular laundering, and using chlorine bleach will only make them permanent.

Ways to Remove Rust Stains From Clothes

The Spruce / Alison Czinkota

Fortunately, most commercial rust removers are effective and safe for colorfast fabrics. You can also take measures to remove rust stains at home using items you likely already have in your cupboard. Always wear gloves when removing rust stains, and never place a still-stained item into a machine dryer, as the heat can set the stain.

Stain type Mineral-based
Detergent type Heavy-duty laundry detergent and stain remover
Wash temperature Varies by fabric
Cycle type Varies by fabric

Tip

If your stained garment is labeled as dry clean only, remove excess rust but do not rub the stain. Visit your dry cleaner immediately and identify the stain.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Cloth (optional)
  • Gloves

Materials

  • Table salt
  • Lemon juice
  • Cream of tartar
  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Commercial stain remover

Instructions

ingredients for removing rust stains
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

How to Remove Rust Stains From Clothes

  1. Apply Salt and Lemon Juice

    You should have no problems with white or ecru-colored fabrics, but for darker-colored fabrics that may not be colorfast, test the lemon juice first on a seam or inconspicuous spot to see if fading or bleaching occurs. 

    • Sprinkle salt on the rust stain.
    • Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the salt.
    • Spread the garment in the sun to dry. The ultraviolet rays of the sun will help speed the reaction.
    salt and lemon juice
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 
  2. Apply a Stain-Removing Paste

    This is an alternative to the salt/lemon method.

    • Make a paste by combining 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar (it's acidic, similar to lemon juice and vinegar), 1 teaspoon baking soda, and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide.
    • Apply the paste to the stain and allow it to work for 30 minutes.
    • Rinse the fabric thoroughly.

    Tip

    Try distilled white vinegar to remove light rust stains, as well. The acid, combined with salt or baking soda, will react with the rust to make it more water-soluble.

    paste for rust remoal
    The Spruce
  3. Apply Rust Remover

    As another alternative, apply a commercial rust remover to white and colorfast fabrics. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully; many removers are highly toxic and can burn skin and damage appliance finishes. Apply the remover, let it sit for a few seconds, and rinse thoroughly.

    using a rust stain remover
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
  4. Wash as Usual

    putting the garment into the washer
    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

How to Remove Rust Stains From Carpet and Upholstery

You can use similar methods for rust removal on carpet and upholstery as you would on clothing. You will need tools including a butter knife. white cloth, a vacuum, a bowl, and gloves. You will also supplies including liquid dishwashing soap, ammonia, baking soda, and lemon juice. Take these steps:

  • Use a butter knife to scrape away and loosen any visible rust from the carpet or fabric fibers. Then, use a vacuum to remove the loose particles and lift the fibers.
  • Mix 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and 1 tablespoon of household ammonia with 2 cups of warm water in a small bowl. Dip a clean white cloth into the solution and saturate the stained area. Do not oversaturate upholstery fabric because excess moisture in the cushion or padding causes problems.
  • Let the solution sit for at least five minutes, then blot with another clean cloth. Replace with a clean cloth as the rust stain begins to transfer and dirty the first cloth. Blot with a cloth dipped in plain water to rinse away the soapy residue and let the carpet or upholstery dry.
  • Alternatively, make a thick paste of 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply the paste to any remaining stain. Let the mixture sit for at least two hours or until it is dry.
  • Vacuum the treated area to remove the baking soda and to lift carpet or fabric fibers.

Additional Tips for Removing Rust Stains

  • Repeat removal steps if the stain remains after initial treatment, or you can try a different solvent or cleaner.
  • If rust stains are a recurring problem on your clothes, carpet, or upholstery, you'll have to track down the source of the rust to prevent the stains from continuing. Rust stains from corroded metal furniture, locks, walls, or cars are easy to track down, but sometimes they appear on laundry with little explanation.
  • If the rust problem comes from iron bacteria, there are ways to treat the water. You should replace rusty pipes and water heaters as soon as possible, and you can repair chipped enamel in a washer or dryer with appliance repair paint.
FAQ
  • How do you remove old, dried rust stains from fabric?

    Use salt or baking soda with another agent, like lemon juice, to remove old, dried rust stains from fabric. The salt or baking soda acts as a mild abrasive while other more acidic ingredients dissolve the rust coloration.

  • Does vinegar really remove rust?

    Vinegar helps remove rust from tools, surfaces, and even from clothing and other fabrics. White vinegar is a weak acid that reacts with an old, oxidized rust stain to make it more water-soluble.

  • What is the most effective rust stain remover?

    Commercial rust stain removal products are your best bet for getting out excessively tough rust stains on clothing.