Laundry Tips to Remove Rust Stains From Clothes
Doing the laundry is a regular part of life for many people. But even with all the advances in technology, it may still be difficult to get clothes really clean. Rust stains still appear on clothes. Keeping clothes free of rust involves more than just regular washing. The rust gets on laundry in a variety of ways. However, a few things can be done to remove rust stains from clothes.
Water Softener
Water softeners are home appliances that remove hard minerals from the water supply of the home. Ohio State University's article Iron Stains in the Laundry reports that a mechanical water softener can generally remove the iron along with other hardness minerals. The softener filters out minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Using water filtration reduces the chances of the laundry water forming rust stains on clothes, claims the Mrs. Clean USA website. Water softeners are most useful in areas with hard water.
Laundry Appliance Cleaning
Rust stains get on clothes if the insides of a washer or dryer have rust. Although home appliances have a protective rust-proof coating, in time the coating can wear off. This makes the washer machine or dryer more susceptible to rust. When the metal of the interior of the washer or dryer comes in contact with water or moisture, rust can form. Scrub off the rust with a scrubbing pad or steel wool pad. This removes surface rust. Another rust remover is a paste made of lime juice and salt, as suggested by the Earth Easy website. Combine 2 parts table salt and 1 part lime juice in a bowl. Then apply to the rust stains with a scrubbing pad and leave on for two to three hours. Wipe the rust and paste away with a damp cloth or paper towel. Only wash and dry clothes in rust-free machines.
Phosphates
If mechanical water softeners are not needed, there are other ways to get rust out of laundry. Add a compound to the laundry water. Use a non-precipitating packaged water softener, advises Ohio State University. These products are usually made of phosphates. Add this packaged water softener to the water along with the regular laundry detergent. Follow the directions on the packaged water softener's label to know how much to use. Another option is to use a phosphate laundry detergent, instead of regular detergent, and oxygen bleach. These products are sold online and in some large supermarkets.
Rust Removers
Another way to get rust out of laundry is to use a rust remover made for fabrics, suggests the Good Housekeeping website. These products are sold in supermarkets. Read the directions carefully. With most products, apply a small amount of the rust remover to the rust stains on the clothes. Wait 10 to 30 minutes or the prescribed amount of time suggested on the label; then wash the clothes as usual.
Check the Water
Before doing laundry, run the water near the laundry room to see if it is discolored. Then fill the washing machine with water before adding any clothes or detergent. If the water is discolored, allow the water to empty through the rinse cycle. This will clean the water line, reports Ohio State University. Then fill up the washing machine again. The water should be clear this time. Use this water to wash the clothes.
Stains After Washing
If you notice rust stains on the clothes after you launder them, do not dry the clothes, advises Ohio State University. The heat of the dryer sets in the rust. Instead, wash the rusty clothes again in water that is not discolored. If the clothes still have rust stains after the second washing, use a rust remover made for fabrics.
Tags: laundry, tips, remove, rust, stains, clothes, Ohio State, Ohio State University, rust remover, stains clothes, State University, water softener, laundry water, packaged water
