Removing Rust Stains from Toilets

Orange rust stains are unsightly in toilet bowls, sinks, tubs, and shower stalls. Keeping the stains at bay necessitates regular cleaning with the appropriate products. All-purpose bathroom cleaners will not effectively remove rust stains, and using chlorine bleach may cause rust stains to become permanent.

Acid-based cleaners are commonly used to remove rust stains from finished surfaces such as bathroom fixtures. The acids can be mild, such as citric acid (lemon juice), acetic acid (distilled white vinegar), tartaric acid (cream of tartar), or strong, such as the hydrochloric and sulfuric acids found in commercial rust remover products. The acid reacts with the rust, allowing it to loosen its grip on other surfaces.

How to Get Rid of Rust and Food Stains on Stainless Steel

Most powdered commercial rust removers contain sodium hydrosulfite, a salt compound that works well on fabrics, stone, and finished surfaces such as porcelain. Gentle abrasives such as baking soda and pumice can also aid in the removal of rust particles from porcelain.

What Causes Rust Stains

Rust appears on uncoated metal surfaces when iron and oxygen react with moisture to form iron oxide. That explains the rust stain left on the sink’s edge by a shaving cream can or razor blade. Rust stains near sink and tub drains and toilet bowls, on the other hand, are caused by water containing high levels of iron particulates, iron bacteria, or iron plumbing pipes, rusty water heaters, or untreated metal components in toilet tanks.

The stains are most common in homes that use well water and are located in hard-water areas. Rust particles can cling to the porcelain or enamel surfaces of bathroom fixtures due to the combination of iron bacteria and minerals in the water. Unfortunately, unless the water is filtered or treated with a water-softening system, the stains will reappear after cleaning.

How Often Should Rust Stains on Toilets, Tubs, and Sinks Be Removed?

Pay special attention to the areas prone to rust stains when cleaning the bathroom on a weekly basis. It’s also a good idea to thoroughly dry sinks, tubs, and showers after each use so that rust particles in the water don’t settle on the surfaces.

Make Use of Citric Acid’s Potency

Citric acid can be obtained from fresh lemons, limes, grapefruits, lemon or lime juice, or powdered citric acid, which is available at grocery and drug stores. If you’re scrubbing with a fresh citrus fruit, dip the cut edge in salt or baking soda to provide a gentle abrasive as you scrub the rust-stained area.

Make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda and apply it to the rusty area for heavily stained areas. Cover the paste with plastic wrap and set it aside for at least an hour to help break down the rust particles.

Make a paste with a few drops of water and apply it directly to the stained area if using citric acid powder. Scrub the stain away with a scrub brush or an old toothbrush and some elbow grease.

Make use of Distilled White Vinegar. The acetic acid in distilled white vinegar works well to remove rust stains. It, like citric acid, can be used on a weekly basis to help prevent rust stains from becoming permanent. While food-grade distilled white vinegar can be used, cleaning vinegar with a higher acidity is preferable for removing tough rust stains.

Spray vinegar on rust stains to clean sinks, tubs, and shower walls on a weekly basis. Clean the area with a scrub brush and then thoroughly rinse. You can also check our boiler repair islington services.