Rust stains can appear on your toilet, sink, and tub for several reasons. They can occur if you don’t regularly clean your bathroom appliances or if you have hard mineral deposits – perhaps due to the use of well water or water with a high iron content. The stains can also be the result of rusty water pipe leakage or other plumbing issues.
As unattractive as rust stains are, they can usually be removed if you use the correct products. These environmentally friendly methods are inexpensive and pretty simple. You may even find that you already have these items around your home and can begin the stain removal task right away.
Before you begin cleaning, make certain that you open the bathroom door and windows, if any, for ventilation purposes. Use rubber gloves and protective eyewear when cleaning to avoid direct contact with germs and cleansers. Also, make certain that others in the home know not to use the bathroom for a while.
Below are some stain removers you may already have at home. Many people prefer these because they don’t have harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
- Lemon Juice And Borax Powder
- White Vinegar And Water
- White Vinegar And Baking Soda – Removing Toilet Rust Stains
- Pumice Stick
The combination of lemon juice and Borax powder, which is made from a natural mineral, generally removes rust stains. Combine a cup of Borax with half a cup of lemon juice and stir until the solution becomes a paste. Apply the paste onto the stain using a sponge and let it absorb into the porcelain for a few hours. Then remove and your stain should be gone.
Make a half and half solution with white vinegar and water. Pour the solution on a cloth and rub the stains with the cloth. You can also use a sprayer bottle for the solution rather than a cloth. If you have stubborn stains, use more vinegar than water in your solution. Allow the solution to soak into the porcelain before rinsing.
Pour half a cup of baking soda into your toilet bowl and spray it with vinegar. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes and then scrub the toilet bowl with your toilet brush. If there are still stains after scrubbing, add a second half cup of baking soda with warm water and saturate the stubborn stains. Add a half teaspoon of tea tree oil to the solution for its antibacterial properties.
Wet the pumice stick and rub it directly on the stains before rinsing and cleaning.
If you find that the rust stains are recurring, you may want to have your pipes checked for leaks by an experienced plumber.
FloHawks Can Help
When you are seeing rust stains in your sinks, tubs, or toilets over and over again, you may be surprised to find that there is an underlying plumbing issue. For peace of mind, call FloHawks or schedule an appointment online and our team will gladly visit your home and inspect your pipes.
