Metal Rust Stain Removal Tips

Even a small rust stain on your metal furniture can be enough to make it look unsightly. Knowing the best way to remove these can keep your furniture looking its best, as well as prevent transfer to clothing.    

Step 1 – Identify Extent

Though you may have noticed a rust stain in a single location on a particular item of furniture, it is still worthwhile taking the time to fully examine it to check whether there are any further instances of rust staining. This will enable you to remove all of the stains at the same time. This examination will also enable you to determine the severity of the stain, which will help you decide which method is needed to fix it.

Step 2 – Minor and Recent Stains

Minor and recent rust stains should be relatively easy to remove from metal furniture with natural household products. Though prepared rust removal solutions are available from hardware stores, these tend to be highly toxic and will require the use of safety equipment and an effective method of ventilation. Instead of making use of this type of substance, create a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar and rub this into the surface at the site of repair with a cloth which has been lightly dampened with water. The acid of the vinegar and the abrasive qualities of the baking soda should be sufficient to remove the stain, however, if something more powerful is required, replace the vinegar with lemon juice to clean the stains.

Step 3 – Deeper Stains

Any rust stains that cannot be deemed minor will need a little more work to remove them. In the spray bottle, mix a solution using the soda crystals in accordance with the instructions and spray it onto the rust stain. Apply some tomato ketchup to the surface on top of this solution, which is a substance that has the type of ingredients to make it ideal for removing rust stains. Be careful to avoid any upholstered sections of the furniture. Leave this mixture in place for at least an hour before wiping it off with a soft clean cloth.   

Step 4 – Severe Stains

If you want to avoid using a toxic rust remover but need to get rid of severe stains, begin with a wire brush or piece of fine sandpaper to remove the excess. At this point, consider using Borax as it is not too harsh a substance and can be mixed with hydrogen peroxide to create a paste to apply to the stain. Leave this in place for at least an hour before wiping it away.   

Step 5 – Upholstery   

Where a rust stain has affected some fabric that makes up part of your metal furniture, treat it with neat lemon juice and leave it in place for at least half an hour. Use a water dampened soft cloth to rub at the surface before using a dry cloth to soak up any excess water.