Rust stains on tiles can be unsightly and highly frustrating. Rust is caused by iron in water and can occur anywhere – if you live near the coast or have a well, you’re more likely to see it on your tiles. When water leaks down the drain and comes into contact with the iron in your pipes, it creates rust.
Rust will permanently stain your bathroom tile and make it look dirty. If you leave wet towels or dishcloths lying around after washing up, you’ll increase the risk of rust forming on your tiles.
Cleaning rust off your tiled surfaces is relatively easy, as you may not need to be an expert or hire some tiles servicing companies. It depends on what surface you want to clean and what type of cleaning product you will use. The methods included here effectively remove rust stains from tiles, but they may differ when removing them from other surfaces.
Methods to Remove Rust From Tiles
We all know that rust is one of the toughest stains to get off tiles. If you are facing difficulties in removing rust from tiles, then do not worry! We have listed some of the most effective ways that help you get rid of this stubborn stain from your tiled areas.
WD-40
WD-40 is a well-known multi-purpose product that can be used on various surfaces. It is well-suited to clean ferrous oxide deposits from almost any surface in your home, including concrete floors and tile walls. It is not only capable of removing rust from surfaces like kitchen tiles and bathrooms but also makes your floor tiles look as good as new.
All you need to do is shower WD-40 on the rusted areas and let it settle down for at least 10 minutes before cleaning it away with a cloth. If there are stubborn stains, you can scrub them with a sponge or toothbrush before wiping them away. WD-40 also works well to clean rust off the stainless steel refrigerator door, the shower door and even outdoor furniture.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural rust remover that you can use to clean your tiles to their original shine. Lemon contains citric acid, which reacts with iron oxide and loosens the bonds holding the rust in place. Get rust, iron and plaque off with this quick and easy solution.
Sprinkle salt over the tile surface, then pour lemon juice onto the area and let it sit for 10 minutes. After this time, scrub away any stains with a brush or wash them off with warm water. After you have scrubbed the surface, rinse the area with water to remove the residues of lemon juice.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium Bicarbonate is excellent for cleaning, deodorising and sanitising. You can use it to remove rust stains from almost any surface in your home; naturally, that includes windows, sinks and drains. When combined with cold water and a concentrated alkaline solution, it becomes even more effective at removing rust from tiles, metals and other surfaces.
The paste can be made using either baking soda itself or baking soda mixed with water and dishwashing liquid to make it runny enough to apply smoothly. Once the scrubbing is completed, rinse off the application area with water to remove all traces of the rust-removing paste.
Cleaning Vinegar
Clean your tiles with cleaning vinegar is a safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly way to clean surfaces. Cleaning vinegar is an environment-friendly cleaner that removes rust and sanitise surfaces effectively, leaving them shiny and spotless.
To remove rust from a tile, you’ll need to dilute vinegar. This makes the acid less intrusive and helps avoid pitting the surface of your tiles. Dilute 1 part vinegar with 25 parts water and spray on the surfaces where rust occurs. Wait 5-10 minutes before scrubbing with a firm-bristled brush.
Kerosene Oil
Kerosene is one of the most common ways to remove rust from tiles and grout. Kerosene can be a potent rust remover but causes severe headaches and coughing when inhaled. Wearing protective gear is recommended to avoid these issues.
Use a brush or cloth to apply kerosene oil on the rust stain, and leave it for about an hour. Wipe away the extra oil with a damp towel and then wash with water.