Do you have an issue with rust stains ruining the tiles on your floor? You aren’t alone if so, and fortunately, there are some quick and easy removal methods that will help you get rid of these marks.
Rust stains can be lifted by applying WD-40 to the stain and leaving it to sit for a while, and then wiping it away. You can also use lemon juice and coarse salt, or a tomato slice and salt. Soap and hot water will work if your tiles are porous.
How do you get rid of rust stains on tiles?
There are plenty of options when it comes to removing rust stains from tiles, and we’ve tried several of these in our home with great results. If you have deep stains, you will find them harder to shift, but surface stains can be lifted away easily. You just need the right cleaning agents!
Using WD-40
WD-40 is good at dealing with surface rust, and it’s a product most households have. If you have ever sprayed it on a squeaky hinge or rusty slider, you’ll already know that it’s great for freeing up moving parts that have got stuck. However, it also works fantastically well for getting rid of rust stains on tiles.
To apply it, you just need to spray a light coating over the rust stain and then leave it for around 10 minutes. Come back and use a cloth to wipe the WD-40 away, and the stain should vanish with it.
If you’ve got a bad stain, you may need to do this a couple of times, and swap to a mildly abrasive cloth to give it a more thorough scrub. This should get rid of the mark and leave your tiles clean and attractive again.
Using lemon juice and salt
Lemon juice works well when it comes to combating rust stains, and it’s something that most people have around their homes. We’ve used this method by cutting a lemon in half and rubbing it back and forth firmly across the stain.
You can also juice the lemon or buy ready-made juice if you prefer. Sprinkle this over the stain, and then leave it for about 10 minutes so that the acid can start reacting with the rust.
Next, sprinkle some rock salt over the lemon juice and use a stiff-bristled toothbrush or a slightly abrasive cloth to rub the stain firmly. Wipe up the salt and lemon juice, and you should find that the rust stain has gone. It may take a couple of attempts, but this is generally effective.
Note that you shouldn’t use anything highly abrasive on your tiles, or you may scratch them and cause worse marks than the original rust ones. Tiles can withstand light abrasion, but you should be letting the lemon juice do most of the work, and not scrubbing too hard.
Using tomato and salt
Tomato works in a similar way to lemon juice, so if this is what you have to hand, use this instead. Rub a slice of tomato over the stain so that plenty of juice comes out, and then sprinkle rock salt on it and leave it for about 10 minutes.
Use a toothbrush or lightly abrasive cloth, as described above, to loosen the rust stain. The salt will help with the abrasion. When you’ve finished, wipe up the tomato juice and check whether the stain has gone.
Using soap and water
If you have porous tiles, you need to avoid acidic products, as they may harm the tiles. Marble and ceramic tiles are more likely to be porous, so be cautious if you are cleaning these.
You should add dish soap to some hot water and apply it to the tiles. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then rub it vigorously with a lightly abrasive cloth. This may not prove as effective as an acidic cleaner, but it shouldn’t damage your tiles.
Does baking soda remove rust?
Baking soda can tackle light rust stains too. You should mix it with a little water to create a paste, and then spread it over the rust stain. Leave it to sit for about an hour, and then use a lightly abrasive cloth to rub it off, and wipe the area clean. We have used this method when we didn’t want to apply an acid to the tiles.
How do you remove old rust stains?
Old rust stains can be more stubborn. If you’ve had a stain on your tiles for a long time, it may not be possible to remove it. Try adding white vinegar to the stain and leave it to sit for 10 minutes or so. Next, apply some coarse salt and use a lightly abrasive cloth to scrub the area.
You should see at least some of the stain lift. You can repeat this method several times and see whether the stain will come off.