Home Remedies to Remove Rust Stains From Vinyl
- Vinegar is a strong astringent that works well removing rust from products. Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spray some on a hidden section of vinyl, making sure the vinyl holds its colorfastness. If the vinyl holds its color, spray the affected area and allow it to soak in for several minutes. Scrub the area lightly. Rinse the area with cool water and repeat as often as it takes to remove the rust.
- Oxalic acid is available in powder form at most home improvement stores. Make sure that it contains at least 5 percent oxalic acid. Use a face mask, eye protection and rubber gloves, as this is a toxic chemical. After you have tested the color fastness of the vinyl, sprinkle the oxalic acid over the stain. Allow it to sit for an hour to loosen up the rust deposits. Take a cloth and scrub at the stain. Rinse very well with cool water.
- Commercial cleaning products are available at most supermarkets. Apply the product to the stain after testing its colorfastness and allow it to sit for half an hour. Use a cloth to scrub the product into the stain. After it sets into the stain, rinse it very well with cool water to remove the rest of the rust. You may need to repeat this several times..
- It is likely that you will have to repeat these processes more than once if the rust stain has had a long time to set in or covers a large area. When using harsh chemicals of any kind, make sure you take all the necessary safety precautions. If any toxic substances are ingested or inhaled, contact your local poison control center immediately.
