Remove Rust Stains with a Lemon Juice and Salt Paste8/07/14 1:00pm Rust is always a pain to remove, but if you have a little bit of lemon juice and some salt, you can create a paste that pulls it out pretty well. Recently, I had to clear off a rust stain in a tub after an ill-advised bleach session. So, I made a paste by dumping some lemon juice into the tub and then adding enough salt to thicken it a bit. Then, I left it for about four hours. When I returned, I wiped the rust away with a rag. This method should work with everything from tools to clothes to bicycles. If it sounds like too much, try skipping the salt on the first try.By Robert G. Wilkin, P.E. CBI recently completed a project to recoat the stone on a 200-year-old mill building.  The project was designed under the requirements of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, so the recoated stone needed to match its previous appearance.  The stone on this building softens when wet, unlike Portland Cement, the most common type of cement used today. 

The stone had a very old thick lime wash applied many years ago before Portland Cement was available, and had be coated with many things over time. By the time CBI assessed the building the newer coatings were peeling and flaking off of the soft, friable lime wash that remained.  During the project the remaining materials were taken down to the stone and the joints were cleared out and pointed.  The stone was then coated with an elastomeric latex coating that restored the building Several months after completion, for no apparent reason several stones were exhibiting yellow stains through the coating.  The building manager applied a small amount of rust stain remover, the type used to remove rust stains on porcelain tubs, and the stains disappeared.  It turns out that these stones contained iron and the iron bled through the coating.  A stain killer was applied and the stones were recoated to stop the stain recurrence. An interesting point in this vein has to do with my washing machine. 

Rust formed on poorly coated edges around the top-loading door opening.  Because of the rust, yellow stains were appearing on white clothes.  I tried the rust stain remover on the shirts, carefully, since I wasn’t sure what it would do to the fabric.   It worked great, taking out the stains with no damage at all on the fabric.  I coated the edges around the door with silicone sealant and that seems to have stopped the rusting, at least for now. It is always interesting to tie what we learn in the field with what we learn in our lives outside of work, and vice versa.Attempting to keep porcelain surfaces clean can be frustrating, and misguided cleaning efforts often do more harm than good.One of the most common mistakes made in attempting to clean porcelain is the use of cleaners containing harsh abrasives. Abrasives remove dirt and stains well, but in time will dull the surface by making tiny scratches.For general cleaning of porcelain, it's best to stick to non-abrasive liquid cleaners or at least cleaners with mild abrasives that won't scratch.

Various liquid cleaners suitable for tubs and sinks are sold at most home centers and supermarkets. Liquid dishwashing detergent can also be used, and a mild solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate, sold at paint stores) also works well. 57 Inch Bathtub SalesIf TSP is used, mix about two tablespoons of the powder to a gallon of water.Hairless Cat For Sale TexasHere are some treatments for common porcelain stains:-- To remove soap scum stains, apply paste made from cream of tartar and fresh hydrogen peroxide to a sponge or soft cloth, scrub and rinse. Baby Bobcat For Sale-- Hard-water deposits often develop around the drain openings of tubs and sinks or in places where water drips from faucets onto the porcelain surface.In some cases, hard-water deposits dull the tub or sink up to the usual water line.

If the stains cover a large area, scrub with vinegar on a sponge or soft cloth. If the stains are heavy and concentrated in a small area, make a poultice of tissues soaked with vinegar and place over the stains for several hours, then rinse.Repeat the poultice treatment if any stain remains.-- A vinegar poultice or a poultice coated with cream of tartar-hydrogen peroxide paste will sometimes remove rust stains.Some experts recommend a heavy-duty cleaner called Zud, sold at some home centers and supermarkets, for removing rust.Special rust-stain cleaners such as Tub'n Sink Jelly are also available, but directions and cautions must be followed carefully since some special cleaners contain caustic chemicals.Stain Removal Tips for Cast Iron Bath Tubs Cast-iron bath tubs are made from a porcelain enamel surface being fused to cast iron under high heat and are an excellent addition to any finished bathroom. They are commonly chosen items during a remodeling process or for houses being built from the ground up.

Molten liquid is poured into a mold, giving cast iron tubs their unique shape once the liquid hardens. These beautiful tubs also hold heat longer. Like any tub, they can develop rust stains as well as grease/dirt/soap scum buildup but are easy to clean if maintained. Removing Soap Scum, Dirt And Grease Baking soda is a popular safe and natural method for cleaning the bathroom. Dilate baking soda with some warm water to make a pasty solution excellent for removing dirt, grease and soap scum from cast-iron bathtubs. One tablespoon of trisodium phosphate (TSP) substitute mixed with a gallon of hot water also will remove soap scum, dirt and grease, although this solution should not be used in combination with other cleaners. Avoid using scouring pads to remove dirt and soap scum, as such pads can cause tiny scratches on the tub's surface. These scratches subsequently can catch grease, dirt, hard-water deposits and soap residue. Cream-based cleansers also can cause additional buildup.

Switch to a liquid, soap-free cleanser that does not contain soap to keep soap scum at bay. Soaps can leave residue that forms a type of scum. Iron stain remover works well on rust. Abrasive cleaning powders are effective on rust stains, but take care when using such powders not to scratch the surface of your tub. Use the finest powder you can find and add water if using this method to avoid scratches. Pumice stones are rough, porous stones excellent for removing tough rust stains and other marks on your tub. Add some water to the stain and rub the stone over it, taking care to rub gently as to not scratch the surface. Be sure not to drop rust particles down the drain when cleaning because this can clog your tub. Keep the pumice stone wet and rinse it periodically so rust will not clog the stone. Once rust is removed, use lemons and salt on the stain. Pour salt over the entire stain. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice on the salted stain and allow to sit for at least 24 hours.

The rust will transfer to the salt and can then be washed down the drain without clogging it. Towel dry your tub after every use to avoid rust stains. A very bad rust stain Chlorine or hydrogen peroxide bleach is an effective remover of particularly tough stains, though bleach will not work on rust stains. If using either of these to deal with stains, always dilute with water and rinse the solution off the stain after about two minutes. Acetic and muriatic acids can be used to remove some stains; however, acids will slowly wear down the porcelain enamel. Always rinse thoroughly with water if using acid or any chemical to clean your tub. Wear gloves when using chemicals to clean tub and wear rubber gloves if dealing with acid. Always wear gloves when dealing with chemical cleaners. Home Tips: How To Clean A Porcelain Enamel Bathtub Simply Bathtubs: Cast Iron Bathtub Ask Deb: Remove Rust Stains From A Bathtub If you have a cast-iron tub, chances are it is somewhat "long in the tooth," and like most older things, probably showing...