Ways to Remove Rust Stains Without Chemical Cleaners in the Greater Sacramento area

Rust stains can be unsightly and, unfortunately, quite difficult to eliminate. When they attack your bathroom sinks and showers, it’s crucial to act fast. If you ignore and allow them to build up, you will likely have a hard time eliminating them. Fortunately, there is something you can do to remove them and prevent them. During weekly cleaning, you need to pay special attention to areas prone to rust. You also want to avoid harsh chemicals that can harm the sink, tub, or shower material. At Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, we always recommend getting a plumber to inspect faucet leaks and other forms of leakage that could cause rust in your bathroom.

What Causes Rust Stains in the Sink or Shower?

Rust forms when iron and oxygen combine and react with moisture to form iron oxide. In most cases, rust in the bathroom occurs when a metal can placed on the sink, tub or toilet comes into contact with water. That’s why you should never leave your shaving cream or air freshener cans in your bathroom tub. Many homeowners in Sacramento use hard water, which further worsens the situation. The combination of iron bacteria and the mineral found in hard water causes rust particles to cling to the porcelain or enamel surfaces of bathroom fixtures. In this case, the rust won’t go away as long as you’re using hard water.

Ways To Remove Rust Stains Without Chemical Cleaners

Here are a few ways to remove rust stains without using chemical cleaners.

Citric Acid

You can get citric acid from lemon, lime, grapefruits, or oranges. You can even purchase powdered citric acid at the drug or grocery store. If you’re using the powder, simply pour directly on the rust or create a mixture using water, baking soda, and citric powder. Apply the mixture to the stain, let it sit for 20 minutes, and then rinse.

Vinegar Baking Soda

White vinegar is an excellent stain remover that you can use to remove rust in your sinks and tubs. To remove the rust, mix the baking soda and vinegar in a small container and pour the mixture directly into your tub or sink. This mixture can also help clean your drains. So, if you’re removing rust on a sink, you will be cleaning both the sink and the drain at the same time. Just be sure to rinse thoroughly to prevent baking soda residue from damaging the drain components.

Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar is an excellent rust remover used to stabilize whipped egg whites and act as a leavening agent when baking. You can sprinkle the product on the rust-stained areas and scrub gently using a bristled brush. Make a paste with a few drops of water before applying for the best results.

Pumice

Another natural scratch-free option you can use to remove rust from your bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers is a pumice stone. It is best used on porcelain surfaces. Simply wet it and gently scrub the stains away. If you’re working with fiberglass material, don’t use pumice, as it will scratch the surface.

Keep Rust Stains Away With Ace Plumbing Heating and Air conditioning

Rust stains are an eyesore on your beautiful, well-furnished, and nicely decorated bathroom. Don’t let them escalate, as they can cause problems with your plumbing system. To help you deal with hard water in greater Sacramento and keep your plumbing system in optimal condition contact Ace Plumbing today!