The other day I discovered the new foam soap my kids are obsessed with was leaving rust stains on my white bath tub.
I immediately grabbed our CLR, and, much to my chagrin, that stain didn’t budge. Why would a cleaner with rust in its name not remove rust? Ugh.
A quick google search gave me lots of different suggestions. I tried them all until I found one that worked.
Here’s what I found out about cleaning rust:
Dawn dish soap and white vinegar:
You can either pour the Dawn on the stain (it has to be Dawn), then the vinegar on top and mix them into a paste, or mix the two together in a spray bottle (if your stains are on a vertical surface). I made the paste, then used a brush and scouring pad the scrub the stain.
Verdict: Works reasonably well. Most of the stain faded considerably, but it was still noticeable.
Hydrogen peroxide:
Pour or spray on the stain and allow to soak, scrub and then rinse.
Verdict: Didn’t put a dent in my stain.
Clorox2 bleach:
Pour or spray on the stain and allow to soak, scrub then rinse.
Verdict: Nothin’.
“The Works” toilet bowl cleaner:
Pour on the stain and then scrub with a scouring pad. Use in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves.
Verdict: Wow. The best $2.99 I’ve ever spent. The stain is completely gone, and it took very little elbow grease. I’ve already put this stuff to work on other stubborn spots and stains and it works like a charm. Be careful though…this stuff stinks!
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As an experienced cleaning enthusiast with a keen eye for effective solutions, let's delve into the article's insights on rust removal from a white bathtub. The author, presumably a parent facing a common household challenge, shares their journey of dealing with rust stains caused by a foam soap popular among their kids. Despite resorting to CLR initially, they discovered its inefficacy against the stubborn rust stains.
Now, let's assess the alternative methods the author explored, drawing on my extensive knowledge of cleaning techniques and products:
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Dawn Dish Soap and White Vinegar:
- Application: Pour Dawn dish soap on the stain, add white vinegar, and create a paste. Alternatively, mix both in a spray bottle for vertical surfaces.
- Tools: Brush and scouring pad for scrubbing.
- Verdict: Effective to some extent; the stain faded considerably but remained noticeable.
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Hydrogen Peroxide:
- Application: Pour or spray hydrogen peroxide on the stain, allow it to soak, scrub, and rinse.
- Verdict: Ineffective; did not remove the stain.
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Clorox2 Bleach:
- Application: Pour or spray Clorox2 bleach on the stain, allow it to soak, scrub, and rinse.
- Verdict: Ineffective; no impact on the stain.
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"The Works" Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
- Application: Pour on the stain and scrub with a scouring pad. Use in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves.
- Verdict: Highly effective; the stain completely disappeared with minimal effort. The author expresses satisfaction, noting it as the best $2.99 spent.
The article concludes with a caution about the strong odor of "The Works" toilet bowl cleaner and recommends using it in a well-ventilated space while wearing gloves. The author also mentions having successfully used the cleaner on other stubborn spots and stains.
In summary, the article provides a firsthand account of dealing with rust stains in a white bathtub and evaluates various cleaning methods. Through the author's trial and error, it is evident that not all cleaners labeled for rust removal are equally effective, and sometimes unconventional solutions, such as "The Works" toilet bowl cleaner, can yield impressive results.
