If you have tile flooring in moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, it is not uncommon to find rust stains on the floor. Placing a metal item on moisture-prone areas leaves rust which may disfigure the appearance of your flooring.
This shouldn’t cause you to worry, as there are easy ways on how to remove rust stains from tiles; one way you can do this is by applying lemon, you can also use hydrogen peroxide or combine borax with citric acid, then scrubbing the tile with a brush.
If you are looking for a more natural way to get rid of rust on your tile floor, then you can make use of tomatoes; all these removal methods and a handful of others are discussed in this article to enable you to restore your tiles to pristine condition.
Related: How to remove rust stain from wood floor
How to Remove Rust Stains From Tiles
Table of Contents
Lemon Juice
Lemon is a great cleaner that can be used to remove rust stains from tiles. You can use lemon juice to clean your floor in a couple of different ways.
You can simply apply the juice directly to the rust stains on the tile and leave it to stand for five minutes; keep an eye on it and don’t allow the juice to dry.
When the lemon juice has been sitting for a while, go in with an old toothbrush and scrub the stain. If the rust stains still persist after scrubbing, add some more lemon juice to the area, and sprinkle some salt; allow them to sit for about three hours before scrubbing the solution off with the toothbrush, using warm water.
Another way to use lemon to remove rust stains is by combining it with baking soda, resulting in a paste you can apply to the stain. Allow the paste to sit on the stain for about half an hour and scrub it off with a sponge.
Salt and Vinegar
These cooking ingredients not only make your food taste good but can also be used to remove rust from ceramic tiles.
Combine both items to create a paste which you can then apply on the stain and allow to sit for about three to four hours. When you wash off the paste, the stain should be lifted and your tiles clean.
Related: How to make tile floor shine without wax
Using Borax and Citrus Acid
For tough rust stains, you may need harsh chemicals like borax; before handling this product, you need to wear protective gloves.
Combine some borax with a little lemon or lime juice. Apply the paste on the stained area using a spatula, ensure to spread it out fully before leaving it to dry. Once the paste is fully dried, you can remove it using a sponge and some warm water.
Read: How to clean foor tiles naturally
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a simple remedy for rust stains. It is effective in removing any stain from ceramics, porcelain tubs, sinks, and showers.
Mix up one part of three percent hydrogen peroxide and two parts of cream of tartar to form a paste which you can apply to the affected area using a soft sponge.
Allow the paste to sit for an hour or two before using a stiff-bristle brush to scrub it off. Use running water from a faucet to rinse away the rust and paste residue.
Read: Tips on cleaning floors with hydrogen peroxide
Kerosene
Another unconventional removal method of rust stain is using kerosene. It is effective and quite similar to vinegar, only quicker and more powerful.
To use, apply two tablespoons of kerosene over the rust stain and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Use a cotton cloth to rub the liquid all over the surface.
Allow the kerosene to sit for another 5 minutes, and then use a paper towel or water to clean the area.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes also contain citric acid; just like lemons, this makes tomatoes amazing for removing deposited minerals or stains. It can be used to get rid of rust stains or cylinder marks in the kitchen.
Simply cut up a whole tomato into two halves, sprinkle a pinch of salt on the rust stain, and scrub the areas gently with the tomato halve.
Allow it to sit for around 5-7 minutes before cleaning it with a soft cloth.
Read: How to remove rust stain from concrete
Conclusion
Items you probably already have in your pantry like baking soda, vinegar, salt, and tomatoes can all be used to remove rust stains from tiles.
These disfiguring stains are created when a metal item comes in contact with a wet area of your tile floor; they thankfully can be removed using any of the methods discussed above.