Removal of Rust Spots From Ceramic Floors

Cream of Tartar

• Check your pantry for a mild and natural solution to ugly rust spots. Though usually used in baking, cream of tartar is an acidic powder which helps lend softness to baked goods. This mild acidity is not only useful for soft cookies and muffins, but for removing unsightly rust spots on clothing and other surfaces, such as ceramic. Dampen the area with a sponge and sprinkle cream of tartar over the stain. Using a damp cloth or sponge, scrub the stain until it disappears. Rinse away the cream of tartar with water and wipe the floor dry with a soft towel. If cream of tartar alone isn’t doing it, dampen the cloth with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide instead of water before scrubbing the stain.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

• White vinegar is a mild acidic that eats through rust stains without harming your ceramic. Dampen a sponge or cloth with white vinegar and dampen the area before sprinkling baking soda onto it. Baking soda is a very mild abrasive which will help to scrub away the stain without leaving scratches behind. Scrub the area with a clean cloth or sponge. The combination of vinegar and baking soda will fizz which makes it even more helpful as the tiny bubbles help to cut through the stain. Rinse the area with a clean damp cloth.

Lemon and Salt

• Fresh lemon juice is a highly effective tool for fighting rust spots and stains gently. Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the spots to cover them and leave them to soak for 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle table salt onto a damp sponge and scrub the area to lift the rust spot. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive to help eliminate stubborn rust without damaging the tile. Wipe the area clean with a sponge and warm water and repeat if necessary until the stain is gone.

Considerations

• Ceramic is easily scratched so anything abrasive needs to be avoided, such as scouring powders and brushes that don’t have soft bristles. Avoid using chlorine bleach and any product that may contain chlorine bleach to tackle rust stains. Chlorine bleach reacts with rust making the stain harder to remove.