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The Household Staple That Fights Rust Stains On Laundry
By EZEKIEL MAINA
While a rust stain may seem like a permanent death sentence for your clothes, one simple ingredient can help remove the troublesome blemish — hydrogen peroxide.
The extra oxygen in hydrogen peroxide forms OH radicals that break the bonds of color-causing compounds at the molecular level, making the rust easy to remove from the fabric.
In addition to the peroxide, you also need baking soda, cream of tartar, a butter knife, a mixing bowl, a soft-bristled toothbrush, a clean white cloth or paper towel, and water.
Scrape off any rust particles on the fabric with the knife. Then, mix ¼ teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide, a teaspoon of baking soda, and a teaspoon of cream of tartar in the bowl.
Apply the mix to the stain with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently scrub in a circular motion. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then clean the area with cold water and air dry.
Unfortunately, the mix doesn’t work well on all materials. The hydrogen peroxide can also irritate the skin and eyes, so you should use protective barriers like gloves.