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To remove rust stains on non-porous surfaces, such as around drains and faucets, rub the stain with a sponge dampened in lemon juice or plain white vinegar.
If that doesn’t work, or if the rust stain is on a porous surface such as unsealed concrete, clothing or a vinyl floor, treat it with a 5-percent solution of oxalic acid, which is sold as a powder in both hardware and marine-supply stores. Oxalic acid is poisonous, so store it well away from small children or pets. It’s also a skin and eye irritant, so protect yourself before use by wearing gloves, eye protection and long sleeves.
Oxalic acid works well in removing rust stains, but not very quickly. Apply oxalic acid solution with a sponge or cloth to stains and allow it to work for at least five minutes. Rinse the spot well. A quick spray of an alkaline, all-purpose household cleaner will help neutralize the acid while rinsing.
“Repeat the process if necessary,” says Jeff Bredenberg, editor of Clean It Fast, Clean It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Making Everything You Own Sparkle & Shine.
Rust spots that appear on clothing after washing suggest either a rusting washing machine tub or high iron content in tap water. The days are numbered for a washing machine with a rusted tub. The tub can’t be repaired easily or inexpensively, and it will eventually spring a leak. The only real solution for high iron is water treatment. “A water conditioner or iron filter may be a good investment,” says Don Aslett, author of The Cleaning Encyclopedia: Your A to Z Illustrated Guide to Cleaning Like the Pros.
