Best Guide: How to Remove Rust From Sink and Bathtub (Updated 2022)

When it comes to things that occur in unusual locations, such as porcelain and stainless steel sinks, rust is one of them.

These rusty patches on sinks are frequently created by other things left in a damp sink, such as food containers which produce their trademark ring of rust to form around the sink. Rust spots may occur when there is a high concentration of iron in the faucet.

So, how to remove rust from sink ?

In several circumstances, common household items like as lemon juice, vinegar, salt, or baking soda may be used to remove the rust from the sink surface.

Rust is most likely responsible for the unattractive brown areas on your bathtub and sinks, and it may be produced by a variety of different factors.

Rust is often the outcome of water being transported via old, rusted galvanized pipes. When you have hard water, rust might occur as a result of the iron and salts that have been deposited behind on the water surface. Luckily, removal of these stains is a quite simple process.

Let’s see how to clean rust in our detailed guide.

Also read:

How to Cut Countertop for Sink

How to remove scratches from stainless steel sink

Reasons for Rust Stains

Corrosion occurs when iron and oxygen combine with water to produce iron oxide on exposed metal surfaces. Rust stains could be difficult to remove and, if left untreated, may become persistent in time.

The following are some of the potential causes of rusty stains:

System of Water Supply and Drainage

• Rust particles might be found in your water supply as a result of a rusted or corroded water heater, faucets, or pipelines.
• The fact that your house has been damaged as well as the fact that you have a health issue means that you must have a professional, certified plumber come out as soon as possible.
• If the problem is caused by rusted pipes or a malfunctioning water heater, these will have to be changed.

Hard Water

• In certain cases, if the water entering your house has a large level iron concentration, the water may seem and smell fine; yet, rust stains may occur in locations in which there is often stagnant water, such as those in the sink. 
• Having your water analyzed or contacting a professional, certified plumber are two options you might consider.
• If an excessive amount of iron deposits is the origin of the issue, a water softener or filter should be installed.

How to Remove Rust From Sink

Rust stains may be difficult to remove, depending on the kind of substance your surface is built of and how long the staining has been there.

The tint may have been affixed into the porcelain sink in situations of severe staining, causing it hard to remove.

Perform a spot test in an isolated region of the sink, tub, or toilet before using any of the treatments indicated below to avoid harm. 

Let’s see the rust stain removal methods below:

1. Vinegar

• Acetic acid, which is included in distilled white vinegar, is efficient in the removal of rust stains.
• It may be applied on a weekly basis, much as citric acid, to help prevent rust marks from becoming solid.  
• If you have a stubborn rust stains, you should use washing vinegar with a greater acidity than normal white vinegar. you cam buy them in any  grocery stores.
• Sprinkle the vinegar on the rust spot on a weekly basis to keep sinks, tubs, and shower walls spotless and rust-free.
• After cleaning the area with a scrub brush, be sure to completely rinse it.
• Adding one to 2 glasses of vinegar to the toilet seat and scrubbing with a toilet brush once a week is sufficient for washing rusted toilet bowls.
• If the stains are deep, drain the water from the toilet and slowly add concentrated vinegar into the bowl, and  allow it to rest for overnight.
• After that, brush well before rinsing with clean water.

2. Lemon

• Citric acid may be obtained from organic lemons, citrus fruits, or even powdery citric acid, which is easily obtainable in grocery and pharmacy shops and online.
• In the case of fresh citrus fruits, dunk the sliced piece in salt or baking soda before washing the rust-stained region to ensure a mild abrasive is applied.
• Regarding badly stained areas, make a mixture of lime juice and baking soda and apply it directly to the rusty spot using a sponge.
• Seal the mixture with plastic wrap to make it wet, and allow it to rest for an hour to aid in the breakup of the rusty particles in the water supply.
• When used with citric acid powder, mix a few droplets of water into a powder and apply it immediately to the discolored area.
• Make use of a scrubbing brush or an used brush, along with some elbow grease, to remove the tough stains.

3. Pumice stone

• Pumice Stones are used for a variety of purposes.
• When it comes to eliminating rust spot from porcelain, a pumice stone may be used, however it is not suggested when it comes to fiberglass.
• Just moisten the stone and massage it with some elbow grease to remove the stain completely and efficiently.
• Keeping to work will result in the creation of a paste from the wet stone, which will assist in the removal process by raising and clearing the stubborn stain.
• As soon as you have done washing, rinse the surface well with fresh water.

4. Tartar

• A cream of tartar in your cupboard,  is an excellent rust remover.
• Cream of tartar  is a dusted form of tartaric acid that is often used to preserve fluffy egg whites and function as a flavor enhancer in baked products. 
• Before you clean your sinks and tubs with a moistened nylon bristles brush, sprinkle some tartar on the rust-stained spots.
• Prepare a mixture out of a few droplets of water and use it to remove stains from shower walls or toilet bowl as needed.
• Wait for the time to react, just like you would with some other acids, and maintain the paste wet by wrapping the surface with plastic wrap while it does its job.

5. Shaw Pads

• Shaw’s Pads are an excellent, affordable, and ecologically responsible solution to remove stains off porcelain and ceramic materials. 
• These are the tools that plumbers rely by since they perform properly and do not leave marks.
• If you can’t find what you’re looking for at your local hardware shop, you may simply purchase what you need on the internet.

6. Commercial Rust Removers

• This one is certainly self-explanatory, and if you’ve ever spent enough time in the cleaners area of your local grocery store, you’re undoubtedly aware that there are a variety of solutions available on the market that promise to remove stains on impact.
• Actually, it’s correct: rust removers are typically effective in removing rust stains since they oxidize the rust ring quickly, requiring no scrubbing.
• Simply rinsing it away will leave your sink or tub looking shining clean again.
• Most people, on the other hand, are cautious to use commercial rust removers since they include strong and harsh chemical that emit awful smells and may cause you to get dizzy or faint.
• Using these items incorrectly might potentially result in skin burns if they are not handled appropriately.
• Aside from that, many individuals are seeking a more environmentally friendly approach to wash their sinks and bathtubs.
• If that’s the case, you’ll want to attempt a different approach.

Video Guide: How to Remove Rust From Sink

How to Remove rust around kitchen or bathroom Sink Drain

The look of a rusted kitchen sink drain is unattractive, no matter how perfect the body of the sink seems to be.

The presence of a high iron concentration in the water causes rust to grow up in the region immediately surrounding the drain in many circumstances.

• If this section seems to be rusted but the drain flange itself appears to be in excellent condition, seal the drain and spray enough white vinegar above it, to completely level or cover the rusted area.
• Allow it to rest for half an hour, then add baking soda on top of the vinegar.
• Certain ores, such as calcium, are eaten away by vinegar, while the combination between vinegar and baking soda produces a froth that may lift a few of these deposits out.
• To clean the drainage, open it and run water through it.
• After that, scrub the drain region with a nylon wash brush.
• If somehow the surface is still rusty, use a mixture of lemon juice and salt or baking soda to clean it.
• Both salt and baking soda have a moderate abrasive effect on them.

Also read: How to Clean Sink Drain

How to Clean Porcelain Sink

How to Prevent Rust Stains On Sink and Bathtub

• Air fresheners and hair spray units with metal rings on the bottom can rapidly rust and discolor bathroom surfaces as a result of the wetness in the area. These products should be kept in a cupboard distant from the bathtub and the sink.
• Bathroom rust is often caused by hard water that is high in iron, particularly well water. It is possible to avoid recurring stains by installing a filter or water softening system in your home.
• After every usage, wipe off the bathtub and sink to eliminate any iron debris that may have accumulated in the droplets of water.
• Examine the inside of the toilet tank.
• Occasionally, damaged and rusted metal parts in the tank of older toilets may be found in use. Substitute these things with PVC parts that are not corrosive.
• Plumbing fixtures should be repaired as soon as possible. Even a slight leak from a faucet may create rust stains to accumulate fast on the surface of the water.

How to Remove Rust from Stainless Steel Sink

Read how to remove rust stains from stainless steel sinks in the next section. If you’re using abrasive products, make sure they are non-scratching, low abrasive, and non-flammable.

Examples are Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish 

• Switch on the lukewarm water faucet and saturate the whole surface area of your stainless steel sink to prevent rust.
• Use a non-abrasive soft cloth to apply Bar Keepers Friend cleaners.
• Prevent scratching by rubbing the cleaner along the path of the metal’s grain.
• It is not recommended to leave cleaner on the sink‘s bottom for more than one minute.
• If the rust mark is not entirely gone, wash and repeat the process as required, you can apply elbow grease when needed.
• Warm water should be used to fully rinse the cleaner out of the stainless steel sink.
• Make use of a microfiber or paper towel to dry the sink and to prevent water from staining in the sink.

Related Questions

How to remove rust from porcelain sink ?

A normal pumice stone is also an effective method for removing rust, particularly off porcelain sink, because it will not scratch or harm the surface being cleaned. It is essential to moisten the stone, dampen the rusted surface, and then brush the stone softly above the rusted surface in order to remove it.

How to get rust off bathroom sink ?

You can use distilled white vinegar to remove the rust off the bathroom sink. For tough and stubborn rust stains, use high acidity vinegar.

How to remove rust stains from enamel sink ?

Prepare a mixture of 3:1 ratio of baking soda and vinegar, use it to remove harder rust stains. Put it to the rusted surface with a scrubbing sponge and allow it to rest for an hour to work its magic.

Even while the corrosion should be removed once you wash it off, it is possible that you will need to continue the procedure for more extreme stains.

How to remove rust from sink faucet ?

Wrap Up

That’s a great question and we love to answer it! You can remove rust from a sink in a number of ways, but if none of them work for you, then the best way is to employ the professional plumbing services.

There are a lot of different products on the market that will do the trick, but a professional’s knowledge and experience can really make a difference.