Let’s say you just got your kitchen renovated to look all glitzy and glorious. The walls are painted fresh, the tiles are fixed perfectly in place and your new kitchenware is showing off all it has.
Your kitchen is all set to impress for a long while except for one little flaw; those stubborn rust stains on your porcelain sink. Now you must be questioning “Can Rust Be Removed From Porcelain?”.
There are multiple reasons why rust stains are formed. Either you left metal items such as razors and scissors uncovered for a while on the sink which leave rusts behind or your water pipes have gotten old and rusty.
Regardless, there are multiple ways you can get rid of rust stains. There are several rust removal products as well which can get the job done however they do cause some other damage in the process. Or you can use one of the methods we will be taking you through in this blog post today.、
We also introduced in detail in our previous article will glazed tiles scratch? how to deal with it? If it is helpful to you, please click here to read it.
Understanding Rust Stains on Porcelain
What Causes Rust Stains on Porcelain?
Rust stains on porcelain tiles can be caused by multiple factors. One of the most common factors can be the presence of iron in the water that you use. When you use water that contains iron around your porcelain tiles, it ends up forming rust stains on the tiles. Other major factors contributing to the rust stains on porcelain might be:
- Using old rusty pipes that causes your water supply to contain rust particles.
- Using certain cleaning products containing harsh chemicals.
- Usage of hard water around your porcelain tiles.
- Leaving metal objects on the surface of your porcelain tiles for a long time.
Why Are Rust Stains Difficult to Remove from Porcelain?
Rust stains on porcelain tiles can be hard to get rid of as they are usually buried deep into the surface of your tiles. Moreover, some cleaning products can make it just harder to deal with the stains by reacting with the iron in the rust and causing it to go even deeper into your porcelain tiles.
Also, porcelain tiles are delicate, so, if you use harsh cleaning tools or chemicals on your surface, they can make it even prone to rust stains in the future.
To get rid of these rust stains effectively from your porcelain tiles, it is essential to use the right cleaning tools, products, and techniques.
How to Remove Rust Stains from Porcelain?
Porcelain tiles are cost-effective as compared to other tiles, but in the same way, they are more prone to rust stains. The good news is that porcelain tiles are strong, and so, acidic products won’t cause any damage to them. Therefore, you can choose from the following rust removal methods to get rid of the stains. Here are the three most common methods you can opt for.
Using Commercial Rust Removers
You can find a lot of commercial rust removers in the market that can help you get rid of the rust stains from porcelain. These removers are strong and work efficiently, but they can also contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to the home environment.
So, always make sure to follow all the required instructions carefully and wear gloves and goggles when using a commercial rust remover.
Using Natural Remedies
If you’d like to use some natural remedies, many options can help remove the rust stains from porcelain tiles. One of the most common natural remedies is raw lemon juice. Just cut a lemon in half and rub it over the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse with water.
Another natural remedy that you can use is vinegar. Just mix equal parts of vinegar with water and apply the mixture to the stain. Let it stain for a few minutes and then rinse the tile with water.
Using DIY Solutions
Rust stains on porcelain tiles, especially on rustic porcelain tile, can be difficult to get rid of. Fortunately, multiple DIY solutions can provide guaranteed help in efficiently removing the rust stains without damaging the porcelain tiles. These solutions are mostly made from household items like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice, making them cost-effective and accessible for most people.
1- Baking Soda and Water
Start by mixing baking soda with water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the rust stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Now scrub the rusty area with a soft-bristled brush until the stain goes away. Rinse the area with water and repeat the process until you get rid of the stain completely.
2- White Vinegar
For this DIY, you first need to soak a sponge or cloth in white vinegar. Then apply it to the stain and let it sit for several minutes. Now scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush and rinse the area. If the stain is gone, good job, if not, keep repeating the process until the rust stain is gone completely.
3- Lemon Juice and Salt
Take lemon juice and salt to form a paste and apply it to the rust stain. Keep it on for a few minutes and then scrub the area with a soft brush. Rinse the rusty area with water and if the stain is still there, just repeat the procedure until you get rid of it completely.
4- Hydrogen Peroxide
Soak a sponge or cloth in hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the rusty area. Let it sit for a while and then scrub the area with a soft brush. Rinse the area with water and keep repeating the process until you get rid of the stain completely.
Preventing Rust Stains on Porcelain
If you have installed porcelain tiles in your home, you may notice rust stains on them as time goes by. These stains are difficult to get rid of if they set in. But, with some simple ways of prevention, you can save your porcelain tiles from getting these stains.
1- Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
One of the most common and easy ways to prevent rust stains on your porcelain tiles is to keep them well-maintained and clean them regularly. Just use a gentle tile cleaner on them to get rid of any dirt, grime, or minerals that can cause the tiles to get rust stains.
Additionally, it’s essential to keep a check on your tiles and see if there are any signs of damage or wear to your porcelain tiles. Cracks in the porcelain tiles can also let moisture get in, which will eventually lead to rust stains forming on them.
Click to read our article: How Do I Maintain My Tile
2- Avoiding Certain Materials and Chemicals
Another great method to prevent rust stains on your porcelain tiles is to keep certain chemicals/materials away from your tiles that will eventually cause rust staining. These materials can include metal pads or tile cleaners with harsh chemicals that will scratch the surface of your tiles, making them more prone to rust stains.
Additionally, certain chemicals have the ability to react with the minerals present in your water supply. This will result in the formation of rust stains on your porcelain tiles. If you have a water supply of hard water, you should consider using a water softener to lessen the amount of minerals present in your water supply.
By considering these simple ways to prevent rust, you can make sure your porcelain tiles look clean and bright all the time, without having to worry about any rust stains.
Top Takeaways
If your porcelain tiles are rusty, you must be curious to know how to get rid of them and if it is even possible to get your tiles back in their original condition. Here are some top takeaways from this article that you should keep in mind.
- Rust stains on porcelain tiles are removable if you use the right ways and tools.
- It’s essential to know what caused the rust stain before you try to clean it.
- Harsh cleaners and chemicals are harmful for the porcelain tiles, so it’s recommended to use gentle cleaning tools and methods.
- Natural cleaners, such as lemon or vinegar, can be effective in getting rid of the rust stains from porcelain tiles.
- Prevention is the key. Cleaning and maintaining your tiles regularly is the best preventative method. This can help you avoid the formation of rust stains on your tiles.
By following these main pointers, you can efficiently remove rust stains from your porcelain surfaces and make sure they look clean and well maintained.
Conclusion
As you read, removing rust stains is not easy at all. It requires a lot of effort and using the wrong products can damage your tile surface. But at least you now know the answer to “Can Rust Be Removed From Porcelain?” What’s even worse is that rust removers contain harsh chemicals that shouldn’t be used on surfaces like porcelain.
To avoid scenarios like etching, make sure to know the vulnerabilities of porcelain before you buy a rust removing cleaner for your tiles. It’ll be even better if you just use the DIY techniques from this article to get rid of the stains. Also, visit George Ceramics to purchase tiles according to your liking.
If you also want to know how to clean our tiles, then you are welcome to read this article: Will dirty floor tiles affect the appearance: cleaning guidance