rust stains

tomthebomb

I think the stuff you mean was called "salts of sorrel" and we used to buy it from the chemist.

Eenymeeny

Can anyone recommend how to remove small rust stains which have appeared on a cream blind where a chrome rail hangs at the bottom please? Don't know if I can use 'wet' treatments?
Also if you have any advice to clean and seal the rail to prevent it getting worse. (I was thinking of giving it a light sanding and sealing it with clear varnish?) It hangs in a toilet which can get chilly in winter and I reckon that the rust is due to condensation)
Have also thought of replacing it with a piece of dowling?
Thanks for any advice...

Eenymeeny

Can I bump this please?....

booter

Eenymeeny wrote: »

Can anyone recommend how to remove small rust stains which have appeared on a cream blind where a chrome rail hangs at the bottom please? Don't know if I can use 'wet' treatments?

It really depends on how "washable" the blind is! I have vertical blinds that aren't (strictly speaking!) washable, but I have washed them - flat, in the bath, in cold water. And then drip dry. However, I only do this to remove the dust (and at the mo fly spots). Personally, if the rust marks weren't too widespread, I would have a go with any of the methods recommended above - obviously starting with the cheapest first i.e. lemon juice and salt (or ever white vinegar). Rather than soak, I'd dab on with a cotton bud/ball and rinse the same way, then blot dry. If that didn't work, I'd then have a go with soda crystals. Really going to be trial and error I'm afraid . I have used Stain Devils for rust in the past, but it seems to be unavailable now.

Eenymeeny wrote: »

Also if you have any advice to clean and seal the rail to prevent it getting worse. (I was thinking of giving it a light sanding and sealing it with clear varnish?) It hangs in a toilet which can get chilly in winter and I reckon that the rust is due to condensation)
Have also thought of replacing it with a piece of dowling?
Thanks for any advice...

Clear varnish may work. Hammerite may be a bit more durable. Dowling should work fine too - but I'd be giving that a coat of varnish before using:)

Eenymeeny

Thanks Booter, I'll give some of those suggestions a try. They are only little spots at the moment so hopefully it'll work.
I spotted a plastic expanding rail today (the type you use at the top of net curtains) I'm thinking that they might make a suitable replacement instead of wood.
Seems a silly idea though to use chrome on a blind which will possibly be used in a kitchen/bathroom/toilet wish I'd thought before I bought it!

booter

Resurrecting an old thread, as this seems to be the one for rust stains on fabric

The niece's washing machine stopped pumping out and a load of washing was stuck in the machine for a couple of days. Including a (rather expensive) white tee shirt which has rivet decorations on it. These had gone rusty sitting in the machine and had left stains in a number of places.

I managed to locate some Bar Keepers Friend the other day at a local independant discount store. :j This contains oxalic acid as one of the ingredients. I'd read here that this is good for rust stain removal, so with nothing to lose, I sprinkled the BKF on the rust stains (putting kitchen roll under so it didn't "bleed" through to the back) on the still damp tee and left it half an hour. And it's worked :j
Rinsed thoroughly, one expensive tee is now rust stain free And I've got lots of brownie points

Think it helped that it was a "fresh" stain, so if you do have a stain, don't wait/let it dry after washing - treat immediately.