How to get out iron stains from clothes

Iron stains are one of the most challenging stains that you can ever face. You can get iron stains on your clothes from anywhere. However, removing them is a very tough task.

This article is going to teach you how to get out the iron stain from clothes. We have the most effective tricks that you can follow to remove iron stains from your clothes.

What do iron stains look like?

Iron stains mostly look rusty and reddish-brown. The appearance of iron stains has a lot to do with the chemical properties of iron.

Whenever iron combines with oxygen and water (present in the air or on the surface) it starts oxidizing. Then it forms a dark red, yellow, orange, or brownish stain.

Why does iron leave stains on clothes?

Iron stains the clothes due to a chemical reaction called oxidization.

Whenever you hang your wet clothes on an iron wire for drying, the iron comes in contact with oxygen and water. This starts a chemical reaction called oxidization. As a result, the iron leaves rusty reddish-brown and orange stains on the clothes.

Sometimes, the iron is already rusty and when you rub it on your clothes, it stains the clothes as well.

Can iron stains be removed from clothes?

Yes, iron stains can be removed from the clothes.

Generally, it is very challenging to remove iron stains from clothes if you don’t take timely action and also use the wrong cleaning methods. You can mess up the iron stain and make it even more difficult to remove.

We will share some very effective tricks that you can follow to remove iron stains from your clothes.

What takes iron stains out of clothes?

You can use different ingredients to remove iron stains from the clothes.

Here’s a list of the most effective items you can use for taking iron stains out of clothes:

White vinegar
Lemon juice
Baking soda
Laundry detergent
Table salt
Cream of tartar

These ingredients are very effective against iron stains. We will teach you how to use them for removing iron stains from your clothes.

How long does it take to get out iron stains from clothes?

If the iron stain is fresh, then you will be able to remove it in a short time with a simple cleaning.

But, if the iron stains have become permanent then it might take you a bit longer to completely remove them from the clothes.

How to clean an iron stain from clothes?

Here are the best methods that you should follow to clean iron stains from clothes:

1. Use lemon juice & salt

Take some table salt and sprinkle it on the iron stains present on your clothes. The stain should be soaked with lemon juice.
Now use a toothbrush and blot the iron stain on your cloth. Then wash the cloth with clean water and let it dry in the air.
Lemon juice & salt will break the strength of iron stain and make it easier to remove.

Some clothes may show a bad reaction to lemon juice. So, make sure to test it on an invisible part of the cloth.

2. Apply distilled white vinegar

White vinegar is extremely effective even against the most stubborn stains. It will help you get rid of the iron stains as well.

Lay your iron-stained cloth on a towel. Now saturate the iron stain by pouring some distilled white vinegar over it.
Use a sponge, toothbrush, or clean cloth to blot the iron stain on the garment. Vinegar will absorb and break the iron stain. Put the cloth under direct sunlight as it will help fade the iron stain.
Next, you need to wash your cloth with a heavy-duty laundry detergent. Let the cloth dry in the air after washing.
If the iron stains persist, repeat this whole process until it disappears.

3. Apply cream of tartar on the stained clothes

Cream of tartar is another effective product that you can use for removing iron stains from clothes.

It has acidic and abrasive properties that allow it to effectively remove the stains.

You need to take 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and some drops of hydrogen peroxide. Mix them properly to create a paste.
Now apply the paste to the iron stains present on your clothes. Leave for 30 minutes and then rinse the stained area with warm water. After that, you can wash the garment with heavy-duty laundry detergent in a washing machine.

You can repeat this process until the iron stains completely disappear.

4. Boil with cream of tartar

Add six teaspoons of cream of tartar to a large pan of water and boil it.
Now soak the affected cloth in this solution and leave it for 1 hour at least.
After that, you can wash the cloth with a laundry detergent in a washing machine.

Note: Hot water may not be safe for some clothes. Please carefully read the garment care instructions before taking any step to avoid any damage.

5. Combine vinegar and salt

Create a paste of salt and vinegar in a bowl. Soak the iron stain with this paste and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Then, you can wash the affected cloth with cold water.

How to remove iron burn stain from clothes?

If you just accidentally burned your clothes with iron, you must be thinking that you’ll never be able to wear these clothes again.

Don’t worry because here are a few very effective tricks you can use to remove iron burn stains from clothes:

1. Apply bleach or heavy-duty laundry detergent

Wash the affected cloth in warm water. This will prepare it for absorbing the detergent.

Now take a heavy-duty laundry detergent and pour it on the iron burn stain. Use a brush or fingers to work the laundry detergent into the iron burn stain.

Wash the affected cloth in a washing machine and dry it in the air outdoors. Repeat the process if the iron burn stains are still present.

If the garment care label of your cloth allows the use of bleach, then you can soak your cloth for 15 minutes in bleach and wash it normally.

2. Try distilled white vinegar

Take a clean white cloth and pour some distilled white vinegar over it.

Now blot the iron burn stains until they are gone. Next, you can rinse the vinegar with clean water and wash your cloth normally.

Put it outdoors and let it naturally dry with the help of air and sunlight.

3. Scrub with emery pad

Take an emery pad and gently scrub the iron burn stain present on the garment. Don’t do it too roughly because it will create a hole in your cloth.

Now submerge the cloth in a safe oxygen bleach solution for the whole night. Then you can wash the cloth as per usual and dry it in sunlight.

Worst case scenario

If your cloth is burnt so severely that the fabric material has melted or there’s a big hole then cleaning it will not help.

You may not be able to wear that burnt cloth again because it is beyond repair.

You can try taking the cloth to a tailor and see if they can help you.

How to remove iron stains from white clothes?

Here’s how you can remove iron stains from white clothes:

1. Clean with bleach

Bleach can be very effective against iron stains on clothes. Take some bleach that is safe for your cloth.

Now create a solution of bleach and soak the cloth inside this solution for 12-24 hours. After that, you can wash the cloth as usual and dry it.

2. Clean with hydrogen peroxide

First, you need to dampen the iron stain lightly. Now pour some hydrogen peroxide into a bowl.

Take a cotton ball and dip it inside hydrogen peroxide & apply it over the iron stain. Leave it for 5 minutes and then rinse the solution with cold water.

Feel free to repeat the process if it is necessary.

How to protect the cloth from iron stains?

Here are some tips to save your clothes from iron stains:

1. Act immediately

Whenever you get an iron stain on your clothes, you need to act immediately and start cleaning the stain as soon as possible.

The earlier you start cleaning the stain, the easier it will be to remove it.

If you will delay it, then the stain will become permanent and harder to remove.

2. Use the correct cleaning techniques

Iron stains are stubborn.

If you are using the wrong cleaning method, you won’t be able to remove them.

You need to follow the right cleaning techniques like the one we have explained in detail above. Read and follow our cleaning methods and save your clothes from iron stains.

If you want to learn how to remove iron stains from toilet, please read our previous guide.