Cleaning Rust from Porcelain Tiles

Written By
Leigh Kelley
Leigh Kelley
Published: Mar 26, 2009
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Clean the Rust Naturally

If the rust stain is old, you may have to let it soak overnight. Wipe it up with a paper towel. Finally, clean the tile with a wet towel. If the rust stain remains, repeat the process once the tile is dry.

Homemade Cleaner

To remove the rust stain, you can mix three tablespoons of vinegar, ¼ cup bleach and one teaspoon of dish detergent into six cups of water. Sponge this mixture onto the tile. Place the wet sponge directly onto the tile and leave it there for fifteen minutes. When this time is up, remove the sponge, wipe the tile and allow it to dry. If the stain isn’t gone, it should be lighter. If this is the case, repeat the process.

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Barkeeper’s Friend

Barkeeper’s Friend is the only scouring powder that is mild enough to be used on porcelain without damaging it. To use this, dampen the tile with water then pour the powder onto the stain. Gently rub it in. Once you do this, let it soak for 30 minutes. Make sure to time it, as it can start to damage the tile if left on any longer. Once the time is up, wipe it up with a clean towel and rinse the tile.

Pumice Stone

This method should be a last resort, as it may scuff the surface of the tile. You should make sure that you use the finest pumice stone available. Course stones may cause deep scratches. To remove the rust, wet the tile and gently rub the stain with the stone. Make sure that the tile stays wet throughout the process.

Leigh Kelley

Leigh Kelley is a freelance writer who provides SEO Web copy to industry leading companies. Her work has appeared in publications such as "Bullys Magazine" and "Jonesboro Sun." Kelley earned a bachelor's degree in English from Arkansas…

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