How to Remove Rust Stains From Carpet

Carpet flooring should be comfortable, plush, and maintain a pristine appearance. When the unthinkable happens, and you notice a rust stain tarnishing the appearance of your carpet, you need a solution. Thankfully, you can remove rust stains from your carpet without resorting to calling the professionals for help.

How to Remove Rust Stains From Carpet

Take out rust stains from your carpet in a jiffy using the following steps.

  • Scrape away at the carpet to try and remove as much rust as you can from the carpet fibers without digging into the flooring.
  • Use a vacuum to pick up rust or blot the affected area with a paper towel or clean white rag.
  • Apply your choice of cleaning solution to the rust stain and let it sit for a minimum of 15 minutes.
  • Agitate the stain, brushing the fibers with an old toothbrush, a sponge, or a dampened cloth to lift the rust out of the carpet fibers.
  • Rinse the stained area with warm water and blot with a rag or paper towels. Follow up with paper towels or a rag to blot the area.
  • Vacuum the stained area and observe if there is any residue left. Repeat the process of applying a cleaning solution, agitating the fibers, rinsing, and blotting until the rust is gone.
  • Allow your carpet to dry, give it a final rinse, blot as needed, and let the carpet dry before you vacuum the flooring to reset the fibers.

Applying a host of cleaning solutions, using some elbow-grease, and patience can restore your carpet to its original, beautiful state pre-rust stain. Rust stains can occur because of toys, leaks, or furniture, so it is useful to know how to remove stains from carpet. Keep reading to find out more!

Rust Doesn't Stand a Chance with This Solution

Once you assess the degree of seriousness a rust stain has on your carpet, you can better understand how to tackle removing it from your flooring. You may have to go through the steps needed to remove a rust stain more than once, by reapplying a cleaning solution, repeatedly rinsing the stained carpet, and using multiple tools to clean your flooring. Give yourself enough time and patience to get your carpet back to its original state.

You will want to arm yourself with the following tools to successfully remove rust from your carpet.

  • A spoon or spatula
  • Paper towels or a clean, white towel
  • Vinegar
  • A vacuum cleaner
  • Club soda, liquid detergent, and hydrogen peroxide
  • A rust remover

Take a look at your rust stain and try to remove as much of the damage from the carpet as you can, using a vacuum cleaner or a spoon. Blot the area with a towel, and then apply a solution of 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water to the affected area. Let the solution sit for at least 15 minutes. Take a sponge, old toothbrush, or a bristle brush to scrub the carpet fibers gently. Blot the area and wait 5 minutes.

Apply a solution of 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent to 2 cups of warm water. Let the solution sit for 5 to 15 minutes and agitate the stained area with your choice of too. Rinse the area clean with lukewarm water and blot the surface with a towel. Saturate the stained carpet with some club soda, let the carbonated beverage sit for at least 5 to 15 minutes, then blot the area.

If you choose hydrogen peroxide to clean up the rust stain, make sure to do a test patch to ensure that it will not bleach or damage your carpet fibers. Apply one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide mixed with three tablespoons of warm water and apply it to the rust stain. Let the solution sit for a minimum of 30 minutes before blotting or vacuuming the area. Rinse the carpet with warm water and blot.

When you are dealing with a heavy-duty or deep-set stain, feel free to use a commercial carpet cleaner to help lift the rust stain out of the carpet fibers. Remember to always use warm water for rinsing the carpet fibers, never hot water. Be patient and brush the fibers in the same direction in a gentle manner, to not help push the stain into the fibers.

Repeatedly agitating the stain, applying cleaning solutions, rinsing, and being patient will eventually restore the carpet to its original look and feel. Vacuum the carpet to reset the fibers after you allow the flooring to dry in full and have removed all cleaning solutions.

Hydrogen Peroxide by Solimo

Check out this trusted hydrogen peroxide on Amazon.

Dishwashing Liquid by Dawn

Check out this powerful liquid detergent on Amazon.

Spot and Stain Carpet Cleaner by Resolve

Check out this robust stain removal cleaner on Amazon.

Can You Use CLR on Carpet?

Yes, you can use CLR to clean stains on the carpet. It is prudent for you to do a test patch on your carpet to make sure the CLR will not damage to color or look of your carpet's fibers. When applying CLR to a stain on the carpet, allow the CLR to thoroughly saturate the affected area and sit for a minimum of 10 minutes before blotting the area. Apply the solution as needed to the stain and blot until the stain is removed from the fibers.

CLR PRO by CLR

What is the Best Rust Stain Remover?

The best rust stain remover for carpet is a combination of lemon juice, white vinegar, and warm water applied to the fibers. If you allow the mixture to sit overnight, the solution can better break up the set-in rust stains. Make sure to blot the area and rinse as needed with warm water.

Does WD-40 Remove Rust?

You can apply an amount of WD-40 onto a rust stain on your carpet to get rid of it. Allow the WD-40 to sit on the carpet for at least 10 minutes before blotting the area. Follow up with a regular carpet cleaner or a homemade solution to lift the stain out of the carpet fibers. Make sure always to use warm water when rinsing out the carpet and prevent any substances from setting-in the flooring.

WD-40 Multi-Use by WD-40

How to Remove a Very Old Rust Stain From Carpet

If you discover an old rust stain on your carpet, don't fret. Apply a healthy dose of vinegar, lemon juice, and warm water to the affected area, allowing it to saturate the stain thoroughly. Let the solution sit on the carpet for a minimum of 30 minutes to overnight. Agitate the area, brushing the fibers of the carpet in the same direction for about 5 minutes. Blot the area, rinse with warm water, and repeat the application of a cleaning solution as needed. Vacuum the flooring to reset the carpet's fibers after you have thoroughly blotted, rinsed, and removed all of the visible stains.

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