How to Remove Rust Stains from Sinks and Tubs

Those orange-brown streaks in your sink or bathtub are rust stains, and they are one of the most stubborn household cleaning challenges. Rust stains form when iron — either dissolved in your water supply or left behind by metal objects like shaving cream cans, razor blades, or old faucet hardware — reacts with oxygen and water to create iron oxide.

The challenge with rust stains is that most common household cleaners do not work on them. Rust requires an acid to dissolve the iron oxide, and the wrong products (especially bleach) actually make rust stains worse. This guide covers the right methods for every type of sink and tub material.

Why Rust Stains Form in Sinks and Tubs

Understanding the cause helps you prevent future stains:

• High iron content in well water: Well water in many rural areas (including parts of Oregon) contains dissolved iron that oxidizes when exposed to air, leaving rust-colored deposits on fixtures.
• Old iron or galvanized pipes: Corroding pipes release iron particles into your water. If your home was built before the 1970s and still has original plumbing, this is a common issue.
• Metal objects left on wet surfaces: Shaving cream cans, razor blades, metal soap dishes, and bobby pins left on the edge of a sink or tub create localized rust rings.
• Dripping faucets: A slow drip concentrates minerals in one spot, creating stubborn rust stains directly below the faucet.

Removing Rust from Porcelain and Ceramic Sinks and Tubs

Porcelain and ceramic are the most common sink and tub materials. They are durable but can be scratched by abrasive cleaners.

Method 1: Lemon Juice and Salt (Safest DIY)

1. Sprinkle a generous amount of table salt onto the rust stain.
2. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salt until it is saturated.
3. Let the mixture sit for 2 to 4 hours. For severe stains, leave it overnight.
4. Scrub with a soft-bristle brush or non-scratch sponge.
5. Rinse with water and repeat if needed.

Why it works: Citric acid in lemon juice dissolves iron oxide (rust), while the salt provides gentle abrasion to lift the loosened stain from the surface.

Method 2: White Vinegar and Baking Soda

1. Spray undiluted white vinegar directly onto the rust stain.
2. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
3. Sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar — it will fizz.
4. Scrub with a soft brush while it is still fizzing.
5. Rinse clean with water.

For vertical surfaces or stains around drains, soak paper towels in vinegar and press them against the stain. Leave them in place for an hour, then scrub.

Method 3: Bar Keepers Friend (Best Commercial Option)

1. Wet the rust-stained area.
2. Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend powder onto the stain.
3. Make a paste with a few drops of water.
4. Let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes (do not leave it longer on porcelain — the oxalic acid can etch the finish).
5. Scrub gently with a non-scratch sponge.
6. Rinse thoroughly.

Bar Keepers Friend contains oxalic acid, which is one of the most effective rust dissolvers available in a consumer product. It works on porcelain, ceramic, stainless steel, and fiberglass.

Removing Rust from Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel itself does not rust easily, but iron particles from water or cookware can leave rust stains on the surface.

1. Make a paste of baking soda and water.
2. Apply along the grain direction of the stainless steel (look for faint lines in the surface).
3. Rub gently with a soft cloth, following the grain.
4. Rinse and dry completely.

For stubborn stains, use Bar Keepers Friend or a stainless steel-specific cleaner. Always scrub in the direction of the grain to avoid scratching.

Do not use: Steel wool, chloride-based cleaners, or bleach on stainless steel. These cause pitting and discoloration.

Removing Rust from Acrylic and Fiberglass Tubs

Acrylic and fiberglass are softer materials that scratch easily. Use only non-abrasive methods:

1. Spray white vinegar onto the rust stain and let it sit for one hour.
2. Make a paste of baking soda and dish soap.
3. Apply the paste to the stain and gently rub with a soft cloth (not a sponge with an abrasive side).
4. Rinse thoroughly with water.

For persistent stains, use a product specifically labeled as safe for acrylic tubs, such as Whink Rust Stain Remover or Lime-A-Way.

Do not use: Abrasive powders, steel wool, or stiff brushes on acrylic or fiberglass. These surfaces scratch easily and scratches trap future stains.

Removing Rust Around Drains and Faucets

Rust rings around drains and beneath faucets are caused by constant water contact and mineral deposits:

1. Wrap a paper towel or cloth soaked in white vinegar around the faucet base or drain ring.
2. Leave it in place for 1 to 2 hours.
3. Remove and scrub with an old toothbrush to get into crevices.
4. For heavy buildup, use a paste of cream of tartar and lemon juice applied directly to the rust ring.
5. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Products to Avoid on Rust Stains

• Bleach: This is the biggest mistake people make. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) reacts with iron oxide and sets the stain deeper into the surface, making it darker and harder to remove.
• Abrasive powders on soft surfaces: Comet and Ajax are too harsh for acrylic, fiberglass, and cultured marble.
• Steel wool on any fixture: Steel wool leaves tiny iron particles behind that create new rust stains.
• Hydrochloric acid-based cleaners: Products like Lime-A-Way Heavy Duty are effective but can damage porcelain finish and plumbing components if used incorrectly. Use with extreme caution.

Preventing Rust Stains

• Remove metal objects from wet surfaces. Keep shaving cream cans, razor blades, and metal soap dishes off the edges of sinks and tubs. Use plastic or ceramic holders instead.
• Fix dripping faucets. A slow drip concentrates iron deposits in one spot. Replacing a worn washer usually costs under $5 and stops the drip.
• Install a whole-house water filter or softener. If your water has high iron content, a filter removes the iron before it reaches your fixtures. Iron-specific filters are available for well water systems.
• Dry fixtures after use. A quick wipe with a towel after using the sink or tub prevents standing water from depositing minerals.
• Clean regularly with vinegar. A weekly spray of white vinegar on fixtures dissolves iron deposits before they become visible stains.

Keep Your Fixtures Rust-Free

Rust stains look worse than they are. They are surface deposits, not damage to your sink or tub. Lemon juice and salt handle most rust stains on porcelain, Bar Keepers Friend tackles the stubborn ones, and preventing future stains is as simple as removing metal objects from wet surfaces and fixing dripping faucets.

If rust stains are part of a larger bathroom cleaning project, a professional deep cleaning can address rust, soap scum, mold, and hard water deposits in a single session. Otesse's bathroom deep cleaning service covers every surface from ceiling to drain, leaving your fixtures looking new.