Iron Stains (reddish or rust color) in the Laundry

Why is my laundry water a reddish or rust color?

This temporary condition is likely due to iron in the water supply, which is a common problem and a very real nuisance in doing home laundry. Iron can get into your washer machine in three main ways:

  1. Iron may be dissolved and picked up by groundwater used for the home water supply as it seeps naturally through soil and rock.
  2. Iron deposits can build up inside pressure tanks, water heaters and water pipes, then appear as reddish or rust color water upon having low or no water pressure. This may also occur when water lines are being flushed, and shortly thereafter.
  3. Rusty washer machine inner baskets may transfer small pieces of rust onto clothing.

Such incidents seem to cause problems with the laundry, causing yellow, orange, or brown stains to be deposited on clothes.

How can I remove these stains?

If you notice rust or iron stains on clothes when taking them out of the washer, don’t dry them before treating the stains. Heat sets the stains and makes them difficult or impossible to remove. Also, do not use chlorine bleach to attempt to remove rust stains. Chlorine can also make the stain permanent.

In order to help remove or lighten rust stains, you may want to consider rewashing the clothes with a commercial rust remover, many of which are readily available and can be found at most grocery and discount stores. Examples of commercial rust removers are:

·  RoVerâ

·  Rit Rust Remover®

·  Iron-Out®

·  Miracle-Rid-Iron®

·  Whink®

Use them carefully according to the manufacturers’ directions, including testing garments for colorfastness, using correct water temperature and wash cycle for type of fabric, and rinsing clothes thoroughly. Reminder: Heat and chlorine bleach may make the problem worse.

Reference to commercial products is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended or endorsement implied.

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Cornell University

Penn State University Iron-Out

Utah State University Extension Whink

Kansas State University Rit Dye

10/30/2006 11:40 AM