Rust/Age spots: how to get them OUT??

M

misscoconut

Registered Guest
Good morning!
Ok, I see sooo many beautiful vintage clothes with those heart-breaking tiny rust spots! :hysterical:
I must know-where, oh where do they come from?? Could it possibly be the metal hangers? But how to the stains get all over the place, all the way down to hems and on the front of skirts? And on such a large percentage of items? Ugh, it's enough to drive a woman crazy!

Now for the more important part, HOW in the world do you get them out? Particularly from sweater knits and chiffon? I know you ladies are the vintage experts, so please lay it on me! I am most appreciative of your help! Thank you! :kiss2:
Bess
 
Hi Bess!

You must have been reading my mind!

I was just thinking about it this morning, but i was particularly thinking on how to get them out when you can't launder something. Like the lining of a coat that you can't exactly toss in the washer.

Somebody mentioned Goddard's as a product that one could obtain from a drug store. I have been looking for that as I have a fabulous coat with age spots. I know people that swear by bleach pens but i hesitate on that.

I guess the other factor is if your spots are rust spots from a hanger or are they moisture spots? Moisture spots tend to be little dots, hangers i would imagine be on the shoulder area.... that may make a difference. I may try the moisture spots spot cleaning with a little woolite. or perhaps using baking soda or vinegar, but i have not tried it yet so don't quote me.

I need to dive back in the workshop forum and skim through Hollis' excellent care and cleaning workshop that happened in NOv...a lot of good tips there

Chris
 
Louise, you are kidding!! What a great idea!! I usually use Lestoil, made by Clorox which is really safe for any fabric. Have a dress soaking in it now (diluted).
 
Thanks Linda
I'm always vbuying denture tablets and I say to Gary thank goodness I only need them for cleaning clothes. They work wonders on white nylon that has gone yellowy.
Louise
 
Hi, all! Louise, I love this "hint" for the denture tablets! I have a dress with 3 small rust spots in it...I don't have it here, though, to picture... maybe later. How do you use the denture tablets? What proportion of tablets to water?

I JUST finished reading through the Care and Cleaning Workshop (VERY good reading, by the by!) and I can't wait to get that dress tonight so I can work with it after I discovered the fabric type!

You guys are the best!!!

Patti
 
I have had luck removing rust stains on white cotton or linen using oxalic acid, or alternatively, lemon juice, salt, and sunshine. As long as the stain hasn't rotted the fibres in which case a hole will replace the rusted fibres, but for most small rust marks on natural, washable fibres this is a guaranteed fix. Soak the spot in lemon juice, rub in some salt and put it outside on a sunny day. In an hour the stain will be gone. In the winter I use oxalic acid instead of the outdoor method and it works just as well.
 
I have great luck getting out almost any stain, including rust, with a product called "Oops" or similar stuff on the market. It was mostly used for getting dried latex paint off woodwork, glass, etc., but can be used on almost anything, for removing almost anything! But test first in an inconspicuous spot--my experience is that it generally won't take color out, but I have had it do so, so check first! My other standby, though I haven't tried it on rust, is warm water with a mixture of rubbing alcohol & dish detergent-daub it on with a Q-tip, let sit for a few minutes, then spot rinse (again, though, test first as the alcohol can lift color). HTH!

Thanks for the tip on denture tablets--I'm gonna try those next time I have a stubborn stain!
 
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