Our Rusty Water Is Staining Our Clothes! Help!

Mysterious red spots and orange streaks on your just-washed clothes can leave you scratching your head, especially if you haven't eaten any ketchup or barbecue sauce recently. If your washer appears fine on the inside, you may wonder: Does rusty water stain clothes, and if so, what can be done about it?

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Yes, rusty water can ruin your laundry, but you also need to identify why your water has a reddish tint. We break down why rust forms in your plumbing or washer and how you can prevent this frustrating issue.

Does Rusty Water Stain Clothes?

Rust is notorious for staining clothes, whether you're doing a home renovation project with old tools or have hidden rust in your plumbing system. Iron in your pipes or your washer can mix with bleach, laundry detergent or fabric softener. A chemical reaction occurs when iron combines with water and oxygen, resulting in rusty water in a washing machine.

So, what does this chemical reaction mean for you? Iron oxide, commonly referred to as rust, can stain your clothes, towels and blankets. Along with iron stains on laundry, you may notice stains inside your washing machine. Learn to identify these stains so you can treat them accordingly.

What Do Rusty Water Stains Look Like on Laundry?

Red, orange or brown streaks can indicate rust lurking in your washing machine or plumbing system. You may also notice white shirts turning yellow after a spin in the washer.

Rust can appear anywhere on clothes or linens, but it's especially common near zippers, buttons and other metal pieces. You can expect rust stains to feel flat and dry, not raised and greasy like some stains on clothes. Fresh rust stains may also have a metallic odor, especially if your laundry is still wet. Fortunately, laundry rust prevention is possible if you identify the culprit and take action.

Rusty Water Stains Clothes When We Wash Them — How Can We Fix This Issue?

Rusty water can stain your favorite T-shirt or leave your linens smelling like a bottle of multivitamins. To fix this issue, you must figure out why stain-causing oxidation is occurring in your pipes or washer.

Start by determining the source of your rusty water. Is rust coming from your washer, or is it forming in your pipes or water heater first? An outdated washing machine may have rusted drain holes or an outer drum coated with oxidized iron. The tub and hoses can also rust. You should repair or replace any rusty parts ASAP if you're concerned about iron stains on laundry.

If your washer looks fine, consider if the problem stems from hard water, corroded pipes or a failing anode rod in your water heater. The anode rod helps protect your water heater's tank from corrosion. It's important to replace this essential component if you notice damage or corrosion, and have a plumber flush your water heater regularly, too. This can help remove sediment buildup and prevent iron bacteria in water.

Hard water can cause stains due to excess or unbalanced amounts of iron and other minerals. A plumber can install a water filter for rusty water if that's the case. You should also call a plumber if you have older pipes and suspect they're corroded.

Don't forget to check for simple causes, such as a hairpin or nail that accidentally made it into the washing machine. Consider cleaning the washer at least once a month with a vinegar and water mixture or a commercial washing machine cleaner.

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Are Rust Stains Permanent? How to Remove Rust Stains

Rust stains can become permanent, so act quickly if you notice reddish spots on your laundry. You can remove well water rust stains and iron stains from rusty washers with a few basic household supplies:

1. Use Salt and Lemon Juice

Create a thick paste made from a 1:1 ratio of salt and lemon juice, then apply liberally on rust-stained clothing. Wait 5 minutes, then blot with a clean, dry cloth and remove any leftover paste. Let your laundry dry outside in the sun.

2. Mix Baking Soda, Cream of Tartar and Hydrogen Peroxide

Make a paste with 1 teaspoon cream of tartar, 1 teaspoon baking soda and several drops of hydrogen peroxide. Apply the paste on stains, then rinse with hot water. Clean as usual in your washing machine, but avoid bleach. It can trigger a chlorine bleach rust reaction.

If natural remedies fail, try a commercial rust remover. A dry cleaner or professional laundry may also be able to help.