Guide to Removing Rust From Old Bathtubs
Old bathtubs are popular in country style renovations that provide old style charm not found in today's models. However, many old bath tubs will become rusted overtime, and this rust can prove to be stubborn to remove. You can restore your old rusted bathtub to like-new condition with a little time and elbow grease.
Lemon & Water
- Pre-clean your bathtub with a non-abrasive cleaner such as soft scrub and water to remove and loosen dirt and debris that may be stuck to your old rusted bathtub.
- Wet down the entire surface of the bathtub ensuring that all areas of the tub that are rusted are thoroughly wet.
- Sprinkle salt onto the rusted surface of your tub. Ensure that the surface is well coated with salt. Sea salt or another type of coarse salt is the best salt to use for removing rust from your tub.
- Apply the juice of a lemon onto the area that you coated with salt. Allow the salt and lemon juice to sit for around 30 minutes. The salt and lemon juice will be working hard to lift the rust in your bathtub off while you wait.
- Rinse and repeat if needed. For tough, stubborn rust stains you can apply a thicker coat of salt and lemon juice, and then allow the mixture to sit on the rusty surface overnight before rinsing off again.
- Repeat the process as many times as needed to achieve a rust-free tub that you can be proud of.
Pumice Stone
- Clean your tub thoroughly with a non-abrasive cleaner and water so that you can remove any loose rust particles or debris that may be stuck on your bathtub.
- Rinse thoroughly ensuring that all cleaning product and debris is cleaned from the bathtub's surface.
- Rub the affected areas with a pumice stone with enough force to remove the stain. The pumice stone will work better if it is wet and the tub's surface is wet as well. You may need to re-wet the tub numerous times in between scrubbings with the pumice stone.
- Repeat the above steps as needed until the stains are completely removed and your old bathtub is restored to like-new.