The combination of iron bacteria and the minerals in the water can cause the rust particles to cling to the porcelain or enamel surfaces of bathroom fixtures. Unfortunately, the stains will reappear after cleaning unless the water is filtered or treated with a water-softening system.
Red-brown rust stains result from the presence of iron in water, making itself at home in your toilet bowl, tub, and sinks. Air combines with the particles, causing them to oxidize and color. Over time, they build up on surfaces where water drips.
Whink Rust Stain Remover
This little brown bottle has long been my go-to rust remover on tile and porcelain. It's easy to apply to sinks, tubs, and toilets, and doesn't require much effort to wipe off. There's no need for vigorous scrubbing or hours of soaking. That said, Whink is a specialized cleaner.
THE FIX: Hydrogen peroxide
Apply it with a soft sponge to the offending stain. Let the paste dwell on the ceramic or porcelain surface for one or two hours. Scrub down the stain with a stiff-bristle brush.
For white porcelain only, bleach can be used to remove stains; never use chlorine bleach in colored or vintage porcelain, as it can damage the finish. For both white and colored porcelain, liquid oxygen bleach (such as hydrogen peroxide) is a good alternative.
CLR's unique formulation has multiple uses! Safe for various applications and surfaces… (tubs, showerheads toilets, sinks, porcelain, glass, cement, stucco, brick, stainless steel, and much more)!
Use on most bathroom surfaces including: porcelain, ceramic tile, shower doors, sinks, bathtubs, white grout and caulk, toilet bowls, and fiberglass. Will not remove rust. Do not use on vinyl, natural stones, mirrors, plastic laminates, wood, fabrics, painted, coated or sealed surfaces, colored grout or wall coverings.
The bathroom sink, especially a porcelain one, can tend to get quite nasty over time. You see a lot of discoloration around the drain and the overflow hole. Just apply the concentrate solution to both areas, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it with a cleaning toothbrush.
When cleaning a toilet bowl, WD-40 works by softening the rust and lime deposits, so they can be easily wiped away. You don't need to use much of it. Simply spray on the affected area, wait a minute or two and brush it away with a regular toilet brush.
The brown stain is from a large amount of iron in your water.
Provided you're only dealing with surface rust or a rust stain, you can simply spray some WD-40 directly onto the stain, leave for around ten minutes and wipe away with a cloth or old toothbrush. You may need to use something like an abrasive sponge if the rust is a little more stubborn.
There are a few ways to restore your porcelain tile after you've come across a stain. You can try tackling the spot with some hydrogen peroxide or by using a steam cleaner. For more difficult stains, consider trying diluted muriatic acid, an industrial-strength solution professionals have been using for decades.
Especially ceramic and porcelain tile and grout! Blue dawn does not discolor grout joints and further is a great degreasing agent from everyday traffic. Use daily to weekly. The more traffic, the more cleaning.
Do not use cleaning products that contain acids or ammonia (and other harsh chemicals) as these can damage grout and glazed surfaces of the tile. Choose products that are compatible with your grout to avoid damage or discoloration of the grout. Always dry your porcelain thoroughly after cleaning.
Bar Keepers Friend even removes food buildup and knife marks from porcelain, ceramic, glass dishes, and serving ware. From floor to ceiling, Bar Keepers Friend leaves your kitchen shining. You'll quickly learn why we're the best kitchen cleaner!
You can safely use vinegar to clean ceramic or porcelain tiles, whether they are glazed or unglazed.
For cleaning and sanitizing, the CDC recommends a dilution of one cup of bleach to five gallons of water. Diluting bleach decreases the alkalinity and is safe for regular use on all types of porcelain and ceramic tile surfaces.
Whilst the right solution is a completely safe, natural, and vegan-friendly cleaner for your floors, you do have to be careful with how you use it. This is because too much exposure to strong vinegar could strip away the finish on your porcelain.
Sprinkle the marks with acidic cleanser powder.
The most popular acidic cleanser for metal marks is Bar Keeper's Friend, although a generic ceramic stove top cleaner or Rust Stain Magic are good alternatives too.