How to Remove Rust From Linens

Spot Cleaning

1). Pour 1 cup of hot water into a small container, and add 1 tsp. of oxalic acid to the water. Stir with a spoon to mix.
2). Dip a clean white cotton cloth into the cleaning solution, and dab it onto the rust-stained areas of the linen. Allow the solution to sit for 2 to 3 minutes.
3). Wash your linens according to care or label instructions in a laundry soap for delicate fabrics. Rinse well. Set your washing machine for an extra rinse cycle, or manually set it on the rinse cycle again after the first rinse is completed.
4). Inspect your linens before drying to make sure that the rust stains are gone. If you dry your linens and the stains are not removed, you may never be able to remove them. Dry linens as recommended by the manufacturer.

1). Add 1 gallon of white vinegar to 2 to 3 gallons of hot water in a 5-gallon bucket.
2). Add 2 cups of table salt to the vinegar and water, and mix well with a long-handled spoon or a stirring stick.
3). Place the rust-stained linens in the solution, and soak overnight. Do not overload the bucket with linens. Instead, put only as many linens in the bucket as can be covered with the water.
4). Drain the water from the bucket into a bathtub or sink, and transfer the wet linens to the washing machine. Do not wring or twist the linens. Launder with a mild detergent according to the item's care or label instructions.
5). Inspect the linens before drying to see whether the stains are gone. If not, you may want to try the spot cleaning method.