How to Clean Rust on Cement

Stains that appear on cement due to rust are a common problem for many homeowners, especially in homes that use well water, because well water often has a high iron content. Stains of this kind are difficult to prevent and look very nasty if not cleaned properly. Rust stains are difficult to completely clean, but you can significantly fade them.

Table of Contents

Remove small rust stains

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Wash concrete with soap and water before starting to remove rust. Dust and dirt will get in between the cleaner and the stains, making your job less efficient. Once the concrete surface has been cleaned, you should wait for it to dry before continuing. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Pour or spray lemon juice on the rust. Almost all rust cleaners use acids to loosen and scrub the stain. The high concentration of citric acid in pure lemon juice makes it a good candidate for cleaning. Pour lemon juice over the stain and wait 10 minutes before scrubbing it with a wire brush.

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Pour or spray white vinegar on rust stains instead of lemon juice to remove stubborn stains. Let the vinegar soak for a few minutes before scrubbing it with a wire brush. Rinse off the rust with cold water and repeat the process again for hard-to-remove stains. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Scrub the concrete surface with a brush. Let the lemon juice or white vinegar infuse for about 5-10 minutes. Use a stiff nylon bristle brush if it is a smooth, painted concrete surface. Scrub in small circular motions to remove as much rust as possible.

Do not use a metal brush as this can remove the grout from the concrete surface and expose the underlying adhesive material.

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Rinse concrete with cool water after scrubbing is complete. After rinsing, wait for the concrete to dry. You’ll probably want to re-treat the stain again, as repeated washing is often the best way to completely remove the rust.

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Use a sponge and diluted vinegar to scrub damaged or painted surfaces. If you do not want to use a wire brush for fear of damaging the concrete surface, you should use a sponge and warm water. However, you need to test the cleaning product on a small corner of the concrete surface first – many acids can strip or damage the paint. Dilute 1 cup of vinegar with ½ cup of water and start scrubbing gently in a circular motion. You may need to wash 3-4 times, but gradually it will work.

Treatment of large rust stains

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Switch to a commercial cleaner if vinegar and lemon don’t work. For large and difficult stains, you will have to resort to strong cleaners. Rinse concrete and allow it to dry before applying any of the following chemicals, and remember to follow safety precautions:

Work in a well-ventilated place.
Use gloves and safety glasses.
Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt to protect your skin.

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Use an oxalic acid cleaner, such as Singerman’s or F9 BARC. These products are often used to scrub sinks without scratching, and they work to remove rust quickly. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

These cleaners usually come in liquid or powder form.
Spray or sprinkle cleaning product onto rusty surfaces. If using powder detergent, wet it with a little water.
Allow the cleaner to soak for a few minutes before proceeding with the treatment. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Use sodium phosphate (TSP) to clean stubborn rust. Mix ½ cup (120 ml) of TSP with 2 liters of hot water. You can buy TSP at home improvement stores and take it home with extra water. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Wear gloves before using the TSP.
Pour the mixture onto the rusty surface.
Let the mixture soak for about 15-20 minutes.

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Scrub with a stiff nylon brush and rinse once the detergent has absorbed. As above, you should not use metal brushes, as this can remove the coating on the cement surface. Use a stiff nylon brush and scrub in a circular motion to remove the stain. Rinse off the cleaner when you’re done scrubbing, taking care to rinse thoroughly. Detergents can discolor concrete aerated for a long time on the concrete surface. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Prevent stains caused by rust

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Paint the concrete surface to create the best protection against rust. The concrete coating is used as a wood polish and will penetrate the pores of the concrete, helping to protect the concrete from staining. You can buy this paint at home improvement stores. For best results, you need to repaint every 2-3 years:

Choose a weekend that is less likely to rain to work.
Wash concrete and clean any stains.
Starting at the corner, roll the top coat over the concrete surface.
Wait 48 hours for the paint to dry before placing furniture on the concrete surface. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Avoid placing furniture with metal legs on concrete. If this cannot be avoided, you should try to move the item away when it rains. Wet metal outdoor furniture is the number one cause of rust, but this can be easily avoided if you’re careful. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Purchase felt pads or outdoor rugs to protect the concrete.
Try coating metal furniture to prevent rust. You can also cover rusted furniture to prevent rust from spreading to the concrete.
Even interior concrete can rust if it’s in a damp room, so you need to watch out for metal-concrete contacts.

Advice

If a rebar protrudes above the cement surface causing rust, repaint the surface with concrete coating after cleaning to prevent future rust. This product is available at building materials stores. Remember to follow the instructions for use on the packaging.
To prevent rust stains, you should avoid spraying water on the concrete surface while watering the lawn.
For best results, you should use a high-pressure washer to clean the concrete.

Steps

Remove small rust stains

Treatment of large rust stains

Prevent stains caused by rust

Advice

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