Just because you’re seeing rust build up on your bathroom sink, drain, and other areas doesn’t necessarily mean you’re bad about cleaning or that your whole plumbing system is rusting. Homes that have water with a high iron content are more likely to develop rust stains and this is the most common reason behind rust developing on sink drains. If your home is located in an area with lots of iron deposits in the ground, then you could end up with some unsightly rust stains even when keeping things clean. If you live in a place with high iron levels, you may be searching for how to remove sink rust.

Thankfully, the steps involved aren’t difficult. There are several different methods you can attempt when figuring out how to remove rust from bathroom drains depending on what you have and are comfortable using. If you need a professional's help to remove rust around bathroom sink drain, if you’d like a complete plumbing inspection to determine how bad your rust issue is or if you have leaky pipes, CroppMetcalfe is at your service.

How to Remove Rust from Bathroom Drain

When learning how to remove sink rust, you must begin with the gentlest methods of rust removal. This way you can gently remove any rust without scratching or damaging your sink, and you can avoid harmful chemical fumes. You might be able to clear up all the rust without a lot of effort if you do the job right so start small. 

As you learn how to remove rust from sink, begin by carefully washing your sink with warm water, dish soap, and a sponge. This will help you see all the rust spots that need your attention without any dirt or grime getting in the way. Once you can see everything, you can begin with one of these methods:

Salt and Lemon Juice

Take some table salt from your cupboard and sprinkle over the rust spots in your sink, enough to cover the stains. Next, cut a lemon in half and squirt some lemon juice over the salt, letting it sit for an hour or more. Once it’s had time to sit, scrub at the salt using the flat side of your lemon or a gentle scrub pad. You can repeat the process as many times as you need to remove rust around bathroom sink drains.

Baking Soda and Water

If you have a stainless steel sink with rust around the drain, you can use a little bit of baking soda and water to remove the stains. Mix some baking soda and enough water to create a paste, then apply it to any of the rust spots you see. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing the spot with a brush or scrub pad.

Baking Soda and Potato

Believe it or not, the combination of the acid in potatoes can break down rust around bathroom sink drain. Sprinkle some baking soda on a slice of potato, then rub the rust spots for a few minutes. Rinse and repeat as needed. 

Hydrogen Peroxide and Cream of Tartar

If you’d like to try another rust-removal method, make a paste using one-part hydrogen peroxide and two parts cream of tartar. Spread it over the areas of rust and let it sit for an hour or two. Once it’s had sufficient time to sit, clean the rust stains using a sponge or scrub. Rinse and repeat as necessary.

Professional Plumbing Help

Not only is a rusty sink ugly to look at, but rust can cause damage over time. If you spot rust around your plumbing, it’s best to get it removed as quickly as possible. Use any of the above methods to carefully remove rust stains and enjoy a clean, fresh sink again. If you have any questions or need professional plumbing help, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at CroppMetcalfe.