How to Remove Rust Stains from Wood

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Wood is susceptible to rust stains when it has prolonged contact with metal in moist conditions. Whether you left a rusty tool on a wooden table and it left a mark behind, or you removed some rusty nails or other hardware from a piece of wood, you will be able to remove the iron oxide stains using common household products. For light rust stains, all you need is a water and vinegar solution. To get rid of tougher rust stains, use oxalic acid to bleach the iron oxide.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Getting Rid of Light Stains with Vinegar

PDF download Download Article
  1. Fill a spray bottle halfway with water and halfway with white vinegar. Close the bottle and shake it to mix the solution well. [1]
    • This method will work for light rust stains, such as if you set something rusty on a wooden surface for a short period of time and it left some residue behind. It won’t work for deeper rust stains, such as from a rusty nail that had been embedded in the wood for a long time or an old tool that was sitting on the wood for a long period of time.

    Tip : This method is also safe for wood that is coated in paint or lacquer. The vinegar and water solution won’t harm the finish.

  2. Spritz enough of the solution onto the wood to completely cover the stain. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes to soak in. [2]
    • Keep the bottle with the solution handy so you can moisten the stain again as you clean it.
    Advertisement
  3. Scrub with light to medium pressure until the stain is gone. Spray more of the solution onto the stain as you go to keep it wet while you scrub. [3]
    • You can use another kind of soft-bristled brush if you don’t have an old toothbrush around. Just make sure you don’t use anything that will damage the wood, such as a hard-bristled wire brush.
  4. Soak the cloth under a running faucet and wring out the extra water so it isn’t dripping. Wipe down the wood to remove the residue left behind by the vinegar solution. Wipe off any excess water from the surface of the wood with a dry cloth. [4]
    • If the stain did not come off using this method, you will need to try bleaching the stain with oxalic acid.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Bleaching Tough Stains with Oxalic Acid

PDF download Download Article
  1. Take the rust-stained wood outside or into a garage workshop and open up the door if you can. Open up all doors and windows in the room if the wood is too big to move or you don’t have another space to work in. [5]
    • This method is recommended for tough rust stains, such as when a metal object has been left in or on the wood for extended periods of time (like a nail or an old tool). It also may alter the finish of wooden objects that are painted or have a lacquer on them, so it’s important to test the cleaner first.
  2. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the oxalic acid and a facemask to keep you from breathing it in. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes and a long-sleeved top with long pants to protect other parts of your skin. [6]
    • Oxalic acid is toxic and can cause extreme irritation and even burns if you get it on your skin or in your eyes. If this happens, rinse the affected area off immediately under cool running water for at least 15 minutes. If a burning sensation continues, then call 911 for assistance.
  3. Pour a bit of powdered oxalic acid cleaner on a wet old toothbrush and scrub it onto a small out-of-sight area of the wood. Wipe it away with a damp clean cloth and check to see if it damaged the finish or discolored the wood at all. [7]
    • Oxalic acid is a common powdered household chemical that you can buy at a home improvement center or anywhere else that sells household chemicals. It is sometimes sold under a unique brand name and marketed as a rust cleaner.
  4. 4
    Sprinkle oxalic acid over the rust stain. Pour out just enough of the oxalic acid cleaning powder to cover the stained area. Avoid getting it on anything but the wood you are cleaning, as it can damage other types of surfaces. [8]
    • If the wood is small enough to do so, it’s a good idea to put it on top of a workbench or another surface that you aren’t worried about damaging.
  5. Fill a ceramic or glass bowl with warm water. Dip the bristles of the toothbrush into the bowl to saturate them. [9]
    • Don’t use a metal bowl because the oxalic acid might damage it. A glass or ceramic bowl are the safest options to use.
  6. Gently scrub the powder covering the stain with the bristles of the toothbrush. Use back and forth and circular motions. [10]
    • Dip the toothbrush into the bowl of water as you go if you need more water to turn the powder into a paste.
  7. Wait until the water has evaporated and the paste has turned into a white crust. The crust will have now absorbed most or all of the stain and it will look clearer underneath. [11]
    • Don’t worry if you can’t tell whether the stain is gone through the crust, you will be able to check after you wipe it off and repeat the process if necessary.
  8. Dip the toothbrush into the bowl of water to dampen it and scrub the crust to turn it into a paste. Keep dipping the toothbrush and scrubbing until it is completely moistened. [12]
    • This will allow you to wipe the cleaner off of the surface and see the results underneath it.
  9. Use a clean rag or some paper towels to wipe off the paste. Scrub more water into any parts that are hard to wipe off to moisten them further. Let the wood air dry after wiping off all the paste. [13]
    • If the stain is still there after you completely wipe off the oxalic acid, then repeat the process from the beginning to remove it. If the stain is not gone after 2 applications, then you might need to sand and refinish the wood to remove it.

    Tip : After removing rust stains from wood that has a finish, you can rub a bit of mineral oil onto the wood to restore the finish if it is looking a little dull after the cleaning.

    10. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Rub a little bit of oil onto the wood after cleaning the rust stain off to restore the finish if it looks dull.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • I just removed a buildup of rust on wood paneling under a sink drain in a camper using WD-40 and a fine steel wool pad. Minimum of light scrubbing and looks like new with no apparent damage to finish.
      • Wear gloves and do not sprinkle oxalic acid with your bare hands. Consider using an old tablespoon to sprinkle the acid on the wood.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Always work in a well-ventilated space when cleaning with oxalic acid to avoid inhaling it.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • It’s recommended to wear gloves, a facemask, protective eyewear, long sleeves, and pants when you clean with oxalic acid to avoid coming into contact with it or inhaling it.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      Things You’ll Need

      Getting Rid of Light Stains with Vinegar

      • White vinegar
      • Water
      • Spray bottle
      • Toothbrush
      • Cloth

      Bleaching Tough Stains with Oxalic Acid

      • Powdered oxalic acid cleaner
      • Toothbrush
      • Glass or ceramic bowl
      • Water
      • Cloth

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Use a Ratchet Strap
      How to
      Use a Light Timer
      Homemade Dawn Powerwash: Easy Recipe for Refills
      Moving a Vehicle’s Electric Power Seat Forward or Back Manually
      5 Ways to Reset Any Maytag Washing Machine
      How to
      Make a Smokeless Fire Pit
      How to
      Fix a Leaky Sink Trap
      How to
      Make a Drone
      Safe & Effective Ways to Clean & Unclog Any Sink Drain
      How to
      Clean a USB C Charging Port
      How to
      Paint on Plastic
      How to
      Adjust a Lazy Susan
      How to
      Adjust a Furnace Gas Valve
      How to
      Disassemble and Clean a Honeywell Quietset Tower Fan
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about woodworking, check out our in-depth interview with Garrett Faust .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/deck/building/how-to-remove-stains-on-decks-porches/
      2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/deck/building/how-to-remove-stains-on-decks-porches/
      3. ↑ https://homesteady.com/how-10014572-clean-rust-stains-white-wooden-tables.html
      4. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/deck/building/how-to-remove-stains-on-decks-porches/
      5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/bleaching-wood/
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/bleaching-wood/
      7. ↑ https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/10/10/remove-iron-stains-wood
      8. ↑ https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/10/10/remove-iron-stains-wood
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/bleaching-wood/
      1. ↑ https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/10/10/remove-iron-stains-wood
      2. ↑ https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/10/10/remove-iron-stains-wood
      3. ↑ https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/10/10/remove-iron-stains-wood
      4. ↑ https://www.finewoodworking.com/2018/10/10/remove-iron-stains-wood

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 76,113 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement