Ways and methods for cleaning plastic from rust at home

The plastic itself does not rust, but if it comes into contact with metal, it may leave red marks on it. They can often be found on window sills, under flower pots, on panels, where shelves are attached, on the ceiling, in the area of ​​lampshades and more.

Rust can appear on the plastic parts of a refrigerator or washing machine, the list is endless. How to clean rust from plastic?

Read the article about what folk and professional remedies exist to wash off rust from plastic at home.

How to remove using folk remedies?

To get rid of rust it is not necessary to use complex and expensive compounds. The means available in every home come to the rescue.

Lemon juice

You can deal with rust stains without damaging the plastic using lemon juice. The acid it contains removes dirt well. In small concentrations it is not capable of damaging the surface.

Mode of application:

1. Squeeze the required amount of juice from the lemon.
2. Impregnate white matter with it.
3. Apply a rag to the stained area and leave for 1-3 hours.
4. After the specified time has passed, remove any remaining product and rust with a clean, damp sponge. If necessary, you can use a brush.

The effectiveness of this method is average.If the rust is not deeply ingrained into the plastic, then you will be able to get rid of it the first time. In other cases, the procedure will have to be repeated 2-3 times.

The main advantage of lemon juice is that it is safe for all plastic surfaces.. The acid concentration in it is not high, so there is no risk of color fading or parts melting.

Alcohol

Alcohol neutralizes rust well, so it can be used to get rid of even old stains. The higher its concentration, the more effective the procedure will be.

Procedure:

• apply alcohol or vodka to a cotton pad;
• treat the problem area with it;
• Wipe the plastic with a clean, damp cloth.

There are no restrictions for this method. Alcohol is not capable of harming plastic, so it can be safely used to treat any surface.

Acetic or oxalic acid

You can get rid of rust stains using table vinegar or oxalic acid. These are quite effective compositions that help cope even with stubborn stains.

Mode of application:

1. Put gloves on your hands.
2. Soak any white material in vinegar. If the stain is small, you can use a cotton pad.
3. Wipe the contaminated surface. If the stain lends itself well to cleaning, then the treatment is continued until the desired result is achieved.
4. When the rust is difficult to remove, a cloth soaked in vinegar is left on it as a compress for 15-30 minutes.
5. After the specified time, the remaining vinegar and rust are removed with a clean, damp cloth.

Particular care must be taken when cleaning colored plastic. During processing, you need to monitor its reaction to interaction with the detergent composition. Read more about cleaning surfaces from rust with vinegar. Here.

Soda and liquid soap

A combination of baking soda and liquid soap allows you to quickly and safely get rid of rust. These components are used as follows:

• mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and ? spoons of liquid soap, bring the composition to a homogeneous consistency;
• apply the product to the stain;
• after 10 minutes, wipe the contaminated area with a sponge or brush with soft bristles;
• Remove any remaining product with clean water.

This composition will not damage or fade the product. The effectiveness of the product is high.

Hydrogen peroxide

If the stain is not too deeply embedded in the plastic, you can use hydrogen peroxide. However, it is used only on a light-colored surface. It can ruin dark plastic, causing white spots to appear.

Mode of application:

1. Soak a cotton pad with peroxide.
2. Wipe the surface with it. As disks become dirty, they need to be replaced.
3. After removing the stain, wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth.

To combat rust, you need to use pharmacy hydrogen peroxide, and not the one used for hair coloring. This will avoid problems with plastic fading. Before first use, you need to test the product on an inconspicuous area.

How to clean with specialized compounds?

On sale you can find special products designed to care for plastic surfaces. They are sold in departments with household chemicals, in stores for car enthusiasts, and also on the Internet.

The following compounds will help deal with rust on plastic:

1. HG spray for cleaning plastic. Before starting work, the spray nozzle must be set to the “Spray” position. After this, the composition is applied to the surface and left for 10 minutes. Then wipe the plastic with a paper towel. No rinsing required. The cost of the product is 330 rubles.
2. Mellerud cleaning agent for plastic products. Before starting work, the composition is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, after which a sponge is soaked in it and the contaminated surface is treated with it. After 15 minutes, the plastic should be rinsed with water. The cost of a 0.5 liter bottle is 330 rubles.
3. Premium House. The product is available in the form of a spray. It is applied to the contaminated surface, left for 15 minutes, after which it is removed with a paper towel. The advantage of this composition is that it does not need to be washed off with water. The cost of the spray is 180 rubles.

What should you not use to remove rust stains and why?

To remove rust stains from plastic You cannot use tools such as:

1. Abrasives and hard sponges. Together with the dirt, they will remove the top layer of plastic. Its surface will lose its former smoothness and attractiveness.
2. Products containing chlorine. This substance will cause discoloration of the surface.
3. Substances containing wax. This treatment will cause the plastic to become sticky and collect dust.
4. Aggressive compounds with hydrochloric or other acid. Such substances will cause the plastic to dissolve.
5. Solvents for paint and varnish coatings.Their application to a plastic surface will cause its damage.

How to clean different types of plastic?

White plastic is the most picky. Rust from its surface can be removed using products that have bleaching properties, for example, hydrogen peroxide is allowed.

Glossy plastic panels are resistant to contact with solvents and any abrasives. To process them, it is better to use the most gentle substances, for example, lemon juice. Otherwise, the product will lose its protective film.

Helpful information

To ensure that the process of removing rust from plastic goes without any problems, the following recommendations must be adhered to:

1. To remove stains from light-colored plastic surfaces, use only white rags. If you take colored fabric, there is a risk of pigment transferring from the fabric to the plastic. As a result, additional cleaning will be required.
2. You need to wear gloves when working with aggressive compounds. If the product has a pungent odor, additional respiratory protection is required. The room must be ventilated.
3. After cleaning is completed, the surface should be wiped with a clean damp cloth. This is necessary in order to remove any remaining product from the plastic and prevent it from damaging the product.

Conclusion

Removing rust from plastic is easy if you use the right products. Acids and alcohol-containing compounds have a good effect. If necessary, these substances can be combined. When rust has penetrated into the deep layers of plastic, they resort to the help of professional household chemicals.