The Best Way to Clean Shower Rust & Grime
Introduction: Why Rust Stains are a Problem
Rust stains in the shower can be frustrating to deal with, even if you keep your bathroom spotless. These stains are caused by high iron content in the water or corrosion around fixtures, and they can make your shower look dirty and uninviting. But before you reach for harsh chemical cleaners or bleach-based products, there’s a better solution: Bar Keepers Friend.
Why Bar Keepers Friend is the Best Solution
Bleach and other harsh chemicals can actually make rust stains worse, setting them deeper into the surface of your shower. That’s why Bar Keepers Friend is the better choice. This gentle but effective cleaner is tough enough to remove rust stains, yet safe for delicate surfaces like porcelain, stainless steel, and glass or plastic shower doors. Here are the steps to follow to get rid of rust stains in your shower using Bar Keepers Friend:
Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need. You’ll need a bottle of Bar Keepers Friend (powder or liquid), a soft-bristled brush or sponge, a bowl of warm water, and a clean towel or rag.
Wet the surface of your shower and sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend onto the rust stains. If you’re using the liquid form, simply apply it directly to the stains. Use enough cleanser to cover the stains completely.
Using a soft-bristled brush or sponge, gently scrub the rust stains in a circular motion. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as this can damage the surface of your shower.
Once you’ve scrubbed the stains, rinse the surface of your shower thoroughly with warm water. Make sure to remove all traces of the cleanser.
Finally, use a clean towel or rag to dry the surface of your shower. If any rust stains remain, repeat the process until they’re completely gone.
Say Goodbye to Rust Stains with Bar Keepers Friend
Removing rust stains from your shower doesn’t have to be a hassle. With Bar Keepers Friend, you can get rid of those unsightly stains quickly and easily, without damaging delicate surfaces. So the next time you notice rust stains in your shower, reach for Bar Keepers Friend and enjoy a clean, sparkling bathroom once again.
Stain-Busting Solutions for Shower Floors
For stains in the bathtub basin or on the shower floor, Bar Keepers Friend original powder cleanser is the go-to choice for rust removal. Make sure the surface is wet (but free of standing water), and sprinkle a small amount of cleanser on the rust, first testing it on an inconspicuous area. If stains are especially stubborn, you may need to add more cleanser, and a bit more water, to create a thick paste.
Allow one minute for the cleanser’s oxalic acid to work its magic and break up the stain. Bar Keepers Friend is non-toxic, but to avoid skin irritation, put on rubber gloves before wiping the area with a wet sponge or cloth. If the stain is gone, rinse the area completely, and use a soft, dry cloth to buff the surface to a shine. If the stain is still visible, add more cleanser and water, as needed, and continue wiping with the wet sponge.
Remove Rust Stains from the Shower Walls and Doors
For shower walls and doors, you need a cleanser that will cling to vertical surfaces: Bar Keepers Friend MORE Spray & Foam. This cleanser is a gentler version of our powdered product, so it’s ideal for acrylic shower doors, grout and delicate tile (but do test this product on an inconspicuous area first, and don’t use it on natural stone).
Choose the spray setting for spot-cleaning, or set the sprayer to the foam setting to cover a larger area (the foam also adheres to the surface longer). No need to wet the surface first – just spray the cleaner on the rusty area, and allow it to sit for one minute before scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge and rinsing. As with the powdered cleanser, repeat this process until the stain is gone, then wipe the surface to bring out a lustrous shine.
Maintaining Your Shower
Once you’ve successfully removed the stains from your shower, keep an eye out for the first signs of rust – it will return, given the opportunity. If you notice that your white bathtub begins to look a little drab or off-white, that could be because rust is starting to form again. Use Bar Keepers Friend often to keep surfaces free of rust.
Bar Keepers Friend isn’t just for rust stains in showers. That same product you rely on to make your bathroom shine can be used throughout your home, inside and out!
Have you used Bar Keepers Friend to clean rust stains from the shower? Share your #BKFBeforeAndAfter success story and it might be featured on one of our social media accounts, on our website, or even on a can of Bar Keepers Friend.
BKF: Real Problems, Real Solutions
A customer created a video demonstrating Bar Keepers Friend removing rust stains from a bathtub.