This quilt was one my sweet mother started before my DD was born 22 1/2 years ago..Bless her heart she never finished it.. Her mother got sick and she had to care for her..When she found out I was starting to quilt she dug it out and mailed it to me.. Well it has rust stains on it.. How should I clean this and get it ready to put together and store it for hopefully grand baby one day! Thank you so much!

My grandma used to get out rust stains out by using Whink. It's in a brown bottle, and I don't know for sure if it's still available. But, it worked.
Otherwise, I'd try BIZ or Grandma's Spot Remover.

I use diluted lime away to get the rust out of my shower curtain, dont know that I would soak that down but maybe a little bit on a q-tip and dap it on there. I've never done a quilt, so hopefully someone here has a better answer.

oxyclean might get it out make a paste and place on wet stain for a few seconds

I found Whink online. Here's the link: http://www.whink.com/product_info.ph...products_id=29

thanks!!

I think Whink might damage the fabric.

I would use RetroClean (http://www.retroclean.com ). However, if you are thinking of removing the spots before the top is quilted, you would really need to baste it to a foundation fabric for stabiity first.

By "rust stains", do you mean the stains were actually caused by rusting metal? Or that they are just stains of unknown origin that look like rust? I think the word "rust" may be misleading.

I have used fresh lemon juice and then put it in sunlight to dry with good results!

cream of tartar will remove rust out of your sinks i would try it make a wet solition and dampen the quilt where the rust is put it where the rust stain is and let it sit for 15 min and rinse . you can do this multi. times wont hurt your quilt or fade it . Dottie bug

I just looked on line. They suggest lemon juice and salt. Just type in "removing rust stains from fabric" and there are a lot of websites that give directions. I found several that gave home remedies that you might try before you purchase something. It sounds like it may be a mark from a safety pin so it probably is some sort of rust. Good luck.

CLR removes rust stains and doesn't have a funky smell. I'd try it on a q-tip for little spots.

If you can't get the rust out, you can always applique rosy cheeks for him.

That's a very clever idea!!!

Suz

I would definately try RetroClean. Here's a post about a tablecloth I cleaned with it.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-78733-1.htm

I would wait until it's done and quilted though.

I think my grocery store still has Whink. you may want to check yours before you ordr.

Vinegar and baking soda works. Just mix them together with some cold water and soak it.

Works like a charm in my experience!

Explosive blessings, abundance and inspiration to you all!
- The Creative Seamstress

Retro clean works really well on rust or odd stains on old quilts.

I've used lemon juice, salt and sunshine to remove rust stains many times. Soak it in lemon juice, rub it good with salt and let it sit in the sun for a few hours. Rust should be gone. Operative word...should.

that's what I used also. and it worked for me.I dampened the spot, put COT on it , wrapped it tight so the COT stayed moist. Let sit

I have used this several times with great success. I would suggest you try putting a dab on the back in the seam allowance to be sure it is ok on your fabric before trying it on the front. Also BE SURE you don't get it on the enamel of your washing machine...it will dull the finish.

That was exactly what I was thinking... He needs rosy cheeks!!
Thanks!

My husband had a shirt with red sauce stain. Treated it with Shout and washed it. It still showed. So I got out the peroxide (sp) and dabbed it on the spots. It scared me at first as it made just a yellow spot on the stain. Washed it again all gone and it did not discolor. My friend who told me about this says she uses for everything including carpet and curtains. Just a thought.

vinegar took stain out of our rv carpet soaked well and let soak awhile and rinse out

I use hydrogen peroxide to get tough stains out ... works on blood. I soak a makeup cleaning pad in it and gently wet the spot ... spots disappear quickly and do not leave a residue.

Try some fresh lemon juice. just put around the stain and coax it to the center a let sit until spot is gone. so easy to sponge out.

I agree with the oxyclean. Had a rust stains on beautiful piece of irish linen and oxyclean took it right out with no damage.

I had 2 big rust stain on my light pink quilt. Made a paste of oxgy and let it sit awhile. I ALL came out. Worked great. Hope you get the stains out-good luck :thumbup:

I would try peroxide on a Q-tip, dab and rub a little ans see if that works. White vinegar might also work.

No suggestions but wanted to say it's a cute quilt.

The lemon juice and salt then leaving in the sun for awhile really works. I've done it before.

Kiss Off is a stain remover found in some art stores.

Thank you Dawn Marie. I have some old things of my great-grandmother's. Maybe this will take out the stains.

Most probably the "rust" stains are actually acid stains from being stored in a wooden drawer or cedar chest. Cedar chests continue to "bleed" oil for years. Other types of wood also excrete oils. I would not try rust remover; use another type of cleaner that others have already suggeste here, after securing the top by basting it securely to a backing of some sort. Good luck.

Carolynjo, Thank you. I will definately try this.

And Peroxide in sunlight is another way. Not too long in the sun,

i would try oxiclean, make a paste with it and put it on the stain let sit maybe overnight and wipe it off with clear water,
i have gotten dried blood and grass stains out of a white dress shirt with oxyclean, if it didnt come out all the way the first time try again

Please do not use CLR it's for hard surfaces, and I think it might damage your fabric.
If you use any acid.. like lemon or lime juice it should be thoroughly washed out.. or it will eventually eat a hole in the fabric.. it may take some time.. but it WILL happen. I would go with the retro clean or granny's something made for fabric and made to use on older textiles.

Cute quilt, great for a baby. Hope you have some luck with the posted ideas. Let us know which one worked.

Have you heard of Nelsphatha Soap Bar? it gets out the worst stains ever, need to wear gloves when using it, as it has very caustic ingriedients in it...lye is one of them I think. Cost about $5.00 at grocerystore in laundry /stains section.