Your home is a significant investment, and you want to keep it looking beautiful. One room in your home you should pay special attention to is your kitchen. It gets the most foot traffic and is a place you likely spend a lot of time cooking and conversing.
While natural stone kitchen countertops are stunning, they are also prone to rust stains. If you have countertop rust you need to get rid of, then consider investing in countertop rust remover. There are steps you can follow that will take away your countertop rust stains and improve the look of your kitchen quickly.
Discoloration
The first step is to identify that there’s an issue with your countertops. While some random discoloration in some natural stone is normal, there may be reasons why they look as they do. Some homeowners think these imperfections add character and make the countertops stand apart from the rest. However, rust stains, in fact, take away from your beautiful counters and can be removed. They may be attributed to an accident such as by an object made of iron that was wet. Once you identify that there are rust stains, then it’s wise to secure products in your home that will help you to remove them properly.
Use the Right Products
You should always approach countertop stains on natural stone with caution. You don’t want to use just any type of cleaner, or you may risk damaging your counters. Prevention is your best defense against rust stains. However, you may notice one day in the future that your countertops look discolored and that there are stains you need to address.
Two products that you should make sure you always have on hand are:
Rust-EX is suitable for removing all types of rust stains from travertine, limestone, marble, non-colored concrete, and artificial stone with a calcium carbonate base. The reactive compounds in Rust-EX interact with the rust stains and transform them into water-soluble particles that can be rinsed away. Rust from patio furniture, metal objects, fertilizers, pipes, air conditioning units, and planters can be safely removed in as little as 5 minutes, without the need for special tools or training.
Rust Remover Gel is the fastest and most potent rust remover out there. Rust Remover Gel's thick liquid format allows it to be used successfully on both horizontal and vertical surfaces, making it perfect for use on walls, showers, copings, facades, or other vertical applications.
- Acid-free and safe for all stone types
- For use on vertical and horizontal surfaces
- Easy to use, very potent, and fast-acting
Both of these products are readily available online. Follow the instructions on the package and read the warning labels carefully.
How to Remove Rust Stains
Begin by using a small area of the countertop as a test. Apply one drop with a cotton swab right on the stain. Allow the product to work for 10 or 15 minutes. If the droplet soaks in, add another drop on top until you have a tiny standing pool of solution on the surface no bigger than the eraser on a pencil. You can then take a clean cotton swab and try to suck up the droplet you put on the counter. You’ll know that you’re removing the rust stain if the tip of the new cotton swab turns from white to brown. It’s a sign that the rust may have just been a surface deposit. Be sure to take the time to rinse the spot at least two times with clear water. Use a clean rag and then dry the area on the countertop.
Checking for Surface Damage
Once you complete this step, then you should check for surface damage next. You can do this by using a flashlight or smartphone light to see if the product you applied harmed the gloss finish of the countertop. Most likely, there will be no damage to your counters. However, you’ll still want to check to make certain and even wait a week or so to see if there is any color change to the spot where you removed the rust. If you see no change in color then you can repeat the same process to remove all the surface rust stains. Be sure to take your time and don’t use more than the recommended amount of solution.
Cleaning Your Countertops
Once you remove all of your rust stains, it’s even more necessary and worth your time to maintain them so they continue to look their best. You can avoid rust stains by taking the proper precautions and preventions and making sure you keep them spotless. It’s in your best interest to take good care of and keep your countertops clean. Use a simple soap and water solution or rubbing alcohol and water solution. It’s a good idea never to use an abrasive cloth which may cause damage to your countertops. Instead, use non-abrasive cloths that won’t dull the surface. Keep up with cleaning them often to ensure they maintain their attractiveness, and you can prevent any further damage.
Conclusion
Follow this advice and these steps to help you get rid of countertop rust stains. You need to have theright types of products handy so that you can take care of them as soon as they appear. You’ll also be able to prevent damage and ensure they continue to shine when you use a countertop rust remover that’s proven to get the job done right. Remember to go slow and concentrate on what you’re doing so that you can make your countertops look brand new again.
You’ll never regret the time and effort you put into maintaining a beautiful and clean kitchen. Your countertops are the star of the show, and you want them to be rust-free so you can be proud of your kitchen and home. However, don’t panic if you do see rust stains. Use this knowledge to your advantage so you can reverse any spots or imperfections that do arise.