How to Remove Rust from Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Flooring

Rust can get on tile from metal chair legs, cabinet legs, or any other metal object, such as nuts, bolts, or construction materials that have gotten wet and been allowed to sit on the tile floor. Typically, rust stains are discovered when these pieces of furniture or objects are moved and leave behind that unsightly reddish-brown stain.

Ceramic and porcelain tile are manmade materials, and, while highly resistant to staining in general, these materials are not impervious to rust. Rust can cause a very stubborn stain that resists standard cleaning products and procedures. In this situation, specialized solutions are required. 

The floor care experts at Jon-Don have assembled this helpful guide with tips and techniques for rust removal on ceramic or porcelain tile flooring along with the products you’ll need to get the job done. It is important to note that the following advice is intended for manmade tiles only. For advice on caring for natural stone, please see our dedicated stone floor care tech tips guide.

Can Rust Permanently Damage Tile?

Ceramic and porcelain are made in a kiln at extremely high temperatures, and as a result, they are extremely dense and less porous than natural stone. These types of manmade tiles have a lower absorption rate, so liquids in general are far less likely to absorb into the tile and cause staining.
 

Rust, however, can be an especially stubborn stain to remove. If the rust has been untreated for an extended period, rust particles may become embedded in the microscopic pores of the tile or permeate through the top layer of sealer on the tile surface, especially if there are cracks in the tile or grout lines.

If you’re able to act quickly, removing rust is not impossible. As soon as you’ve noticed a rust stain on tile flooring, wipe it away immediately. 

If a small amount of rust staining remains, try these simple solutions*:

• Lemon juice and salt. Using lemon juice and a light abrasive material (salt), minor rust stains can be removed. Apply lemon juice to the rust stains and let it dwell for about 10 minutes. When it’s time to wipe it up, add a pinch of salt to the area and gently scrub it with a clean towel.
  
  
• White or cleaning vinegar. Vinegar is acidic and will break down rust particles for removal. Spray or pour undiluted vinegar onto the rust stain and let it dwell for 10 minutes. Then, gently scrub the area with a firm-bristled brush before wiping up the vinegar with a clean cloth.
  
  

*NOTE: These solutions should only be used on man-made tiles. Do not use them on natural stone, such as marble or limestone, as it may cause etching and permanent damage. 

Professional Steps for Rust Removal on Ceramic & Porcelain Tile Flooring

If the rust stains won’t budge, it means the rust particles have settled into the pores of the tile or the top layer of the sealer. Applying a floor stripper and using an oxalic-based product, like Matrix® Rust Eradicator, may be effective in removing the rust embedded in the tile’s pores.

Note: Matrix Rust Eradicator should NOT be used on natural stone.

Below are two options to choose from to remove stubborn rust stains from your ceramic or porcelain tile floor.

NOTE: Always perform a test in a small inconspicuous area, such as inside a closet or a seldom-seen corner of a patio, before applying the products in the following steps to the larger floor surface.

Option 1: Descaler

1. While wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, such as goggles and gloves, apply Matrix® Truck Mount Descaler to the rust stain and allow it to dwell for 1 minute.
   1. NOTE: Do not use Truck Mount Descaler if bleach has been used on the floor, as the chemical reaction can be hazardous to your health.
2. Using a rough sponge, gently scrub the surface then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Option 2: Stripper

1. Strip the floor by applying Unitex® Melt Down Stripper diluted at 26 oz per gallon of hot water and apply liberally to the floor with a mop.
2. Allow the stripper to dwell for 3-4 minutes. Agitate the area with a rotary floor machine and black floor pad as necessary for 100% removal of the old floor finish.
3. Allow 3 minutes of dwell time and clean up the solution with a cotton mop or wet-dry vacuum.
   1. If the reddish color has faded but still somewhat remains on the tile, this indicates that the rust has penetrated the surface. Proceed with the remaining steps to try to remove the stain, but warn your customer that removal may not be possible and the tile may need to be replaced.
4. Apply Matrix® Rust Eradicator to the spot. Agitate the area with a rotary floor machine and white floor pad.
5. Mop the area with Unitex® Daily Clean diluted at 2 oz per gallon of water.
6. Let the floor dry completely.
7. Apply a tile or grout sealer if desired following the label directions.

Found a rust stain on the carpet? Check out our expert tech tip for removing rust from carpet.

How to Prevent Rust from Staining Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

The best way to avoid tough rust stains is to prevent them from happening altogether. Here are a few ways to minimize the chance of surface rust on tile floors:

• Avoid placing metal objects directly on the tile. Use floor protectors, such as felt or rubber pads underneath chairs, cabinets, and other furniture to prevent metal from coming into direct contact with the floor.
  
  
• Seal the tile and grout. Unglazed and glazed ceramic or porcelain generally do not need a sealer. Polished porcelain, however, has more porosity and is more susceptible to staining, so a topical sealer is recommended. Grout is generally cement-based and more porous, and a sealer is recommended to prevent staining of any type.
  
  
• Clean tile flooring regularly. Daily cleaning and tackling spills immediately will prevent staining and keep floors looking their best throughout their life. 
  
  
• Remove hard water stains. Occasionally, hard water stains are confused for rust. This is where utilizing a descaling product, such as Matrix® Truck Mount Descaler or Unitex® Perox‑a‑Peel Peroxide Cleaner, helps remove mineral scale buildup.

Tools and Products for Removing Rust from Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

Jon-Don offers an array of professional floor cleaning equipment for effectively cleaning rust from tile. For jobs big and small, we recommend the following.

Rust removers and cleaners:

• Matrix® Rust Eradicator
• Unitex® Surface Renew® Grout Brightener
• Betco Best Bet Liquid Creme Cleanser
• Unitex® Daily Clean Neutral Cleaner
• Unitex® Melt Down Plus Floor Stripper

Tools and supplies:

• Unitex® Defender Cotton Mop, White, Large, 24 oz
• Unitex® Floor Pads, White with 3‑Inch Center Hole (5 PK)
• O‑Cedar Commercial MaxiPlus® Mop Bucket & Wringer, 36 Quart
• Unitex® Floor Pads, Black with 3‑Inch Center Hole (5 PK)
• Unitex® Eliminator Blended Mop, Blue, Large, 24 oz

For industrial-sized jobs that call for something a bit stronger, visit our industrial cleaners and degreasers page.

Hard Floor Training Opportunities

For more in-depth training on how to care for a variety of flooring surfaces, we recommend attending a hard floor care class at Jon-Don. Taught by industry experts, these courses will help professionals learn how to care for tile and grout, natural stone, concrete, terrazzo, epoxy, VCT, LVT, and more!

Visit our hard floor care class page online to find a class near you.