Rust and mineral family: acid, never chlorine
How to get red clay and iron-rich mud out
Iron oxide gives red clay its colour, so detergent alone leaves an orange shadow.
Do this first
Let it dry and brush off
Fresh stain
- Let it dry and brush off
- Detergent and wash
- Fabric rust remover on the orange shadow
- Wash again
Dried or old
- Rust remover, repeat
- Fabric care
- No chlorine bleach.
- Time
- 30 min
- How to tell
- Look: orange-red; Feel: gritty; Smell: earthy
Where this fix comes from
We check every fix against these published guides. We do not run a test lab of our own.
Before you start
- Test on a hidden seam first.
- Never mix cleaners.
- Keep it out of the dryer until the stain is gone.