Formica countertop is a type of plastic laminate that provides a durable & stain-resistant veneer for the kitchen and bathroom counters and also for tabletops. Rust stains from any table hardware, pots & utensils will leave light orange streaks or speckles on your Formica countertop surface, but these commonly are only on your countertop surface and aren't a permanent stain. Inappropriate rust removal causes more damage than the basic stain. Most of the abrasive cleaners scratch Formica & extremely acidic cleaners can etch your plastic laminate. Be careful while cleaning with the right solution removes stains without any damage.
Steps And Items Needed To Remove Rust Stain From Formica Countertop
If you are going to remove rust stains from Formica countertop then you just need some required items which are mentioned below and steps to follow. Here is the list of required items and steps for this process:
Things Needed For This Process
- Mild Detergent
- Cleaning Rags
- Soft-Bristle Brush
- Borax
- Lemon Juice
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Bleach
Steps For This Process
- First of all, you need to combine 2 teaspoons of mild detergent with one quart of warm water. You need to scrub any rust stain with the help of rough cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Avert using any abrasive pads and stiff brushes because they can easily scratch your Formica surface.
- Now you need to rinse your Formica countertop with some clear water. Wipe and dry your countertop immediately because the standing water will cause your laminate to separate or warp.
- You can also combine 2 parts of borax with 1 part lemon juice to form a thick paste. Smear your paste over the rust stain, but never try to rub it. Allow the applied paste to sit for at least three minutes because the citric acid combined with borax can easily brighten the rust stains but it isn't acidic enough to damage your Formica counter.
- Now you need to wipe your paste off your Formica countertop with the help of a wet rag. Simply rinse your stain affected area and then you need to inspect it for leftover rust stains.
- You can also pour rubbing alcohol on the leftover rust stain so it is entirely covered. Wait for at least one-two minutes, then you need to add enough bleach to cover all the rust stain. Allow the rubbing alcohol to stand for an additional 5-7 minutes and then simply rinse it with clear water and your clean rag.
Tips & Warnings
- Test cleaning solutions on an invisible area of your Formica countertop first to make sure that they don't damage the countertop surface.
- Do not try to use strong acidic cleaners, including most commercial rust removers, on your Formica countertop. Also, try to avert any harsh abrasives and strong solvents that can also ruin your Formica countertop surface.
- Do not try to mix bleach & ammonia cleaners because this will result in a lethal gas.