Remove rust and limescale stains from your balcony with these natural remedies
Balconies and verandas are the areas of the home that get the most dirty. Being areas exposed to wind-borne dust and rain, it is hardly surprising that this happens. In addition to the dirt that builds up quickly, it is easy for rust or limescale deposits and stains to form on the floors.
Rust comes from the oxidation of iron that comes into contact with water or moisture. And it can form on the floor of balconies where metal objects have been placed (like chairs or tables). Or, it can be caused by acid rain that brings with it substances used in agriculture and has made its way into the atmosphere.
In any case, removing rust and limescale can be very simple using natural products and remedies. Read on to find out more:
- White vinegar: vinegar is an acidic liquid with a great descaling and cleansing power. You can pour some vinegar on a woolen cloth so that it is well soaked and pass it over the area to be cleaned. Leave it to act for about 30 - 60 minutes, placing the cloth over the worst of the stains. Then, rinse off with warm water, scrubbing off the rust with an abrasive sponge. This solution is also suitable for cleaning terracotta and coarser, more resistant floors.
- Lemon: with lemon you can pour the juice onto the stains, or use half a lemon like you would a sponge. After 2 to 3 hours, rub clean with a sponge and rinse off with warm water. Lemon is less aggressive than vinegar and can be used on more delicate surfaces.
- Bicarbonate and lemon juice: for particularly delicate floors - such as stoneware or ceramic floors - the best is to a mix some lemon juice with sodium bicarbonate (which has a more delicate cleaning action). Add the lemon juice to the bicarbonate until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous. Spread the mixture on the rusty or encrusted stains and let it act for 3 to 4 hours. Rinse off with warm water, and you will be impressed with the results.
In addition to rust and limescale, these products can remove all other types of dirt. You can use them to clean balcony floors (even in the absence of rust), perhaps combining them with Marseille soap or any other type of neutral soap.
Have you ever tried any of these remedies?
