'Flushing Season' Brings Rust and Iron Stains
by Frederick M. Hueston
It may not be a season that's celebrated, but it still comes around every spring and fall.
It may not be a season that's celebrated, but it still comes around every spring and fall.
It's flushing season: The time of year when cities and towns flush out the water mains to help remove sediment that has settled in pipes. You know flushing season is here when you see city crews opening fire hydrants around town.
The problem with flushing season is that some of the minerals and sediment being flushed get into your home water system. While not dangerous, this can lead to some ugly, rusty stains in sinks and toilet bowls and especially on your laundry.
So the problem then becomes finding a cleaner that will safely get rid of the stains. After all, flushing season will be back again next year.
Ordinary household cleaners are not very effective against rust and iron stains in sinks, basins and toilet bowls. The popular oxy-based laundry additives are not good at getting the orange-colored spots and stains out of clothes, and bleach tends to lighten the stain but set what is not removed.
The most effective products are made specifically for rust and mineral stains using reducing agents, not bleaches or acids. One product in particular is a specially formulated reducing agent called Super Iron Out. You can find it at most mass merchandisers, grocery stores and home improvement stores.
Reducing agents work by actually changing the chemistry of iron and rust, breaking it down into a clear solution that can simply be rinsed away. They are safe and can be used on everything from toilet bowls to the kitchen sink. You can also safely add them to water softeners, dishwashers and washing machines. They will fight the rust and help prevent further stains.
Super Iron Out is equally as effective at combating iron and rust stains on laundry. Used as an additive along with laundry detergent, it safely eliminates rusty stains on all washable fabrics.
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