How do you remove a rust spot from a white quilt block?
 

Does anyone know how to get rust out of a fabric. My friend's iron died and so she went and used one her hubby uses for ironing shirts and didn't realize there was still a little water in it when she went to press. It was set on steam. She had a Dresden plate on a white background and it spit rust out on the background fabric. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the rust out without undoing the Dresden plate from the background and putting it on a new block. The Dresden plates are from old feed sacks that she bought at a church sale. I suggested trying a tide stick on the rust spot or maybe Dawn detergent with a small brush. Anyone have any ideas?

There is a product that I know Hancock's sell and probably Joanne's: it's called Grandma's Secret Spot Remover. I've never used this product, but it does list rust on the label. Also, I've heard if you soak the spot with lemon juice and set in the sun that will help. But no matter what she does, always check for color fastness first.

I have used Grandma's Secret Spot Remover. Bought mine from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Grandmas-Secre...dp/B0021JD2S0/
I haven't used it on the type of rust spot you describe, but I think it would be safe to try it. So far it has worked on three different stains for me in different garments and fabric types.

Check the Tide stick for ingredients, as any kind of bleach will weaken the fibers (even if it takes out the stain). I'm not sure it would work on a rust stain anyway as this is a mineral stain, not an organic one.

Edit: I found this article online that says that salt, lemon juice and sunlight works pretty well on rust spots:
http://laundry.about.com/od/stainrem...removerust.htm
The only thing is, if she leaves the block in the sun, she is going to want to cover the Dresden plate portion of it with something that will let no light reach the fabric (a book would be good). Sunlight fades fabric dyes fast!

Grandma's Secret Spot Remover is a wonderful product. I discovered it a couple of years ago and it works great. Even spots that have been washed and dried are gone. It hasn't hurt the color on anything either.
Sue

Oxi-clean laundry detergent (with stain remover) Maybe a little soft brushing
Great detergent

If its a spot from an iron, its not actually rust, its just dirty water from inside the iron, if it's on the white part dampen a white towel/ tea towel use a little dawn and warm water, place the stained part face down on another white towel or paper towel and dab from the back unti the stain has transferred to the towel underneath. If you do it on the stain you risk pushing the stain further into the fibres. This works with most stains.

I agree with this. It's not rust, it's deposits from the inside of the iron and it washes out. I iron my husband's shirts all the time and I declare, if I'm ironing a white shirt or something pale, my demon iron will start spitting brown spots. I just run them back through the wash and they have always been fine. No more spots. Fortunate, that.

Wink Rust Remover works great. Only takes a little bit and the rust comes right out. I think I bough mine at the grocery store in the laundry aisle.

I would try a few suggestions but if it were me, I would just remove the Dresden plate carefully and re-applique it on another background square.

I am also going to suggest this product. Just be careful with it - avoid getting in your eyes, etc.