Asked on Mar 15, 2014
Getting Stain Out of an Old Bottle
+34
I picked up this old bottle (love the shape) from a thrift store assuming that this was grease in the bottom. I've tried soap, soft scrub, bleach, and ice/salt and so far, no luck removing it. Doesn't help that the neck of the bottle is so small and I can't get my hand in it, but even the bottle brush isn't helping at all.
Suggestions?
Suggestions?
35 answers
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A while back, a previous post mentioned false teeth cleaner like Efferdent. ??? Good luck.
Tonya Hull Sacco
on Mar 15, 2014
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http://cottageintheoaks.com/2012/01/cleaning-bottles-tip/
Tonya Hull Sacco
on Mar 15, 2014
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I've had good luck with plain old white vinegar. Pour it in, let it sit up to 24 hours, then rinse out. I think at the end of letting it sit, you could probably throw some rice or something in there and swish it around for some agitation. Hope you're able to get it clean!
Tamara
on Mar 15, 2014
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Tamara has the right idea I think....it looks like rust. vinegar should help loosen it up!
Cathy Lothamer
on Mar 15, 2014
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Worth a try! Thanks!
Julie Benson-Grant
on Mar 15, 2014
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Use a cleaning tablet that you would use for dentures. We used to get a lot of old glass that was stained. Just desolve it in warm water and let it set.
Connie McKenzie
on Mar 15, 2014
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Maybe try a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Cool bottle.
Cheryl @ Artzzle
on Mar 15, 2014
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It looks to me to be rust so try some CLR it will do the trick.
Bonnie Lewenza
on Mar 16, 2014
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If it is rust Whink will remove it. Whink can be found in WalMart by the cleaning products for the bathroom.
Mary Warden
on Mar 17, 2014
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I agree, looks like rust. "Bar Keeper's Friend" does an amazing job on rust stains. Mix the powder in water and let it sit for an hour and it should all be gone. No scrubbing needed.
Jennifer Cabrera
on Mar 17, 2014
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A trick from the waitresses is lots of table salt and crushed ice. The glass coffee carafes cannot be scoured, and you cannot use chemicals to bleach them clean. Swirl, swirl, swirl and it works. I bumped it up a bit with aquarium gravel, salt and a little water. I make wine, and friends give me their empty bottles. Usually they're awful inside, but this will scour out any residue without chemicals. The denture tablet idea is also a good one.
Starla Swanson
on Mar 17, 2014
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Spray oven cleaner on the inside. May work for you. I was able to get rust stains out of some antique bottles in this way. Also, it really cleant up the interiors. The bottles looked lovely after the cleaning.
Elizabeth Sagarminaga
on Mar 17, 2014
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Mary warden is correct. Whisk removes rust in seconds!
Roberta Eagleston
on Mar 17, 2014
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If denture cleaner doesn't work, try letting oxyclean sit in it a while.
Chris Gordon Brown
on Mar 17, 2014
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It is definitely rust..if the Whisk doesn't work, try some WD40. The other idea I had was Coca Cola....Very cool bottle!
Deb Lewis
on Mar 17, 2014
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White vinegar, straight...soak for 24hrs
Shari Veater
on Mar 17, 2014
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If the above suggestions don't work, I would try Goof Off. I purchased a silver plated serving tray on Etsy and when it arrived, it had a large stain (the same color as the one in your picture) covering the edge. After trying multiple products, I reached for the Goof Off in a last ditch effort. The stain came off in a matter of minutes! Goof Off can be purchased at Walmart, Home Depot, etc. in the paint department. Good Luck :)
Karen
on Mar 17, 2014
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Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions... I have egg on my face to admit this, but the stain was actually on the outside! And a little scrubbing took it all right off! Doh!
Julie Benson-Grant
on Mar 17, 2014
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I found aquarium gravel worked better than the ice. You know, there's always the non toxic paint stripper to try if you think it may be something other than rust.
Starla Swanson
on Mar 17, 2014
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looks like rust, u can use whink rust remove works mediation rust stains or get iron out may have to let that one soak a little cause. u add water to that. Can get both at Wal-Mart. good luck.
Carolyn Atkins
on Mar 17, 2014
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If CLR does not cut it, just use it as a vase and enjoy it! By the time you put flowers in it, the stain will not be noticeable. I love jars for vases!
Jeanette S
on Mar 17, 2014
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hahahahahahah, now that was funny! But at least you received alot of hints on the removal of rust!
Halka.maryjo
on Mar 17, 2014
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"Whink" Is the best thing for rust stain on anything! My mom and grrandmom used it, so it's been around a long time. Some places it's hard to find... so don't forget your hardware stores!
Norma
on Mar 17, 2014
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They still make Whink?
Barbara Ann
on Mar 18, 2014
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The Works toilet bowl cleaner
JENGLAND
on Mar 18, 2014
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Too funny Julie...i had a similar problem a few years ago with a "stain" on my windshield. I tried every window cleaner in the book then vinegar and alcohol...took the car to a glass person and asked for help...he got the stain off in about 10 seconds...when asked what he used the response was "magic, I used pure water" WOW who knew!
Kitty
on Mar 18, 2014
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try Famous Amos from "HSN",...WILL CLEAN ANYTHING... HSN.COM
Shirley Mcdaniel
on Mar 23, 2014
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HAVE YOU HEARD THE OLE SAYING....A WOMANS "SPIT" WILL REMOVE "RUST" FROM A CAR??...IT WORKS..LOL
Shirley Mcdaniel
on Mar 23, 2014
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Try a denture tablet! My parents used those for old bottles when they had an antiques store.
Dagmar's Home
on Mar 31, 2014
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although I read that the stain was actually on the outside *gg*, I want to second the denture tablet: that works for vases, thermos jugs etc... with a bit of water... just wait a couple of hours, rinse it: clean! (it even helps with teapots)
Gabriele
on Apr 13, 2014
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Years ago my grandma showed me how. Put hot soapy water in the container with rice. Shake it good, repeat until clean. Now I think I would use CLR AND the rice. Hope this helps
Karen Murphy
on Apr 29, 2014
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My father was a pharmacist back when people returned their medicine bottles to the shop. We spent almost all day Sundays washing them out, for reuse, in freezing cold water, with sulphuric acid, his own homemade lead shot and one of the first detergents ever, "Teepol" made by Shell. (The beginning of the end???) Many of the bottles had lines around the shoulders which would have been impossible to reach, even with the smallest bottle brush. Obviously I can't make lead shot nowadays and even with rubber gloves, don't want to use strong acid, but tried to duplicate the original idea, with dried black beans and a denture tablet. It has worked so far. I like Starla's gravel idea. Would be as tough as the shot.
Linda T
on Apr 30, 2014
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We found Magica Rust Remover in a marine supply store several years ago. It worked wonderfully for rust on our sail boat's white galley counter tops and I started using it other places. You just put it on and let it sit and the rust wipes up. It's hard to find now but can order it from the company at 920-236-4223.
Camille Carlin
on May 01, 2014
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Vinegar and boiling hot water. Then add a few drops of real lemon juice. Let it sit over night. Has always worked for me.
Greta Swanson
on May 06, 2014
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I do antiques and use Polident tablets. I can't promise it'll work but it works on several things. Some bottles I have to crush up the tablet to get it into the mouth and it may take several tablets with very little water and let it sit over night. Sorry if someone has mentioned this already, but I didn't to read all 40 posts!
Pamela Knott
on May 07, 2014
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