Got rust in your bathtub drain? It's a common problem that happens when water sits around too long or when you've got hard water in your pipes. 

It might not look great, you can definitely fix it without replacing the drain.

The good news is you've got several options to get rid of that rust.

In this post, I’ll show you 5 ways to fix a corroded bathtub drain and make it look good again.

#1 Vinegar And Baking Soda

Let's kick things off with a classic combo - vinegar and baking soda. 

It's eco-friendly and probably already in your kitchen. 

First, get rid of any water in the tub and dry around the drain. Sprinkle a good amount of baking soda on the rusty spots, then slowly pour white vinegar over it. 

You'll see it start to fizz - that's the magic happening! Let it do its thing for about 15-20 minutes.

Also Read: Black Stains On Bathtub

Once time's up, grab an old toothbrush or a soft brush and gently scrub in circles. This helps break down the rust and lift it off the drain. When you're done scrubbing, rinse it all away with warm water.

If you still see rust, don't worry - just do it again. 

Sometimes it takes a couple tries to get all the rust off.

#2 Lemon Juice And Salt

This is another way to remove rust from a corroded bathtub drain using stuff from your kitchen.

Mix up equal amounts of lemon juice and salt until you get a paste. Put this right on the rusty parts of your drain.

Let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour. The citric acid in the lemon juice works on breaking down the rust, while the salt acts like a gentle scrubber.

Afterwards, take a soft cloth or an old toothbrush and start scrubbing. Really work that paste into the rusty spots. When you're done scrubbing, rinse everything off with warm water and dry it up. 

You might need to do this a few times if the rust has been there for a while.

#3 CLR Or Other Commercial Rust Removers

If you're dealing with rust that just won't budge, it might be time to bring in the big guns - commercial rust removers like CLR (that stands for Calcium, Lime, and Rust Remover).

These products are pretty powerful and work really well on tough rust stains. 

Before you start, make sure you read what's on the bottle - these cleaners can be strong, so you'll want to open a window and put on some gloves.

Also Read: CLR on aluminum

Put the cleaner right on the rust spots and follow the directions on the bottle.

Let it sit for as long as it says, then give it a gentle scrub and rinse it off thoroughly.

Oh and it's always a good idea to test the product on a small, hidden spot first to make sure it won't damage or discolor your tub.

#4 Coca Cola

You might not believe it, but Coca Cola actually works pretty well on rust. 

The secret is the phosphoric acid in it.

Just pour some Coke right onto the rusty spots on your drain. Let it sit there for at least an hour - or even better, leave it overnight if the rust is really bad.

When time's up, grab a soft brush or cloth and start scrubbing. You should see the rust starting to come off. Make sure you rinse everything really well with warm water to get rid of both the Coke and the rust. 

It might not be as strong as other cleaners, it's pretty handy if you've got some Coke in the fridge.

#5 Pumice Stone

A pumice stone works great on a corroded bathtub drain too. 

Start by soaking the stone in water for a few minutes to soften it up a bit. Then, gently rub it over the rusty areas in circular motions. Don't press too hard - you don't want to scratch up your tub!

Also Read: Will Pumice Stone Scratch Toilet?

Keep at it until you've removed as much rust as you can. It's a good idea to rinse the area with water every now and then to wash away the loose rust and check your progress. 

When you're done, give the drain a good rinse and dry it completely.

It takes some work, but it really does the job on tough rust stains.

When To Replace A Corroded Bathtub Drain

Sometimes cleaning just isn't enough. If you've tried everything to get rid of the rust and it's still there - or getting worse - you probably need a new drain. 

Watch out for signs like little holes or cracks in the metal, or if water keeps backing up even after you've cleaned it really well.

If you decide you need a new drain, your best bet is to call a plumber. 

They'll take a look at what's going on, help you pick out the right kind of drain, and make sure it's put in properly so you don't have problems later.

But you can do it yourself too, it's not that hard.

Why Is My Bathtub Drain Corroding?

Your bathtub drain might be corroding because of hard water, which leaves mineral buildup, or acidic water that speeds up rusting.

Metal drains, especially ones made of brass or steel, are super prone to this.

If your drain’s always wet or you’re using harsh cleaning products, it only gets worse.

Leaks and clogs make it even worse by trapping this water and letting it eat away at the metal. If you’re not cleaning or checking for leaks, it’ll just keep getting worse.

Bottom Line

Dealing with rust in your bathtub drain isn't fun, but you've got plenty of options to fix it. 

You can always try something from your kitchen or get a special cleaner from the store.

The key is to take care of rust as soon as you spot it. Keep an eye on your drain and deal with rust right away - it'll save you headaches later on.

That said, if the drain is way too corroded, it would be easier to just replace it. Those parts are pretty cheap too.