What do you usually do? I'm assuming that this is not the first time it's happened. I'd be upset, too. /:-(

If the iron is in the water, a whole-house water filtration system will fix the problem.

Are you sure the rust is in the water and isn't coming from the house's pipes? What kind of pipes do you have (copper, galvanized, PEX, etc) and how old are they? Is this water treated and from a multi-home or municipal system of some kind or is it from a private well?

I usually do nothing. It's been awhile actually since I've had a white cotton item spoiled like this. Sure they eventually get a dingy white but not splotched. Must have been a surge of rust in the pipes or something. I'll do a Google search and see if it's too late since they've already been in the dryer. Thanks, for the sympathy.

Edit: We must have been posting at the same time Elmer. It's a well. Copper pipes, PVC in some places like from the pump and water tank. This is after many years of the old galvanized, but they've been replaced for more than 10yrs. now. Yeah, a whole-house water filtration system sounds pretty nifty, but I don't think that's going to happen, not in my lifetime anyways. Just looking for a product that might help set-in rust stains on 100% cotton.

I have had success removing discolorations by soaking the item in a sink with hot water and about 1/4cup of dishwasher powdered type detergent disolved in the water. Soak for about 1/2 hour. Run through rinse cycle in washer. Hanging out in sun will sometimes help. This treatment makes whites look brand new.

I'll try it. Thanks.

Ask in the laundry room. There was a recent thread about rust, although rust wasn't in the thread title.

May end up being no big loss. I slept on the sheets for the first time last night, and they are warm.

wish I could remember what Martha stewart used..she had antique linens and can remember her soaking them in a bathtub...(it was when she still had her old tv show)

warm? as in supposed to be? as hot as our house has been I'd go nuts, lol...Michigan and 90 are the pits...

Seems like I remember lemon juice, salt, and bright sunlight.....but don't recall how, why, when, nor how much.

Our city used to hand out "Rust Out" to any resident who complained of rust ruining their clothing. I believe it's now called "Iron Out".

rhizo, that is a good recipe for cleaning vintage linens. I used to collect them and have a small book by Michele Durkson Clise titled, "The Linen Closet" "how to care for your fine linens and lace". The salt and lemon juice can work wonders on discoloration but you need patience as it can take some time. Lots of rinsing and reapplying. I've had success with smaller items.

susan, warm as in uncomfortably warm. But you're right, my room last night was warm to begin with. Towards morning the sheets felt alright. They sure look pretty tho, I really do love them, especially on my antique bed. If you get a chance, look up Lauren Conrad bedding at Kohls.com. Then the sheet sets. They are on sale right now, and with Kohls discounts and promo codes you end up getting a deal. I'm trying to resist going back and ordering a third set.

OH - and I have to tell you guys this. Last night as I lay in bed I suddenly thought of something I did right before I put the sheets in the dryer. There had been a forgotten towel in there, smelled a bit musty, so I removed it and for some reason thought it would be smart to spray Fabreeze inside the dryer(!). Yipes. Do you think that had something to do with the yellowing? What a dummy.

I think you have discovered the source. I used to spray perfume after I was dressed, started seeing yellow areas on my clothing. Stopped doing it , ended the problem. There is a warning on Tide spot remover, says do not use and go into sun. Of course I read that after I ruined a white blouse the first time I wore it. Nothing would remove that yellow spot.

At least you don 't see the yellow after you get into bed.

And the fitted sheet doesn't really show when the bed is made. Thank goodness the yellowing isn't on the pillowcases and I didn't notice it on the flat sheet - yet. Thanks marcopolo. I learned a lesson.

"If" they were dried in a dryer,odds are the stains are set for good.