How Cleaning Pros Tackle Winter Salt Stains

Winter slush can leave its mark on coats, carpets, shoes, and boots. In addition to the mud and dirt, the slush contains salt and other chemicals that can fade fabrics, weaken fibers, and leave leather dry and discolored.

Learn how to easily clean winter slush and salt stains from clothes, shoes, and carpets from two fabric care experts.

• Jerry Pozniak is the owner of Jeeves New York, a luxury dry-cleaning company, as well as the author of The Laundry Book with his son, Zach.
• Steven Toltz is the president of Dependable Cleaners in Colorado.

How Pros Recommend Cleaning Salt Stains

Stains in different places need different kinds of care, but thankfully, most of the products needed are things you already have at home.

Clothing

“Washing clothes using your regular detergent will remove salt residue and stains,” says laundry expert Jerry Pozniak. “The clothes should be washed as soon as possible to prevent fading from the chemicals.”

He adds that wool coats and trousers or velvet or silk dresses that are usually labeled as dry-clean-only should be taken to a cleaner as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.

For small stains, you can spot treat them without washing the whole garment.

“Mix a few drops of mild laundry detergent with 2 cups of warm water. Dip a cloth into the solution and dab the stain,” says cleaning expert Steven Toltz. “Avoid rubbing, as this can push the residue deeper into the fabric. Use a clean cloth dampened with water to blot away the soapy residue, then allow the fabric to air dry.”

Shoes and Boots

Toltz shares his best advice for removing salt stains from leather shoes and boots:

1. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a small bowl.
2. Dip a soft cloth in the solution and gently wipe the salt-stained areas. Use an old toothbrush to clean the area between the sole and the leather.
3. Wipe down the entire shoe with a clean, damp cloth to remove the cleaning solution.
4. Pat the shoes dry with a towel and allow them to air dry away from direct heat.

This solution will work to remove salt stains from any type of footwear. For suede boots, wet the entire surface with the vinegar and water solution to help keep the color even. Use a soft-bristle brush to lift the nap of the suede once the boots are dry.

Carpets

Fortunately, the carpets and floor mats in our cars are made from synthetic fibers that are more resistant to salt stains. However, the salt can cause wear and tear on the fibers.

Allow the carpet to dry and then vacuum well to remove salt particles. Or you can spray the area with a 1:1 water and distilled white vinegar solution and use a wet vac to suction away the damaging chemicals.

For carpets in your home, use washable door mats to capture as much salty slush as possible. Spot clean rugs and carpets, especially wool rugs, as needed.

Why Salt Stains Occur

Municipalities and homeowners use salt to help melt snow and ice more quickly. As the frozen stuff turns into slush, it is splashed onto our shoes and clothes. Once the slush dries, it leaves a powdery white residue.

“The salt and calcium chloride that deposit on garments will cause damage and color loss to fabric if left untreated,” Pozniak says.

5 Common Items You Can Use to Clean Salt Stains

• Laundry detergent: Salt stains can be easily removed from washable clothes by following your usual laundry routine. The stained clothes should be washed as soon as possible to help prevent discoloration or fading from the salty chemicals.
• Plain water: If you don’t have anything else on hand, blot the stained area with plain water. This will dilute the salts and can remove the powdery residue.
• Dish soap: Mix a few drops of dish soap in 2 cups of warm water. Blot the stained areas on shoes, clothes, or carpets. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any soapy residue. Allow the fabric or shoes to air dry.
• Distilled white vinegar: Mix an equal amount of vinegar and water in a small bowl. Blot the salt stains. Blot away the vinegar solution with a clean, damp cloth and let the area air dry.
• Clothes steamer: The steam from a clothes steamer can dissolve the powdery residue of dried salt stains. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to create a steady flow of steam. Hold the steamer at least 6 inches from the fabric until the fabric is damp. Blot away the salty residue with a clean, damp cloth and allow the fabric to air dry.