Salt stains are a common problem during the winter months. These stains usually form on shoes, clothes, and carpets. The culprit of salt stains is the salt found in solutions commonly used for deicing roads, pavements, bridges, and tarmacs to melt the ice or snow on the surface.
Since salt stains are something you can’t avoid during winter, it’s best to learn how to get rid of them efficiently and like a pro.
When should you remove a salt stain?
Professional cleaners advise to do it when the stain is still fresh. Don’t wait until a stain appears! After being outdoors and walking around in slush, give your footwear a quick clean and wash your clothes when you get home.
Deicing agents usually contain sodium chloride (salt), magnesium carbonate, and calcium carbonate. When these seep into leather or fabrics, these materials can weaken and disintegrate. This is because the longer you leave salt stains on your leather shoes or boots, clothing, and carpets, the bigger the damage they cause.
Luckily, with the help of tools you usually have lying around at home, you can quickly get rid of salt stains.
Salt stains aren’t too pretty to look at, and you wouldn’t want unsightly spots on your carpets, especially when you are welcoming guests to your home or customers in your office or shop.
For tougher salt stains, repeat the spray and dab process. However, if it seems like the extent of the damage is too big, it’s best to call our team of professional cleaners.
In case of stubborn salt stains on clothes, use a mixture of 1-quart water, one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar, and a clean rag to dampen the stained area. Then you should use a dry cloth and gently dab on the spot, after which you should wash your stained garments following the necessary care instructions.
If you aren’t sure how extensive the salt stain damages are to your carpets, shoes, or clothes or are hesitant to touch the stains because you are dealing with a particularly expensive or sensitive type of fabric or material, call on the experts to avoid unnecessary headaches.
