Salting frozen paths throughout the winter months is a common approach to make them safer. Calcium and magnesium carbonate, which are found in the salt used to melt ice on sidewalks and streets, can create white stains on shoes and boots that are frequently permanent. For this reason, it’s critical to remove salt stains from leather, suede, and fabric shoes as soon as possible.
Read also: Best Ways To Use Oxygen Bleach To Clean Your Home
What to Consider
Knowing what kind of material your shoes are constructed of is crucial before attempting to remove salt stains. Are they composed of canvas, wool, suede, nubuck, nubuck, real leather, or synthetic “leather”? Can the shoes be washed in a machine?
Spend some time on the manufacturer’s website if you are unsure and the shoe does not have a care tag inside. Most include shoe maintenance tips to make your shoes look better and last longer.
How to Remove Salt Stains on Suede, Sheepskin, or Nubuck Shoes
Clean the boots or shoes
Use a suede shoe brush or an old, soft toothbrush to gently brush away loose debris and salt particles from suede, sheepskin (UGGS), or nubuck shoes. Make an effort to follow the suede’s grain.
Combine a Cleaning Agent
Combine one cup of water and half a cup of vinegar in a small basin. Use the solution to soak a microfiber cloth free of lint, then squeeze the cloth until it stops pouring. You can also follow the product’s instructions and use a commercial suede leather cleaner.
Take Care of the Salt Stains
- The visible white stains from salt or other ice melt materials can be carefully removed with a moist towel.
- As the stain spreads, keep going to a fresh spot on the fabric.
- To avoid the shoes shrinking and being permanently stained, take care not to soak them.
- Other spots that exhibit dirt or other stains can be cleaned using the same towel.
Use a brush and let it air-dry
- After the stains have been removed, use the suede brush to softly brush the shoes or boots’ surface, following the leather’s nap.
- Keep the shoes out of direct heat and sunlight to let them air dry.
- To help them maintain their shape, use shoe trees or tissue paper.
How To Remove Salt Stains From Leather Boots and Shoes
Use a solution of vinegar and water
- Combine one cup of chilled water with one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. Wipe the salt-stained areas with a cotton ball that has been soaked in the mixture and slightly wrung off.
- Because the salt stains are transmitted to the cotton, use a new, moist cotton ball.
- Avoid soaking the leather in the mixture.
Allow the shoes to air-dry
To avoid excessive leather wrinkling, let the shoes air-dry away from direct heat. The boots and shoes ought to dry for at least 24 hours or overnight.
Buff the Leather
Use a fresh, dry microfiber cloth to buff the whole shoe or boot-upper after the leather has dried. Use a shoe conditioning product to make the boots or shoes more waterproof if you’d like. To see how a substance changes the leather’s color, test it on a tiny interior space.
How to Remove Salt Stains on Fabric Shoes
Examine the label for care
To find out if the shoes are machine washable or require hand cleaning, consult the care label or the manufacturer’s website. Canvas and wool sneakers are among the many types of fabric shoes that can be carefully machine-washed.
Treat the salt stains first
In a small bowl, combine one cup of cool water and half a cup of vinegar. After soaking a microfiber cloth in the solution, squeeze it until it stops dripping. Clean the cloth of any traces of salt stains.
Clean your shoes
- Before throwing the shoes in the washing with other shoes of the same color and fabric, put them in a mesh delicates bag if they are machine-washable. Use your usual laundry detergent, cool water, and the soft cycle.
- After removing the salt stains using a microfiber cloth moistened with ordinary water, “rinse” the shoes by removing any leftover residue if the shoes cannot be machine-washed.
Let the shoe air-dry
- The shoes should be taken out of the mesh laundry bag.
- The shoes shouldn’t be put in an automated drier. Some glues may disintegrate due to the high heat.
- Keep the shoes out of direct heat and let them air dry.
Read also: Cleaning Tips For Different Types Of Stone Countertops