How to Remove Salt Stains From Shoes, Clothes, and Carpet

Before You Begin

Before washing a garment with a salt stain, check the care instructions to make sure it is washable. If the garment must be dry cleaned, take it to your dry cleaner or use a home dry cleaning kit. If you use a kit, dampen the salt-stained area with a light mist of water and blot away as much moisture as possible. If the stain remains, treat it with the stain removal product provided in the kit before tossing the item in the dryer.

How to Remove Salt Stains on Leather Shoes and Boots

1. Wipe With Vinegar

   Mix 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar with 1 cup of cool water. Soak a cotton ball with the mixture, and wipe it over the salt stains on the shoes. Be careful not to saturate the shoes if they are sheepskin (such as UGGs), as this can lead to shrinkage and permanent staining.

2. Let the Shoes Dry

   Allow the shoes to air-dry away from direct heat; this is particularly important for sheepskin boots. Real leather and sheepskin shoes and boots might need to dry overnight or for up to 24 hours.

3. Buff the Leather

   Buff the entire shoe or boot upper with a clean, dry cloth. If desired, you can treat the shoes or boots with a shoe conditioning product to make them more waterproof. Be sure to test any product on a small interior area to see how it affects the color of the leather.

If the stain is still visible after the initial treatment, repeat the same process. For persistent stains on suede shoes, try a suede and nubuck cleaner, and finish by brushing the suede finish with a soft-bristled brush designed specifically for suede.

How to Remove Salt Stains From Washable Clothes

1. Rinse or Soak the Area

   Rinse the salt-stained area in cold water as soon as possible. If the salt has dried and stains have set in, brush off the salt as much as possible. Then soak the garment overnight in cool water.

2. Wash as Usual

   Launder the garment as usual, following the care label instructions. Use your regular detergent and cool water.

If traces of salt remain on the clothes, try a solution of 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1 quart of water. Dampen a clean cloth with the solution. Then blot the stain with the dampened cloth, followed by a dry cloth. Wash the garment again as you normally would.

How to Remove Salt Stains From Home and Car Carpet

1. Vacuum the Stain

   Vacuum the stained area of the carpet or floor mat to remove any dry, loose pieces of salt.

2. Spray With a Vinegar Solution

   Mix a 1-to-1 solution of hot water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the stain, being careful not to saturate the area. Allow the solution to work for at least five minutes, and then blot it dry with a paper towel. You can also use a wet vac to remove the moisture.

3. Let the Carpet Dry

   Allow the area to air-dry completely. Vacuum to lift the fibers and restore the carpet's loft.

If any stains remain, mix a solution of 2 teaspoons liquid dishwashing detergent and 2 cups of cool water. Dip a sponge or soft-bristled brush into the solution. Start at the outside edge of the stain, and work the cleaning solution into the stained area. Blot with a clean white cloth or paper towel to transfer the stain out of the carpet. Keep moving to a clean, dry area of the cloth until no more stain is transferred.

Dip a clean white cloth into some plain water, and use it to rinse the area. It is particularly important to rinse away any cleaning solution that can attract soil to the area. Blot until no more soapy residue remains. Allow to air-dry, and then vacuum.