4 proven methods to remove road salt stains from shoes

Forewarned is always insured, or a few words on how to prevent road salt stains

Are you wondering why unsightly stains appear on your shoes in winter? Road salt that is sprinkled on surfaces is absorbed by the upper of the shoe. When the moisture evaporates, a non-contiguous white spot appears before your eyes. 

To prevent this, be sure to impregnate your shoes before first use. This will create a hydrophobic layer and prevent salt from penetrating into the upper of the shoe. So you can be sure that your new purchase will be much less exposed to the negative effects of external factors and will serve you much longer!

Don't forget to use a water- and stain-resistant preparation. This way, you will save time on removing salt stains, and your shoes will look great for seasons to come.

How to prepare shoes for cleaning?

Have you forgotten about impregnation and unsightly road salt stains have appeared on your shoes? Head's up! We know how to deal with this and we are happy to share this knowledge!

However, before you proceed, wipe off the salt residue as much as possible. For this purpose, use a damp cloth with a relatively soft texture. It will be best if you use warm water. If you prefer to dry clean your shoes, use a soft bristle brush to help get rid of the salt.

Time is your ally!

Remember that time matters! Road salt is rich in a variety of chemicals and stains caused by it can be harmful to your shoes and cause permanent discoloration. In particular, this applies to soft uppers made of natural materials, e.g. delicate calfskin.

Act as quickly as possible and under no circumstances leave salted shoes for later, because dealing with this problem will be much more difficult. Then follow the proven home remedies we've covered in this guide.

Kitchen helpers in the fight against salt stains

If water alone doesn't help, you'll need the help of kitchen helpers. Vinegar and dish soap are products you definitely have!

Mix vinegar with water in equal proportions and using a white cloth, wipe an inconspicuous place on the upper. If no discoloration has occurred, you can proceed. Vigorously wipe salt stains until they are completely removed. You can use a soft brush to enhance the effect of the vinegar. Then use a damp cloth to easily remove any vinegar residue. 

Attention! The combination of salt and vinegar can cause the leather material to fade and even crack. To prevent this, after completing this process, simply apply a conditioner dedicated to this material to your shoes, which will help you maintain elasticity and bring out the color, and your shoes will look like new.

However, the vinegar method will not work for suede shoes. In this case, we recommend replacing vinegar dishwashing liquid. Follow the same steps to get stunning results.

To speed up the drying process of the upper and maintain the perfect shape of the shoes, fill the inside with old newspapers. Under no circumstances should you leave your shoes near the heater. The effects may be opposite to those intended!

School equipment as a last resort

To remove road salt stains from shoes, you will need something that is in every student's pencil case - eraser. This product will effectively help you deal with the problem of white spots appearing on your suede shoes. Simply wipe the salty areas and shake off any eraser residue. See how simple it is? 

To make your suede shoes look as good as before, brush them thoroughly using a special suede brush. Alternatively, you can use an old toothbrush.=

If you haven't managed to get rid of stubborn road salt stains, you don't have to part with your favorite pair of shoes. The only thing you need is marker. If you are dealing with black leather shoes, the effects will be amazing! 

To restore the former black, paint over the remains of road salt with a marker. Make sure you use a waterproof product for long-lasting results. Repeat this process as needed!

A side effect of the magical winter

Road salt stains on shoes are an unpleasant side effect of a magical winter. Although sprinkling it on roads and sidewalks effectively protects you from falling, it certainly gets on your nerves. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be this way! If you know proven tricks, you can easily get rid of unsightly white stains from your favorite shoes. Good luck!