How to Remove Salt Stains from Shoes

Don't put off this easy cleaning job to avoid permanent damage to your favorite winter shoes.

Rock salt and ice melt, typically a blend of sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride, are used to melt ice on streets and sidewalks, making them safer to traverse. Unfortunately, road salt causes ugly white-ringed stains on shoes that not only look unsightly but are also drying. This salt is especially damaging to leather, as the material will crack when it's sapped of moisture.

Fortunately, removing salt stains from shoes is an easy task that doesn't require specialty cleaning products. It is, however, best not to delay the job of removing road salt from shoes, as long-term exposure can lead to permanent damage to the shoes. Ahead, you'll find instructions for removing salt stains from leather, suede, and rubber shoes.

How to Remove Salt Stains from Leather Shoes

Removing salt stains from leather shoes is a simple task, and one that shouldn't be put off. Salt is highly drying, so allowing salt stains to linger can cause permanent damage, leaving leather shoes dull, dry, and cracked.

What You Need

• White vinegar

• Soft cloth

• Small bowl

• Leather conditioner (optional)

Step 1: Prepare Vinegar Solution

In a small bowl, dilute white vinegar with equal parts water, leaving enough space to dip a rag. A scant quarter cup of each is more than enough to clean one to three pairs of salt-stained shoes; double the amount if cleaning more than three pairs of shoes.

Step 2: Dampen Cloth

Dip the cloth in the vinegar solution and wring it out so that it is damp but not dripping wet.

Step 3: Buff Out Stains

Working vigorously, buff the salt stains out of the leather. Dip the rag in the vinegar solution to rewet it as needed.

Step 4: Remove Vinegar

After buffing out the salt stains, rinse the rag with clean water and go over the shoe several times to remove residue from the vinegar. As with the vinegar solution, the rag should be damp but not dripping wet.

Step 5: Apply Leather Conditioner (optional)

This step is optional but recommended. After cleaning your leather shoes, apply a thin coating of leather conditioner to the shoe. Leather conditioner will help to restore moisture that both the salt and the vinegar can leach out, causing the shoe leather to become dry and crack.

How to Remove Salt Stains from Suede Shoes

Suede is a temperamental material, but cleaning suede shoes is surprisingly easy. These instructions apply to all types of suede shoes, including sneakers, as well as suede accessories.

What You Need

• Suede brush or old toothbrush

• White vinegar

• Soft cloth

• Small bowl

Step 1: Brush the Suede

Using an old toothbrush or a suede brush, gently brush the suede to remove loose salt and dirt.

Step 2: Prepare Vinegar Solution

In a small bowl, dilute white vinegar with equal parts water. There should be enough room to dip a rag, A scant quarter cup of each is more than enough to clean one to three pairs of salt-stained shoes; double the amount if cleaning more than three pairs of suede shoes.

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Step 3: Dampen Cloth

Dip the cloth in the vinegar solution and wring it out so that it is damp but not dripping wet.

Step 4: Buff Out Stains

Working vigorously, buff the salt stains out of the suede shoes. Dip the rag in the vinegar solution to rewet it as needed.

Step 5: Let Dry and Brush Suede Again

Allow the shoes to dry completely. Once they are dry, use the suede brush or old toothbrush to restore the nap.

How to Remove Salt Stains from Rubber Boots

When caring for rubber boots, it's helpful to know that some can develop what's known as "bloom," powdery white patches that occur naturally on rubber. Some people like the look and choose not to remove it. These cleaning instructions include tips on how to remove blooming, if desired.

What You Need

• White vinegar

• Soft cloth

• Small bowl

• Cooking oil, such as olive oil (optional)

Step 1: Prepare Vinegar Solution

In a small bowl, dilute white vinegar with equal parts water, leaving enough room for a rag. A quarter cup of each is enough to clean one to three pairs of salt-stained boots; double the amount if cleaning more than three pairs of rubber boots.

Step 2: Dampen Cloth

Dip the cloth in the vinegar solution and wring it out so that it's damp but not dripping wet.

Step 3: Buff Out Stains

Working vigorously, buff the salt stains out of the rubber boots. Dip the rag in the vinegar solution to rewet it as needed.

Step 4: Remove Bloom (optional)

To remove bloom—powdery white patches that occur naturally on rubber—apply a small amount of cooking oil, such as olive oil, to a soft cloth. Work the oil into the bloom in a circular motion. Then, using a clean section of the cloth, buff the oil off the rubber.