How to Get Salt Stains Out of Shoes, According to an Expert

Winter tends to wreak havoc on every facet of our lives, serving up everything from cold-weather skin woes to bouts of blues to work-wear fashion dilemmas. One other (often overlooked but unpleasant, nevertheless) side effect of winter? Those irritating salt stains on boots. The white marks tend to creep up slowly and then plague us all season long.

However, we've decided to address the issue once and for all by calling on expert David Mesquita, who gave us the lowdown on taking care of your winter footwear.

Meet Our Expert

David Mesquita is vice president and co-owner of Leather Spa in New York City.

From his best shoe-cleaning tips to advice on which products will preserve the life of your shoes, keep scrolling for our expert-approved guide to getting salt stains out of shoes, stat.

Address the Stain ASAP

"Salt harms the composition of your shoe, especially for very delicate soft [leather] skins, like calf or kid skin," Mesquita said. "It's like any stain you spill — the longer you wait, the further it penetrates, and the harder it will be to remove over time."

Related: The 12 Best Snow Boots for a Cozy Winter

Identify the Shoe's Material

Your method of stain removal will depend on the material your shoe is made out of. That's because you won't treat leather shoes the same way as suede or fabric. For instance, many canvas shoes are machine-washable and can be thrown in like laundry (just make sure to use a mesh bag and the gentle cycle). However, you would never put leather or suede in the laundry machine. Doing so would seriously damage your shoes. If you're unsure of your shoe's material, check the care tag and/or the manufacturer's website for care instructions.

Apply a Vinegar Treatment

When removing stains from leather shoes, you only need vinegar and water.

"You can also buy salt stain removers from any pharmacy, but white vinegar is an easy at-home remedy," Mesquita told us.

"White vinegar alone will work — just spill some on a paper towel and wipe it on," instructed Mesquita.

You can also use a microfiber towel.

"Vinegar dissolves into the material, breaks up the salt, and lifts the stain right up. Just rub the vinegar solution in until the stain mark goes away," Mesquita added.

Tips

Before applying white vinegar to your shoe, dilute it with water, recommended Mesquita. This will help to lessen the smell.

Use a Brush on Suede

"You might need to use a brush to work the white vinegar into the fibers of suede, which is called nap," explained Mesquita. He recommended using a soft nylon brush like Leather Spa's Suede & Nubuck Brush ($8) versus a metal one.

Mesquita continued, "After it's dry, brush the suede back and forth to bring back the nap."

Related: These 7 Brilliant Tricks Are the Easiest Ways to Clean Suede Shoes

Apply a Leather Cream

"Salt and the vinegar treatment can dry out the leather, which can fade the color and also cause cracks. To help inject moisture and adjust the color that's been faded from water or salt damage, use a pigmented leather cream," explained Mesquita.

Apply the cream once leather shoes (not suede) are dried.

"Like skin, leather has essential oils that help keep it supple," Mesquita shared. "If you prefer that worn-in look, use a neutral cream or a leather conditioner, which doesn't have pigment."

However, to correct severe fading, he advised taking your shoes to a professional.

Finish with Stain Repellent

"To prevent future salt stains, use a water stain repellent spray — and not a waterproof spray," emphasized Mesquita. "Waterproof ones are too strong, and they clog the pores of the leather, which prevents shoes from breathing. Spray a stain repellent eight to 12 inches away from the article and give it two light applications."

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