How To Get Salt Stains Out Of Suede Boots
For those on the U.S. East Coast, winter soon will be in full swing. You’ll soon be slogging through winter’s muck and slush, which will include remains of ice melt or rock salt. A lot of people will be wondering how to get salt stains out of suede boots like Uggs, Tims (Timberland boots), and BEARPAWS.
You can get salt stains out of suede boots using pantry ingredients and tools in your home. Products like white vinegar, dish soap, water, and baking soda can all be used to get salt stains out. Once the stains are removed, use NeverWet Fabric or NeverWet Extreme Fabric superhydrophobic spray to help keep them clean throughout the year.
Read further for tips and on how to use pantry ingredients to remove salt stains from suede.
How to Get Rock Salt Stains Out Of Suede
Before starting, use a soft-bristle toothbrush or suede brush to gently stroke away any dirt, which might be naked to the human eye. You want to make sure the suede is free of any tiny particles.
Examine the boots closely so you know all areas that need attention. You’ll likely see evidence of the rock salt, which will appear as a white wavy line across the front of your boots and, perhaps along the bottoms.
Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups water. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth or a new sponge with the vinegar and water mixture.
Carefully blot with moderate pressure the spots on your suede boots that are most obviously showing stains from rock salt or other ice melt products. The blotting cloth should not be saturated. It should only be damp so that it doesn’t leave a stain as well.
Once you’ve worked on the most obvious areas, use small circular motions in all areas that show signs of dirt and other stains. Always keep the cleaning cloth dampened only and never saturated.
Lastly, gently use a clean toothbrush or suede brush to stroke the surface of the boot so the nap of the suede is in a uniform direction. Let your boots air dry.
Spray with NeverWet Fabric or NeverWet Extreme Fabric.
Other Ways to Clean Suede Boots
Another homemade cleaning solution for getting salt off suede boots: 1 cup of water and ½ teaspoon of dish soap. We recommend avoiding blue-colored dish soap, or any dish soap that is dark in color. Clear dish soap is best.
Gently mix the soap into the water. Using a clean microfiber cloth, repeat the steps discussed above.
Once dry, spray NeverWet Fabric or NeverWet Extreme Fabric protectant coating on your boots to prevent future staining.
You also could use baking soda to get salt stains out of your suede boots. Sprinkle baking soda directly onto areas where the rock salt left a stain. Let that sit for an hour or so.
Using a damp toothbrush, gently rub away the salt stains using circular motions. This should form a bit of a paste-like solution as the water meets up with the baking soda. Using a dry cloth, brush away the baking soda mixture. Use a clean toothbrush to gently brush away any remaining mixture. Let your suede boots air-dry.
Further Tips for Caring for Suede Boots
Spray your suede boots with water-repellant spray before and after each season (when they’re clean!). NeverWet Fabric or NeverWet Extreme Fabric spray has superhydrophobic and oleophobic technology, which means it both repels water and carries away dirt. It’s a necessary combination when it comes to protecting your boots from winter’s muck and slush.