Road salt is helpful in melting slow and preventing dangerous slips on the ice, but it can easily stick to carpet and clothing when you head indoors. While stain removal products are readily available at any supermarket or home improvement store, these items can be costly, and many times contain chemical ingredients that are harmful to ourselves and our loved ones.
Carpet Stains From Road Salt
If you deal with the road salt quickly, you can quickly remove it from carpets without causing damage or discoloroation. First, vacuum thouroughly to pick up as much of the road salt as possible. Next, fill a spray bottle with a solution of one part cold water, one part vinegar. Stir a bit to combine the ingredients, and spray over the affected area of carpeting. Let this solution absorb for 15 to 20 minutes, Then use a damp sponge to blot away the excess solution. Let dry, then vacuum once more to collect any leftover residue.
Clothing Stains From Road Salt
Clothing stains most commonly occur on your pants, where road salt and plowed snow easily come in contact with these garments as you walk. Most road salt stains come out of clothing with a normal laundering, if washed within 24 hours of the stain. Built-in stains may require a bit more work. In this case, use a small basin to mix 2 gallons of water to 1 cup of white vinegar (increase these measurements if the stated amounts are not enough to fully submerge the garment). Let soak for an hour, then launder as usual.
Shoe Stains From Road Salt
Shoes receive the brunt of damage from road salt, as simply walking on a freshly salted sidewalk can easily stain an entire pair of shoes. Read the care instructions on the inside of the shoe. If they are machine washable, wash on a cold water cycle and let air dry to best preserve the quality of the shoes. If shoes cannot be machine washed, mix a small solution of 2 cups of cold water and 1/4 cup white vinegar. Soak a rag in this solution, and rub over the road salt stains. Let dry, then protect the shoes with a conditioning treatment, as road salt can dry out shoes, which leads to cracking and discoloration.
Tags: road, salt, stain, removal, road salt, cold water, From Road, From Road Salt, Stains From, Stains From Road
