How to remove salt from suede shoes

Suede shoes look great, but the salt that is scattered on the snow on the streets leaves large, easily visible stains on them. To avoid such a situation, preventive measures should be taken. If stains have already formed, you need to use stain removers.

Why do white stains appear on suede boots?

Suede is a natural material with a high level of velvety, softness and tenderness. It is made from the skin of large animals using tanning technology. The product is used to produce boots that are lightweight, comfortable and practical.

To protect passers-by from falls and slips, roads are sprinkled with reagents in winter, usually salt with additives. But such a product performs not only a useful function. This chemical compound is quite aggressive. It significantly destroys suede shoes, hence the white spots.

Boots or ankle boots made of suede require special care to maintain their original appearance.

How to remove salt from suede shoes

What should be done to remove traces of salt stains from suede shoes, which are sprinkled on the street in winter? Every person at home is sure to have potatoes, vinegar essence, table salt, and half-eaten bread. The tools needed are brushes, flannel, and other devices usually used to clean surfaces from dirt. You can clean your shoes from salt yourself, without involving professionals. It will be much cheaper, and at times more effective.

Special means

Crepe, metal and double-sided brushes. Salt particles embedded in the skin can be easily removed with special brushes; you can buy them at any shoe store.

Aerosol Kaps de Salte. Spray for cleaning suede boots from salt stains. It is applied to the contaminated surface not too intensively. Removes stains well. It is small in size, so you can take it with you.

Salamander Combi Proper spray. This is a universal foam cleaner with a capacity of 125 ml, designed for thorough care of leather, including suede products. Effectively removes stains.

Universal foam Organics Sports. This is a universal product in a practical half-liter plastic spray bottle. It is designed for cleaning sports shoes, but is also suitable for suede.

Instructions for use

Read the instructions for use carefully so as not to damage the suede covering. Carefully apply the cleaner to your shoes, using personal protective equipment. Remove any remaining cleaner with a microfiber cloth.

Before starting any manipulations, be sure to dry your shoes.

It should be remembered that suede shoes cannot be dried on radiators, using a fan heater, hair dryer or other heating equipment.

8 handy salt removers

Alcohol with vinegar. Ordinary methyl alcohol of any concentration should be mixed with table vinegar, wet a flannel cloth and, without pressing, clean the area where the stain has formed.

The main thing is not to overdo it, as these substances are quite aggressive. After work, dry the boots.

Dentifrice. Contains substances intended for cleaning difficult surfaces. To use it you will need a brush. You need to rub the powder into the salt stain.

Soap with ammonia and vinegar. Shoes are pre-cleaned with a brush. Mix one spoon of liquid soap and half a spoon of ammonia in a glass. After this, the solution is foamed and the areas affected by salt are wiped. Upon completion of the procedure, let the boots dry, after which it is necessary to wash off the resulting film. The next stage of processing will be the use of acetic acid. You need to wet the flannel cloth a little and wipe the area that was cleaned of stains.

Lemon. The application technology is simple. Use a slice of lemon to wipe the stained area and let it soak. Lemon juice contains substances that easily remove salt stains.

Steam. If you hold contaminated shoes over water vapor for some time, stains on the surface of the suede will be removed without the slightest problem.

Be careful, because the steam can burn the skin of your hands!

Rye bread crust. A loaf of black bread can be useful for small, barely noticeable stains on suede shoes. It is enough to rub the crust into small crumbs and sprinkle the area where the stain has formed. A regular eraser is also used for this purpose. But if the salt is deeply ingrained, then you will have to look for more drastic remedies.

Potato. A raw potato cut in half is also an excellent way to remove stains from suede. Problem areas are simply rubbed with half a potato.

Petrol Use with caution when cleaning suede shoes. This is a strong solvent; if you use too much of it to wipe, you can simply dissolve the paint.

How to avoid salt stains on shoes in the future?

The best remedy for problems is prevention, and suede shoes, that is, their safety, are no exception.

To ensure that suede boots last longer, you need to take appropriate measures. These include the use of products specially designed for cleaning, water-repellent impregnations, regular drying and cleaning, an attempt to avoid puddles and other places dangerous for shoes. You should not wear suede in rainy weather, and in cold weather you need special protective equipment.