Removing Salt Stains from Suede Boots

When the sidewalks are icy and salt gets put down, it's easy to get salt stains on suede boots. This is a guide about removing salt stains from suede boots.

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Salt Stains on Suede Boots

How do I use a home remedy to clean salt from suede shoes?

By Dahlia from Philadelphia, PA

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Most Recent Answer

By Anonymous02/04/2011

I just use an old soft bristled toothbrush to remove as much of the salt residue as possible, wipe with a damp rag, then lightly rough the suede up with the toothbrush again and allow to dry. I've had my snow boots for 19 years (16 winters of which were worn in highly salted Michigan instead of the sand used here in Washington State where I live now) and they still look almost new.

Cleaning Salt Off of Suede Boots

How can I successfully clean my suede boot that has salt stains around the toe and heel?

By Regina M.

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Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

I have salt stains on a pair of my favorite black suede boots. How do I go about restoring them? I thought that I could get them dyed black and it would cover the stains? Any suggestions? - Renee

RE: Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

I use a rag soaked in vinegar, dab it on the salt stain. It may take several applications. When the boot is dry, I then steam the boot over a pan of boiling water while brushing the suede with a wire brush. Boot comes out looking like new. Just be careful not to burn yourself. There is a product called Suede Renew which can be applied when the boot is clean and dry. (02/03/2005)

By Denise

RE: Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

I used hairspray, I sprayed two coats and rinsed with water. It seemed to work for my stained black suede boots. I think this is a nicer method,because I hate the smell of vinegar. (10/01/2007)

By AR

RE: Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

White vinegar makes your boots smell funny. I tried it once and the smell was horrible. So if you have a little money to spare, you can buy a product at UGG, its a shampoo for suede boots and it costs like 15$. Just follow the instructions on the back and it works really well. Putting your boots over steam, after cleaning, and brushing them with a wire brush in one direction works well also. If you wanna avoid getting salt stains, get a stain and water repellent for suede and apply it on dry, clean boots and let them sit overnight. Reapply once a week and that should work well. If you can't buy the UGG product, use white vinegar but don't get frustrated if it doesn't work the first time because that's usually the case. You should usually dilute 1/2 cup vinegar in 1/2 cup warm water. Dealing with salt stains right away is always better than waiting until the salt has already sunk into the suede because that makes it harder to remove.(02/17/2008)

By Naomi

RE: Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

Yeah, it really helps if you use a rotating toothbrush with vinegar. (01/07/2009)

RE: Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

This works really well. I just cleaned my boots using a nail brush instead of a rag because I found that the rag removes some of the boot's dye. So use a nail brush, but don't brush too hard. Also, use a little more vinegar than water when diluting the solution. Just let the vinegar dry, apply again if the stains are still there, then once the boots are completely dry, apply a suede protector to prevent more salt stains.

(01/20/2009)

By Kathy

RE: Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

I tried a 50/50 vinegar and water solution on my suede boots earlier this week and it took out the salt stains, but also some of the dye. They are much lighter in the toe area now, which doesn't look great, but maybe it's better than the salt-encrusted rings I had before. (01/22/2009)

By Karen

RE: Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

Scrub surface of boots with toothbrush when dry to remove as much salt as possible, use a circular motion. Then bring to a boil a pot of water over the stove. Hold boots above the steam from the pot and dip toothbrush in vinegar/water solution. Apply and scrub salt spots on boots. Stuff the boot as much as possible when drying to get the shape back. Don't dry close to heat, only naturally. I used this method on my $350.00 UGG Knightbridge boots and it works amazingly well. (01/24/2009)

By Angel_Undercova

Salt Stains on Suede Boots

How do I get salt out of faux suede boots? I have flat black boots that got stained by street salt, the kind used to melt the snow. Now the boots have white stains. What can I do?

Sofia

RE: Salt Stains on Black Suede Boots

I'd say let them dry, then brush off with a shoe brush. Then if the stains are still there, dab or carefully wipe with a damp cloth. Let dry and brush again. I'm sure there are also suede care products out there. The boots I used to own came with a packet of something like Scotch-gard. (01/28/2009)

By JustPlainJo

Salt Stains on Suede Boots

How do I remove snow salt from suede boots?

By Susan from Denver, CO

RE: Salt Stains on Suede Boots

Read 'JustPlainJo's' advice in the archives below and you should be good to go ;-) (12/14/2009)

By Deeli

RE: Salt Stains on Suede Boots

Has anyone ever used a mixture of alum to also clean salt stains? (01/09/2010)

By chstellhorn

Salt Stains on Suede Boots

I need advice for cleaning salt stains off suede boots.

By Gail from Revere, MA

RE: Salt Stains on Suede Boots

Take a toothbrush, of course not one you'll use again. Rub vigorously to remove the salt buildup, then lightly apply some water on a rag and then rub with toothbrush again to rough up the suede and allow to dry. (12/27/2010)

By Deeli

RE: Salt Stains on Suede Boots

Vinegar works just fine, I use it all the time and the smell goes away quickly. If anyone says it doesn't they don't know what they're talking about. (12/27/2010)

By monetgardening