Here’s How to Get Salt Stains Out of Your Shoes & Boots

A mentor once told me, “If you take good care of your tools, they’ll take good care of you.”

This wisdom applies beyond tools to clothing as well. For tradespeople, quality clothing and tools are often synonymous. How do you care for your clothing? It depends on the materials. Let’s focus on boot maintenance, specifically removing salt stains from leather.

If you live in a snowy area, salt stains can seem unavoidable. These stubborn stains discolor the upper and make boots appear prematurely aged (not to be confused with patina).

This article will explain how to remove salt stains from boots, a skill I learned while working as a camp guide. Just as a well-maintained hatchet chops logs faster, well-cared-for boots will serve you better and longer.

The Best Way to Remove Salt Stains from Leather Shoes & Boots

When our Editor-in-Chief, Nick English, got salt stains on his beloved Kangaroo leather boots, he took them to a shoeshine guy in the airport who said they were irreparable. No salt stain remover or leather cleaner was going to fix those up. Nick was sad.

But then, David (@Shellvedge) said he has a process that might work for boots. Now a quick disclosure: Nick agreed to do this because he figured these boots were ruined, and different leathers react differently to process, so beware!

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A post shared by David (ShellGuy) (@shellvedge)

Steps to Remove Salt Stains from Leather Boots:

1. Submerge and clean:
   • Give the boots a hot bath.
   • Clean using hydrogen peroxide and dish soap to break down salt and water stains.
   • Ensure the leather is fully submerged and saturated.
2. Dry the boots:
   • Stuff the boots with tissue paper.
   • Let them dry for 12 to 24 hours.
3. Spot clean:
   • Use a small brush to spot clean areas that are more heavily stained.
4. Condition the leather:
   • Apply a high-quality leather conditioner to replenish nutrients in the leather.
   • This prepares the boots for the elements.

Materials needed:

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Dish soap
• Tissue paper
• Small brush
• High-quality leather conditioner (e.g., Pure Polish Products cleaner conditioner)

Remember, this method is somewhat experimental. A professional cobbler might advise against submerging certain types of leather boots. Always consider seeking professional advice for valuable or delicate leather items.

Don’t Remove Salt Stains With Water

It is often a horrific sight and our first instinct would be to clean it with water. This seems logical because salt from our kitchen is easily dissolved by water. However, road salt is chemically different from table salt. 

Table salt is NaCl, a compound that can be evenly spread into a solution (water). Snow salt is that, but with calcium and magnesium carbonate added in. The calcium and magnesium carbonate are the white compounds that stain your shoes. 

Why Vinegar Removes Salt Stains

The hydrogen peroxide + dish soap method that David used on my tortured kangaroo boots is the best method.

But if you don’t have any hydrogen peroxide handy, a less-great-but-still-worth-trying method is to use vinegar.

What we’re trying to do is break down calcium and magnesium carbonates into something that can be dissolved by water. A solvent that can do this is acetic acid. And acetic acid’s diluted form — vinegar — is extremely common. And tasty!

Vinegar (better make it the cheap white stuff instead of fancy balsamic) should break down the white substances into calcium and magnesium acetate, as well as carbon dioxide.

These final products are all water soluble, so if all goes according to plan, water should be able to remove the salt stains with relative ease.

How to Remove Salt Stains With Vinegar

So now that you know the science behind the process, let’s talk about the appropriate steps to actually get the stains out. 

You do not want to use vinegar alone. Although vinegar itself is already diluted, it is still a very strong substance that can dry out any boot. 

For veg-tan or chrome tanned leather shoes/boots, what you need to do is:

1. First, prep the shoe by wiping it down with a damp cloth.
2. Then, dilute vinegar with water and mix evenly. Your mixture should contain 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water.
3. Take a piece of fabric, dip it into the mixture and then rub the salt stain gently.
4. Repeat step 3 until your shoe is stain free.
5. Then give the boot one last wipe with a rag dipped with just water.
6. Finally, wait for the boot to dry completely, overnight if need be, and then use the appropriate conditioner to condition the upper.

How to Remove Salt Stains from Suede Sneakers, Shoes & Boots: Vinegar Solution

For suede shoes/boots, what you need to do is:

1. Brush the shoe/boot with a suede brush or toothbrush to get dirt out.
2. Then, dilute the vinegar with water and mix evenly. Your mixture should contain 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water.
3. Take a piece of fabric, dip it into the mixture and then rub the salt stain gently.
4. Repeat step 3 until you’ve removed as much salt residue as possible.
5. After the shoe is stain-free, remove excess moisture with a dry microfiber cloth or any soft cloth.
6. Wait for the shoe to completely air dry, overnight if needed. You ca stuff with news papers to absorb excess moisture.
7. Then, brush the shoe with a suede brush to give it texture again.
8. If you feel that the cleaning process caused discoloration, you may also purchase a colored protective spray made for suede and give it a coat or two. This should restore it close to its original color.

Do You Need a Cobbler for Salt Stains?

If you are not sure about something, it is best to call your local cobbler. Any cobbler should be able to get the stains out. I don’t think you should not risk damaging your boots if you’re unsure of your abilities or if you think a professional would do the job better than a DIY cleaning solution. 

If you botched the job at home, and think throwing the shoe out is the only solution, then let me tell you that there just might be a saving grace. 

You can have a patina artist paint over the whole shoe! Adding a custom patina should mask any damage and instantly make the shoe look cool as hell. Patina artists, like Greg Park here in New York, these days can practically turn any leather shoe into a work of art. I highly recommend it for any neglected shoe laying around that desperately needs wearing. 

Featured image via back2lifeshoes on Instagra@m

Can I use liquid dish soap to remove salt stains from my boots or shoes?

Yes, you can use liquid dish soap, but there are some things to keep in mind. First, it may damage some materials, especially suede. If in doubt, check with a cobbler. Try the hydrogen peroxide or vinegar methods, only if you’re comfortable with possibly causing damage.