Salt stains represent something of an inevitability during the colder months of the year. Wherever there’s ice and snow, there’ll be the need for salt to keep things as safe as possible. Which is all well and good, apart from the fact that it has a rather nasty habit of leaving unsightly marks all over everything.
So with this in mind, what follows is a quick overview of a few simple tips and tricks for getting rid of common winter salt stains:
Floors
First up, the very best advice when it comes to salt stains and flooring is to mount the best possible defence. Remove any and all traces of water – even the smallest ones – immediately, in order to prevent salt drying onto the floor in the first place. If you come across dried salt on the floor, avoid stepping in it at all costs as it will act like sandpaper. To remove salt from most hard floors, simply spray with warm water with a drop or two of added vinegar, leave for 60 seconds or so and wipe away.
Cars
Salt can also wreak havoc on cars and make short work of an otherwise attractive paint job. Once again, the best solution is to get rid of salt water and salt build-up as quickly as possible, being extremely careful not to scratch your paint with an aggressive rubbing or wiping technique. In this instance, the best course of action is to give your car in its entirety a comprehensive rinse on a regular basis, using a pressure or automatic car wash.
Clothing
When it comes to clothing, anything that is generally water resistant can be cleaned using a diluted vinegar solution and a clean cloth. For anything that isn’t water-repellent, the best approach is to wait for the salt to dry and then simply remove it using a cheap hairbrush with soft bristles. This is also a great way of getting rid of dried mud and dirt in general, though be sure the area is fully dry before going ahead. And of course, there’s always the option of simply tossing the garment in the washing machine, if it is suitable for machine washing.
Leather
Given the fact that leather can be damaged quite badly by salt, you need to be proactive and get rid of any traces of the stuff as quickly as possible. Once again, you can start by trying out a diluted vinegar solution, though in this instance make it a slightly stronger 50/50 split between water and vinegar. Saddle soap can also be highly effective, when it comes to getting salt stains out of leather.
Suede
Last up, both salt and mud stains can be removed from suede shoes and clothing relatively easily, simply by using neat white vinegar and a cloth for blotting. Apply a liberal amount to the area, before gently blotting the material until dry. After this, it’s simply a case of brushing the area with a soft suede brush to once again raise the fabric and make it look good as new.
For advice and guidance on how to keep your office both safe and clean throughout the winter months, contact a member of our expert cleaning team on 0161 491 4477.