Salt stains are a common problem for faux leather boots. It’s understandable, considering salt is often used to de-ice the sidewalks during the snowy winter seasons. If your boots have become stained with these pesky substances then worry not. I’m here to give you some helpful hacks on how to remove salt stains from your faux leather boots. But first…
What Does Salt Stains Do To Faux Leather Boots?
Before we get into how you can remove salt stains from your faux leather boots, let us take a look at the damage salt can do.
Salt stains can be such a nuisance on faux leather boots due to several reasons. Below are some of the ways salt can damage your boots if you do not have them cleaned promptly;
- Salt Leaves Behind White Residue
When salt is left on faux leather boots it can often leave behind a white residue. This makes the faux leather boots look dirty and old, even if they have just been cleaned.
In most cases, the whitish salt residue or stains will reoccur especially if you do not clean your faux leather boots properly.
This can be very problematic since you will have to clean them more often than usual and they may also end up looking dingy after a while due to the buildup of salt stains.
- Salt Causes Faux Leather Boots To Dull
When salt is allowed to remain on faux leather boots for an extended period, it could cause dullness or discoloration on the boots.
Over time, if the salt is not cleaned off, it could also eat away at the faux leather material and cause your boots to look old and worn out prematurely.
When this happens, you would then have no option but to throw them out if you cannot deal with the old rugged look.
- Salt Can Corrode The Metal Accessories Of The Faux Leather Boots
If your boots have metal accessories, then you should be more worried about how the salt is going to affect them.
Over time, if the salt remains on these items they could cause corrosion and rusting which would make them look worn out and tarnished.
This might also interfere with their functionality since corroding parts can no longer work as they are supposed to.
For example, zippers may not close as smoothly or the buckles might not be as sturdy. This is the more reason why you have to clean salt stains from your faux leather boots as soon as they appear.
- Makes The Boots More Prone To Water Damage
Salt can also make your boots more prone to water damage. When salt is left on a faux leather material for too long, it could cause the faux leather to attract a lot more moisture and humidity.
Salt is a natural absorber, so it would not be surprising if it started absorbing moisture from the air. This can make your boots feel clammy and uncomfortable to wear.
This will lead to serious water damage over time if the boots are not properly cleaned and dried.
- Salt Stains Can Damage The Faux Leather Texture
Last but not least, salt stains can also damage the faux leather texture.
When salt is left on a faux leather surface for too long, it could start to eat away at the material and cause it to become rough and bumpy.
This will make your boots look unsightly and feel uncomfortable to wear. In some cases, if the salt stain is not removed properly it could also cause cracks on the faux leather material.
This is why you should learn how to remove salt stains from your boots as soon as they appear. Otherwise, if left unattended for too long the damage can be irreversible and may even cost you a lot of money in repairs.
How To Remove Salt Stains From Faux Leather Boots
Now that you know all of the dangers salt can cause faux leather boots, it’s time to learn how to remove salt stains from your boots. Here are some tips on how you can achieve this:
1. Using White Vinegar To Remove Salt Stains From Faux Leather Boots
One of the most common ways to remove salt stains from faux leather boots is by using white vinegar.
White vinegar contains acetic acid which is a natural cleaner and degreaser. It can help remove the salt residue or stains from your boots permanently without leaving any marks or residues behind.
Here’s how you can use it:
Things Needed:
- White Vinegar
- Distilled Water
- Microfiber Cloth
- Clean Horse Hair Brush
- Conditioner Or Oil (Such as Coconut Oil)
Procedure:
Step 1: Remove All Loose Salt Stains
- Start by using a rag or brush to remove all of the loose salt stains from your boots.
- Make sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies to remove as much salt as possible.
Step 2: Mix Your Cleaning Solution
- Mix one part white vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle or bowl.
- Make sure to shake or mix the ingredients well before use.
Step 3: Spritz The Cleaning Solution Over The Boots
- Spray the mixture onto the salt-stained areas of your faux leather boots and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
- Since faux leather is a non-porous material, the vinegar will not be able to penetrate into the surface.
- However, it will help loosen up the salt residue and make it easier to clean off.
Step 4: Scrub To Remove The Salt Stains
- With the help of a lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth, begin to scrub the salt stains off.
- You can also use a clean horse hairbrush to help scrub the stained areas harder and clean those hard-to-reach areas.
- You can also use your fingers or any other thing provided they are clean and not sharp.
Step 5: Rinse The Surface Of The Boots
- Once the salt stains are gone, rinse the area with a clean water-damp cloth and allow it to air dry.
Step 5: Slightly Oil The Faux Leather Boots
- Put a few drops of coconut oil on a clean cloth and gently rub it onto the surface of your faux leather boots.
- This will help to condition and protect the surface of your boots.
This will help to prevent salt stains from reoccurring on the surface of the boot.
Step 7: Buff
- Make sure to use a dry clean cloth to buff and remove any excess oil or conditioner from the surface of the faux leather boots.
Step 8: Air-dry
- Finally, leave your boots to air dry for a few hours or overnight.
2. Using Mild Dish Soap & Warm Water To Remove Salt Stains From Faux Leather Boots
Mild dish soap is another thing you can use to remove salt stains from faux leather boots.
It is a gentle and effective cleaner that can remove most dirt, oil, and grease marks as well as salt stains. Here’s how you can use it:
Things Needed:
- Mild Dish Soap
- Warm Water
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1: Remove As Much Of The Loose Salt As Possible
- Do remove as much of the loose salt as possible with a lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth.
- This will make it easier for you to remove the rest when cleaning your faux leather boots using mild dish soap.
Step 2: Put Some Drops Of Mild Dish Soap Into Warm Water
- Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water in a bowl or spray bottle.
- Mix it up until you get a soapy mixture.
Step 3: Dampen And Scrub The Faux Leather Boots
- Dampen your microfiber cloth with the mixture and begin to scrub the salt stains away.
- Make sure to scrub the surface gently while varying your strokes to ensure to remove the stain effectively.
- If it is hard to get the salt stains from your faux leather boots, apply the soap solution over the stained areas and let it sit for about 3-5 minutes, and continue to scrub away.
- Continue scrubbing the salt stains with your microfiber cloth until they are gone.
Step 4: Rinse
- After you finish, rinse off the area with a clean water-damp cloth to remove all the soap residue.
- You want to use clean water for this and make sure to wring out the cloth you’re using from time to time.
Step 5: Dry Clean
- Follow up by using a dry clean cloth to dry off the surface of the faux leather boots.
- Make sure the surface is completely dry before you move on to the next step.
Step 6: Condition
- Apply your regular conditioner over the surface of your faux leather boots.
- This will help to condition the surface and prevent salt stains from reappearing or coming back anytime soon.
- It also protects it against any future damage or wears and tear.
Step 7: Air-dry
- Finally, leave your faux leather boots to air dry.
3. Using Saddle Soap To Remove Salt Stains From Faux Leather Boots
Another great option to clean salt stains from faux leather boots is saddle soap.
It works the same way as the mild dish soap only better. Saddle soap contains more oil and grease-removing properties compared to mild dish detergent.
Here’s how you can use this:
Things Needed:
- Saddle Soap Scrub
- Microfiber Cloth
- Brush (optional)
Procedure:
Step 1: Remove All Loose Salt
- Use a piece of rag or paper towel to remove as much of the loose salt from your faux leather boots as possible.
- This is so that those loose salt particles do not interfere with the cleaning process.
Step 2: Dampen The Boots With Water
- Wet a rag or paper towel with water and begin to dab it onto the surface of your faux leather boots to dampen it.
- This will help loosen up any dirt, oil, and grease on the surface making cleaning easier.
Step 3: Put Some Saddle Soap On Your Scrubbing Brush Or Rag
- Dampen your brush with some water and rub the brush over the saddle soap. You do this if your saddle soap is in solid form.
- Otherwise, for liquid saddle soap, simply put some saddle soap on your brush or rag.
Step 4: Begin To Scrub The Faux Leather Boots
- Scrub the surface of your faux leather boots with the saddle soap-dampened brush or rag.
- Make circular motions and use a fair amount of pressure to help remove the salt stains.
- Continue scrubbing until all salt stains are gone. If needed, let saddle soap sit on stained areas for a few minutes before scrubbing again.
Step 5: Rinse With Clean Water
- After you’re done scrubbing, rinse the boots with clean water.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove all the saddle soap residue.
Step 6: Dry The Boots
- Dab a dry clean rag on your faux leather boots to dry.
- Leave the faux leather boots to air dry once you’re done.
4. Using Suede Eraser To Remove Salt Stains From Faux Leather Boots
The suede eraser is a great option to remove salt stains from faux leather boots. As the name implies, it is a method that involves simply erasing the salt stains just like you would erase pencil markings from a piece of paper.
It is an easy and convenient option for small salt stains or for those who do not want to go through the hassle of using saddle soap, dish detergent, or any other cleaning solutions. Here’s how you can use it:
Things Needed:
- Suede Eraser Or Rubber Eraser
- Rag
Procedure:
Step 1: Clean Out The Loose Salt Residue
- With the help of a rag, clean out any loose salt residue from your faux leather boots.
- This will help make the suede eraser work more effective.
Step 2: Dampen The Area With Water
- Dab a wet rag on the surface of your faux leather boots to dampen them.
- Do this before you start using the suede eraser so that it will be easier to erase the salt stains.
Step 3: Rub The Suede Eraser Against The Salt Stain
- Rub the eraser against the salt stain.
- Do this in gentle circular motions until the salt stain is gone.
- As you erase, use a dry clean rag to dust off the residue.
- If needed, use a bit of pressure while rubbing the eraser against the salt stain.
Step 4: Wipe The Boots And Air-dry
- Once you’re done removing all salt stains, wipe down the surface of your faux leather boots with a dry clean rag.
- Allow them to air-dry for several hours or overnight to fully remove all moisture from the eraser residue.
Final Thoughts
Salt stains can be a real pain, but with these hacks, you’ll be able to remove them from your faux leather boots in no time.
Just make sure to test any methods on an inconspicuous area of your boots first to ensure that they won’t damage the faux leather.
I hope you have found this post helpful. If you did, please share it with your friends on social media and spread the good word! Thank you for reading. Until next time, see ya around!
Frequently Asked Question
Q: How to remove salt stains from Faux leather boots without vinegar?
A: You can use mild dish soap and warm water to easily remove salt stains from faux leather boots. You can also use saddle soap as it contains a cleaning and conditioning agent that can help remove salt stains from your faux leather boots.
