How to Remove Salt Stains from Carpet

Carpet salt stains are a common problem in northern climates where deicing salts are used to treat sidewalks, driveways, and streets in the winter. This makes it easy to track deicers into your car and home. If you own a local business, your customers may track in high amounts of salt, which can ruin your carpeting.

Don’t be salty! Follow these do-it-yourself salt stain removal tips to restore your carpet to its former glory.

Natural Salt Stain Removal

If you want to keep things chemical-free, try this technique for removing salt stains with nothing more than vinegar and warm water:

In a spray bottle, bowl, or bucket, mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. The smell of vinegar isn’t very appealing, but it’s a powerful natural cleaning agent. If you don’t have vinegar on hand, you can also use dishwashing detergent, but this may not be as effective.

Spray the solution onto the stain. If you’re using a bowl or bucket, pour a small amount onto the area. Lightly scrub the stain with a small brush or agitate the carpet fibers with your fingers. The goal here is to stir up the salt, not embed it deeper into the carpet.

Blot the stain with a clean, dry rag. Dab rather than scrub to absorb the salty stain. Use different sections of the cloth to dry the stained area as much as possible. If you have a wet-dry vacuum, use it to suck up the salt stain. This is satisfying to watch and quite useful for removing the smell, too.

If the stain lingers, repeat as many times as needed. Salt can be stubborn, but there’s no reason why this vinegar cleaning method shouldn’t work.

Let it air dry. The smell of vinegar can be off-putting, so open your windows or run a fan to help the area dry faster. Once it’s completely dry, the smell should disappear along with the stain.

Products Designed to Remove Road Salt

With a few applications, vinegar and warm water should be completely effective against road salt carpet stains. However, if you have a particularly stubborn spot, try using a carpet shampoo or other cleaner designed specifically to remove salt.

Follow the directions carefully on the product you select. You can even compare the different instructions on various products to help you choose a cleaner that suits your needs best. For instance, if one product warns against use around pets or children, you may want to avoid it if you have any animals or young kids living in your home.

Let Molly Maid Help You Get Cleaned Up

If you are spending too much time getting rid of salt stains in your carpet, one idea to give yourself the gift of time is to hire a professional house cleaning service — Molly Maid can help! Our team is here to make your home spotless so you can spend more time with your family or pursuing the hobbies you love. With decades of experience, you know you can trust Molly Maid to help you get cleaned up!

For more household cleaning tips, or to learn more about our home cleaning services, please contact your local Molly Maid today!