How to Clean Salt Stains Off Leather

Keep your leather free of salt stains with a homemade cleaner.

During the winter, leather shoes and clothing are extremely susceptible to salt stains due to salt on the roads. Over time, salt can permanently damage both the appearance and texture of leather. For this reason, it is important to clean any salt stains as soon as possible. It can be tricky to clean leather as improper techniques can damage the surface. However, if you have the right ingredients and know how to use them, you can successfully remove salt stains and restore the clean appearance of your leather.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• White vinegar
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Soft washcloth

Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup water and 1 tbsp white vinegar in a bowl. Stir the water and vinegar with a spoon to mix them together.

2. Dip a soft washcloth in the mixture. Wring the washcloth out so it is still moist but not dripping.

3. Wipe the salt stains with the saturated washcloth.

4. Let the leather air dry. Examine the leather to ensure the salt stain is completely removed. If the stain is still visible, wipe it with the the vinegar mixture again.

References

• GQ: Removing Salt Stains