• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bitz & Giggles
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Holidays
  • DIY & Cleaning
  • Shop
  • About
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Holidays
    • DIY & Cleaning
    • Shop
    • About
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » DIY & Cleaning » Cleaning Tips

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes

    Posted: Feb 20, 2019 · Updated: May 7, 2024 by Sara · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!

    This post may include affiliate links. Please see my disclosure.

    We've had so much snow lately that the salt trucks have been out in full force on the roadways, and every sidewalk and parking lot around town are stained with salt. . .just like my boots and shoes.

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    I wear these boots pretty much every day of the week because they go with everything and they're so easy to slip on. The winter, however, has been wreaking havoc on them.

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    And take a look at the heels!?

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    Uggh. If your shoes or boots look like mine do, I'm pretty sure you're here because you want to find a solution to get them looking polished and new again.

    Well, you're in the right place and, believe it or not, all you're going to need are a couple ingredients to get those salt stains out for good.

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes

    To get your shoes or boots looking like new again, gather these materials and ingredients:

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 tablespoon vinegar
    • Cotton balls
    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    Start by adding the vinegar to the water. Technically, you could use just vinegar but the smell will be very strong and it will last for days. Don't do it. I speak from experience.

    Mixing it with the water will help dilute the vinegar a bit and the scent will be much more subtle.

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    Soak a cotton ball in the solution and start gently dabbing the cotton ball onto the salt stains on your shoes.

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    You'll see the salt start disappearing immediately.

    I set the boots side by side again so you could see the difference after I treated the boot on the right with the vinegar and water mixture.

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    It literally took me just a couple minutes to clean up my boots, and they looked so much better than before.

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes - Step-by-step process on how to remove salt stains from your shoes using two simple ingredients!

    Your best bet is to get the salt removed as quickly as possible so it doesn't have time to "set in." Good luck with those salt stains and please share your results in the comments!

    5 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Shoes - Get the most value out of your footwear especially in harsh weather conditions!
    Print
    No ratings yet

    How to Remove Salt From Shoes

    Author: Sara

    Materials

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 tablespoon vinegar
    • Cotton balls

    Instructions

    • Start by adding the vinegar to the water. Technically, you could use just vinegar but the smell will be very strong and it will last for days. Don't do it. I speak from experience.
    • Mixing it with the water will help dilute the vinegar a bit and the scent will be much more subtle.
    • Soak a cotton ball in the solution and start gently dabbing the cotton ball onto the salt stains on your shoes.
    • You'll see the salt start disappearing immediately.

    Notes

    1. Dilute Vinegar Solution: Combining vinegar with water helps to dilute its strong scent while maintaining its effectiveness in removing salt stains from shoes. This ensures a more pleasant odor during and after the cleaning process.
    2. Gentle Application: Use a gentle dabbing motion with the vinegar solution-soaked cotton ball to avoid damaging the material of your shoes. Patience and care will help effectively lift the salt stains without causing any harm.
    3. Regular Maintenance: To prevent the buildup of salt stains on your shoes, make it a habit to clean them regularly, especially during winter or rainy seasons when salt is commonly used for de-icing. Promptly removing salt residue helps preserve the condition and appearance of your footwear.
    877 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sue Chase

      April 05, 2025 at 3:08 pm

      Can this be used on suede boots also?!

      Reply
      • Sara

        April 08, 2025 at 3:32 pm

        Yes. Always test on a small area of the boot first.

        Reply
    2. J. Ann Neill

      February 19, 2021 at 9:36 am

      Fantastic solutions to real everyday problems. Thank You

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Sara Zenner, blogger at Bitz N Giggles

    welcome!

    Hey, I’m Sara!

     Born and raised in Wisconsin, where family and fun are at the heart of it all - I inherited a deep appreciation for home cooking and family traditions. I’m all about quick and easy recipes, tidying up, and laid back “up north” living.

    Read more!

    Popular Recipes

    • A piece of Poor Man’s Lobster showcasing the flaky, buttery cod fillet served with broccoli and lemon.
      Poor Man's Lobster
    • A green cocktail garnished with pineapple and a cherry.
      Green Hawaiian Cocktail
    • California Blend Vegetable Casserole
    • Air fryer corn on the cob on serving dish with butter.
      Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
    • No Bake Cherry Dump Cake - An easy, no-bake cherry trifle dessert with layers of angel food cake, sour cream, pudding, cherry pie filling and whipped topping.
      No Bake Cherry Dump Cake
    • Pouring caramel sauce over salted caramel kentucky butter cake.
      Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

    Thanksgiving Recipes

    • A heaping plate filled with colorful veggie casserole.
      Veggie Casserole Recipe
    • Piece of apple pie with ice cream on a white plate.
      Sheet Pan Apple Pie
    • A bowl of soup filled with carrots, potatoes and turkey
      Turkey Noodle Soup Recipe
    • side view of a piece of pumpkin pie
      Praline Pumpkin Pie
    • piece of pumpkin poke cake garnished with cinnamon
      Pumpkin Poke Cake
    • stack of stuffing balls on a white platter
      Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls

    Footer

    Featured on:

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    • ↑ back to top
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2025 - As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required