DIY: Removing Salt Stains from Carpet

Difficulty Level

Tools/Supplies Needed:

• vinegar
• water
• spray bottle
• brush
• cloth
• wet/dry vacuum

Procedure:

• first mix an equal 1:1 mix of warm water and white vinegar in a spray bottle
• you can mix a stronger solution with slightly more vinegar that an equal mix for extreme stains
• shake bottle well to ensure the solution is mixed
• vacuum an access debris on the carpet before spraying the solution on the carpet
• spray the vinegar/water solution onto the salt satins and let it soak for a few minutes
• using a damp cloth and tooth brush, rub the area gently
• do not use a coarse brush as this can damage the fibres in the carpet
• the salt crystals on the carpet fibres will eventually disappear
• you can spray the area down once again with the vinegar/water solution to ensure all the salt is dissolved
• using a wet/dry vacuum, vacuum up all the moisture in the carpet
• leave the windows or doors open for a day to allow to area to dry sufficiently
• if you do not like the smell, then using a carpet shampoo can be done at the end

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

For extreme stains, can I use a stronger mixture of vinegar?

Yes you can.

Will the vinegar damage or bleach my carpet?

No it will not, but if you slightly hesitant, then I would recommend trying it on a small hidden area first.

Video tutorial on how to clean the salt satins from your vehicle's carpet without any fancy equipment or chemicals. Salt stains usually occur during the winter months when you have slush on your shoes which falls off in your vehicle's interior. Once the slush melts, it soaks into the carpet, then the moisture evaporates leaving the salt crystals behind. There is no need to buy any expensive chemicals, equipment, or even having to pay a professional. The smell of the vinegar will dissipate over the next couple days and then totally disappear. This particular tutorial was done on a 1996 Volvo 850.