Learning how to get rock salt stains out of carpet is surprisingly easy, and we’ve crafted this guide to give you all the tools required to get the job done.
The easiest way to remove rock salt from carpet is to spray the affected area with a solution of vinegar and water, as the acetic acid in the vinegar will dissolve the salt entirely. This process can be repeated if the stain is still present afterwards to fully remove it.
Keep reading to find out the detailed steps for removing rock salt stains, as well as some tips you can use to lower the chances of getting the stains in the future.
Removing Rock Salt Stains From Carpet: Step-By-Step
Let’s jump straight into the steps you need to follow to remove rock salt stains from your carpet easily and efficiently.
Mix The Solution In A Spray Bottle
Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
We recommend using a spray bottle as it makes the application easier, and you will be able to achieve a more even distribution this way – but if you don’t have one on hand you can use a bowl or container with a cloth.
Test The Solution First
Arguably the most important step of the whole process is to test the vinegar and water solution on a small area of your carpet at first to test for damage.
Some carpets can react badly to vinegar, although this is not very common, it’s worth testing just to make sure. Leave the solution in the test area for 10 to 15 minutes to assess any damage.
If the solution has no effect you can move on to the next stage, but don’t forget to clean up the test area by following the instructions in the last step.
Vacuum The Area To Remove Large Pieces Of Salt
You can now begin cleaning the affected area. The first step of which is to vacuum thoroughly to pick up any loose pieces of salt.
We recommend suction-only vacuuming for this step or using a vacuum with a gentle brush, as you don’t want to catch grains of salt in the brush as they can cause damage to fibres.
Apply The Solution And Wait For 10-15 Minutes
Once vacuumed you can spray the solution generously over the area and leave it for 1o to 15 minutes.
If using a cloth simply wring it out over the area, making sure not to scrub the area.
Remove The Solution By Dabbing With A Clean Cloth Or Rag
After the time is up you can clean up the area by dabbing gently with a clean cloth or rag. We recommend dabbing because you may have to repeat the process a couple of times, and if there is still some undissolved salt you could damage your carpet by scrubbing rather than dabbing.
If there is still a rock salt stain present, simply repeat this cleaning process. Some stubborn stains can take longer to remove, but they will come out eventually.
Tips For Preventing Rock Salt On Carpet
An easy way to not have to deal with rock salt stains is to prevent the salt from getting into the house in the first place.
Remove Shoes And Use A Shoe Rack
A simple trick to reduce the amount of rock salt in your house is to use a shoe rack and take off your shoes as soon as you get inside.
You can also use a doormat to wipe off your shoes as an extra precaution.
Keep The Driveway And Areas Near To Doors Clear
Rock salt is great for keeping driveways and areas near to doors snow and ice-free, but it is in these areas where you will pick up rock salt and bring it into the house unknowingly.
We recommend using a minimal amount of rock salt where possible near entrances and driveways by limiting the amount you absolutely need. As long as there arent large deposits of salt built up in these areas you will reduce the amount of salt entering the home.
Can Rock Salt Damage Carpet?
Rock salt can cause damage to carpets in a few different ways.
The most common type of damage is physical damage to individual fibres, caused by the sharp edges of individual salt grains. If you press the rock salt into the carpet accidentally by walking over it you can exert pressure which can cause fibres to get damaged and cut, which can lead to carpet fuzzing and shedding.
Rock salt is also very rarely clean and can contain a host of other things from the outside such as dirt, mud and other debris that can lead to staining as well.
Luckily, by using our method above you will remove other stains while you’re cleaning the rock salt so this shouldn’t be too much of an issue, but in some cases where mud is involved, you may need to use a dishwashing detergent solution instead.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have a good understanding of not only how to remove rock salt stains from carpets, but also how to prevent them in the first place.
If you have tried any other methods and had success then please let us know!