8 Things You Need to Clean After Winter to Prevent Salt Damage

Winter might be officially over, but the white residue that road salt leaves behind can linger indefinitely if not properly removed. Not only do these pesky white stains look unsightly, they can actually cause permanent damage to surfaces if it’s not cleaned in a timely manner.

Salt stains are easily noticeable on large things like cars, but road salt can damage more than just your vehicle. It leaves a residue on most things it comes into contact with, from the door mat by your front door to the winter jacket you wear throughout the season. You can even find traces of road salt on outdoor plants, whether potted or in-ground.

The good news is, there are ways to remove the white residue from greenery, flooring, clothing, and footwear. Some cleaning methods require professional services such as dry cleaning, while others involve homemade stain removers. Here are the eight things you’re going to want to clean at the end of the winter to prevent permanent damage.

1. Door Mats

Door mats come into direct contact with road salt as people come in and out of the house with salt-covered boots. While they are designed to get the salt and other dirt off your shoes, the mats themselves get dirty throughout winter and need to be cleaned at the end of the season. Shake out every door mat including any by the front door, a back door, basement, or garage door. Vacuum the mats to remove any solid pieces and treat with an appropriate stain remover if necessary. If the door mat is too damaged, it may be time to replace it. If you keep a damaged door mat that no longer effectively removes road salt and other dirt from footwear you run the risk of bringing dirt inside the house.

2. Outdoor Shoes

If you notice pesky white stains on your shoes at the end of winter, chances are they are residue left behind by road salt. To keep your shoes in good condition and prevent permanent damage, it’s a good idea to clean them throughout the winter season, not just at the end. A deep clean at the end of winter is definitely in order before storing boots and other cold weather shoes away for the season. The cleaning method depends on the material the shoes are made of. Use a leather conditioner on leather boots and machine-wash any shoes that are washer-safe. Use a sneaker cleaning sponge to remove residue from sneakers, or make a homemade cleaning solution of warm soapy water or by mixing equal parts water and distilled white vinegar.

3. Your Car

Even though it may seem like a waste to wash your car regularly during the winter since it will likely get covered in road salt over and over again, regular washing is important. It prevents buildup that’s harder to remove and that can cause scratches and permanent damage. Once winter is over, deep clean the car and make sure you remove salt residue from every part of the vehicle including the interior and the exterior. Pay special attention to the car floor and mats which often are stained with salt. As for the exterior, the undercarriage and wheels need to be thoroughly cleaned as salt builds up on these areas and can cause damage if not removed properly.

4. Garage Floor

The end of winter is a great time to clean out the garage and get it ready for spring. Take the opportunity to clean the garage floor at this time, as road salt is likely scattered across it and can continue causing damage. Start by clearing the garage floor and using a broom to get rid of solid dirt and road salt. Next, treat any salt stains. Spray them with water and allow to air dry, and if the stains remain, use a commercial concrete floor stain remover or make your own solution with equal parts water and distilled white vinegar.

5. Winter Coats

Before you store winter coats and jackets away for the season, get them dry cleaned to prevent any stains from setting in permanently. Whether your coat got dirty while you were salting the driveway or you brushed up against a car that was covered in the salty residue, salt can permanently damage your winter-wear. Instead of trying to spot clean the garments, have them dry cleaned at the end of winter to remove potential salt stains as well as dirt and lingering odors.

6. Winter Accessories

Similar to winter coats and jackets, seasonal accessories such as gloves, hats, and scarves should be dry cleaned at the end of winter to remove any potential road salt residue. This is especially the case for accessories you have worn to shovel snow or salt your driveway.

7. Outdoor Plants

Plants that are in near proximity to any road, driveway, or sidewalk that was salted may be covered in salt residue which can affect their growth and health. Road salt may have gotten on your lawn and plants while you were salting or as cars drove by and stuck to leaves and branches. To get rid of the residue, wait until outdoor temperatures rise above freezing, then use a garden hose to wash the plants.

8. Your Carpet

If any transitional area of your home—such as an entryway—is carpeted and was walked on with road salt-covered boots during the winter, it needs to be cleaned. The salt can cause the carpet fibers to break down and result in permanent stains. Vacuum the carpet to remove solid pieces first, then treat it with an appropriate carpet cleaner, using a stain remover on any areas that require extra attention. If you don’t typically get your carpets professionally cleaned, scheduling a cleaning at the end of winter is a great time to do so.