How to remove salt stains from wood

by Cammie Smith - January 29, 2021

Table of Contents Show

Vinegar to the Rescue
Cleaning Salt Deposits
Wiping the Streaks Away
Preventing Streaky Floors
How do you get dried salt off of wood?
What neutralizes salt on wood?
Does vinegar remove salt deposits?
Are salt stains permanent?

Removing Salt Stains from Hardwood Floors

Winter comes with a lot of pros and cons. There are things we enjoy like sledding, skiing, and snowboarding. Then there are the things that some people don’t enjoy, the cold weather, the shoveling, and of course, the salt stains.

If you’re anything like us you’ve gone weeks through winter storms letting salt stains sit on your tile and hardwood floors in the entry ways of your home. From kids boots, ski and snowboard equipment to sleds. It seems that no matter what you do salt stains always find their way into your home.

One of the best ways to remove salt stains is with a vinegar and water solution. You’ll need:

⅓ cup of white distilled vinegar
1 gallon of water
A spray bottle
Your vacuum cleaner
Microfiber mop (mops made of harsher materials can damage your floors when pushing around the salt)
Clean microfiber cloths
A clean dry towel

First you’re going to want to add the water and vinegar together and pour it into your spray bottle. Next, be sure the floor is dry and use your vacuum cleaner and vacuum up as much salt as you can. After that, lightly spray the mixture over the stain on your hardwood or tile floor, be sure to not leave it on for too long because too much vinegar and moisture can damage the floors. You’ll want to let the solution sit for about 5 minutes, then use your microfiber mop to mop it dry. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the floor again to remove any bits of salt that may have been missed. The last step is make sure your floor is completely dried off with a clean towel or microfiber cloth.

Are you ready for summer? Check out this article on preparing your home for summer: Summer Home – 6 Smart Ways to Prepare Your Home for Summer

Salt performs a valuable function on city streets and sidewalks during even the mildest of winters, melting ice and preventing dangerous skids and slips, but it's a different story in the house. When salty water evaporates on your floors, it leaves streaky white deposits that make it look like the ice came indoors instead of melting outside. You can get rid of these deposits with vinegar, and a spray bottle filled with vinegar on hand can help prevent them.

Vinegar to the Rescue

Salt deposits aren't like regular dirt; you can't emulsify them with soap and water and wash them off. You need to dissolve them with a weak acid, and the acetic acid in vinegar effectively does the job. This acid, unfortunately, can also etch and dull the finishes on hardwood and slate floors, however, so it isn't wise to use it full strength. For most floors, a solution of 1/2-cup vinegar per gallon of warm water gets the job done, but you may want to double the vinegar amount for stubborn or extensive stains.

Cleaning Salt Deposits

Remember that when you see white streaks, they are likely to be salt crystals, which can scrape and scratch the floor when crushed under a shoe. Before treating the streaks, wrap an old towel around a flat mop and use the mop to soak up any standing water left by freshly melted snow; then vacuum thoroughly. When mopping hardwood floors, it's better to dab the water rather than push it around to prevent it from seeping between the floorboards and causing damage to the wood. If your vacuum has a roller, be sure it's disengaged to prevent scratching the finish.

Wiping the Streaks Away

If your flooring is made of tile, vinyl or another water-resistant material, use a string mop to spread the vinegar solution liberally over it. The vinegar has to dissolve the salt, which may take a few minutes, so leave the floor wet for those minutes; then mop again with clear water. A more delicate procedure is appropriate for hardwood or slate floors. Mist the streaky areas using a spray bottle, and dab them or wipe them gently with an absorbent towel after a few minutes. Add an ounce of vegetable oil to the mixture to keep the floor shiny.

Preventing Streaky Floors

If white, streaky floors are a problem in your house, you may need to institute a shoes-off policy at the door, where a mat or a piece of cardboard should cover the floor to protect it. Keep a spray bottle of vinegar and water and a towel at the door. Encourage family and guests to treat water spots on uncovered parts of the floor by wiping off the water, spraying the affected area, and wiping off the spray. A ready supply of slippers at the door as an invitation for family member and guests to slip into upon entry may work as an incentive for keeping salt-laden outdoor shoes off your floors.

How do you get dried salt off of wood?

How to Clean Salt from a Hardwood Floor.

First try cleaning with warm water, gentle soap, and a microfiber rag. ... .

Don't leave your floors to air dry! ... .

If soap and water doesn't work, consider using a weak mixture of white vinegar and water..

What neutralizes salt on wood?

Fill a 24-ounce water bottle with warm water and add one tablespoon of vinegar. Spray the solution over the salt stains. (Just a light mist will do, don't soak your floors.) Then let it sit for a few minutes so the salt can dissolve.

Does vinegar remove salt deposits?

To remove salt stains, prepare a solution of 1 cup vinegar and a squirt of dish soap to every gallon of warm water. (Water alone won't work and may just move the salt around and re-deposit it). 3. Apply the vinegar mix to stains and scrub with a stiff brush or broom.

Are salt stains permanent?

As snow starts to fall, we often use salt as a way to keep roads, sidewalks, and driveways from icing up. Salt is an abrasive substance, it is important to promptly care for your salt stained clothing. Salt can harm our clothing by fading color, leaving rings, and permanently staining clothing and footwear.