Removing Salt Stains

[BlackBerry]

Hi all, I've been a member (mosting lurking) and haven't been around for a while. Took me a while to ketchup (sorry couldn't help myself. ) Anyway, my question is about removing salt stains from the carpet. Yes I realize its late June! I've tried an interior carpet and upholstry cleaning foam with close to no luck. Any sugestions (other than you shoulda cleaned this 6 months ago ) Thanks in advance!BB

[joatmon]

I don't know about that one, maybe you could try wetting it down with water and vacuum it out with a shop vac.Quote, originally posted by BlackBerry » Any sugestions (other than you shoulda cleaned this 6 months ago ) You should have stopped lurking 6 months ago welcome back

[ragingfish]

Try this:Quote »Removing "salt stains" from carpets - "Salt" stains are usually caused by calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, not sodium chloride, caccording to the Carpet and Rug Institute. Rock salt has small amounts of both of these salts imbedded in it. The problem comes with solubility. Patience and lots of rinse cycles are the key and sometimes calcium carbonate forms and this is fairly insoluble. Try to vacuum most of the dry residue off before using cool to warm water and a very small amount of carpet shampoo. Once the cleaning solution has been applied, allow time for it to dissolve the deposit. Blot, do not scrub, the spot. Sodium chloride is more soluble at lower temps than at higher ones. Then rinse with clear lukewarm water, blotting up the excess moisture and follow with another water rinse and blot dry. This should work. If not, try a cleaning mixture of 1/2 white vinegar to 1/2 lukewarm water, allow to stand 15 minutes and rinse with clear water.And thanks for not lurking anymore!

[Raven]

Don't feel bad, I still have about a half pound of salt on the drivers side. I always heard the vinegar and water method worked quite well.

[JohnC]

Why do east coast states insist on salting the roads? Are they trying to rust out cars? Most western states I know of use sand or fly ash if anything. Come on easterners learn to drive "salt free"!

[BlackBerry]

Quote, originally posted by JohnC »Why do east coast states insist on salting the roads? Are they trying to rust out cars? Actually I'm in Canada. No matter - more and more municipalities have stopped using salt I believe. It's now up to the provinces to step up and restrict salt use except in the worst storms where a state of emergency is decleared. (Stepping down of my soapbox now ) Sunny I wondered about vinegar. I just didn't want my car to smell unnecessarily if it wouldn't work. My wife eat fries with vinegar and the car smells for a few days just from that small amount. And in case anyone south of the border is wondering, yes fries with vinegar is very, very good. And don't get me started on poutine! Anyway are anymore chemists out there that can help me with Ragingfish's or Sunny's recomedations?Thanks all!BB

[03VibeGT6Spd]

I usally pull out my steam cleaner, and that normally cleans it up pretty good.