Salt Stains On Shoesby Steven Carver

(Photos of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes courtesy of Nordstrom)

Just like a man moisturizes the skin on his face, so too should he take care of his shoes to keep them from drying – especially in the winter.

If there are salt stains on your leather shoes or boots, mix one tablespoon of white vinegar in one cup of water. Dip a clean soft rag in the liquid, the wipe the salt stains. When dry, the shoes should be good as new.

If the footwear is suede (even though no one should wear suede in the winter), don’t use oil-based cleaners because they will stain the suede more than the salt. Try a mild blend of one teaspoon of dish washing detergent and fabric softener in 500 ml of lukewarm water.

First brush the suede with a shoe brush to loosen and remove any salt and dirt. Spray some of the solution on evenly over the suede and lightly brush it in. Wide off with a cloth dampened with clean water. When dry, rub the suede with light sand paper to recover the texture.

Finally, to keep the leather looking supple, apply a spray or cream protector in-between cleanings. Your shoes will thank you.