Winter in Ottawa can be a tough time for keeping your vehicle clean. One of the most annoying issues is road salt — especially road salt stains on your car’s carpet.
More than 7 million tonnes of road salt are used in Canada each winter by public road agencies alone.
As the snow melts and turns to slush, white or pink road salt can get stomped into your vehicle carpet every time someone gets in. Sure those stains look bad but did you know they can also cause long-term damage if left untreated? It’s important to get rid of those stubborn salt stains, pronto.
And while it’s important to wash your car regularly to get that road salt off, professional car detailing is the most convenient and effective way to removing salt stains and keep even used car interiors looking showroom fresh.
Let’s take a closer look at road salt and how to remove salt stains.
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What Causes Road Salt Stains?
Road salt is used to combat snowy, icy roads during Ottawa’s winters. It melts snow and ice, leaving the road clear and safer to drive on.
The problem is when you step in it. As road salt mixes with snow and gets tracked into your car, it dissolves and penetrates deep into the carpet fibers. When the melted snow evaporates, it leaves behind white, crusty salt stains that can be tough to get out. Over time, these stains can cause the fibers to break down, damaging your carpet and causing strange odours.
Even with rubber mats, the more it snows, the more the city uses road salt and the worse this problem gets. Each time you get in and out of your car, you track in more salt, which spreads across the carpet.
DIY Methods to Remove Salt Stains from Car Carpet
If you’re the type that likes to be hands-on with your car, there are a few DIY methods that can help get rid of some of those road salt stains.
- Start by making a homemade cleaning salt solution. Mix together a 50-50 solution of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. The equal parts vinegar can help break down the salt, making it easier to get out of your carpet – as long as you’re okay with the vinegar smell. Spray down the stained areas on your car’s carpet and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Next, use a stiff brush to scrub the stains. This will lift the salt out of your carpet. Lightly scrub in multiple directions to reach all sides of the carpet fibres.
- Once you’ve scrubbed the area, soak up the extra solution and loosened salt with a towel or paper towels.
- Using a sponge soaked in warm water, gently blot the carpet and rinse away the cleaning salt solution. Avoid soaking the carpet.
- Finally, let your carpet air dry. Leaving your car doors open should speed it up. Don’t leave it wet, which can lead to mildew.
Why DIY May Not Be Enough
While this method can work for minor salt stains, deeply ingrained stains might need more to get them out. DIY cleaning only addresses the surface level of the carpet. Salt that has penetrated deeper into the fibres or the padding underneath is a lot tougher to get out, and can continue to stain and cause damage even after cleaning.
Additionally, there is a risk of damaging your car’s carpet if you’re not careful. Over-scrubbing can fray carpet fibers, and using too much water can end up in mold growth. DIY methods often won’t completely get rid of embedded salt residue, leaving behind a residue.
This is where professional car detailing services can really save the day. A professional detailer has the tools, chemicals, and experience to remove even the most stubborn and deep road salt stains effectively and safely.
Benefits of Professional Car Detailing Services
Professional car detailing services can give your car an entirely different level of cleaning that simply can’t be matched at home.
At BEMAC, our salt removal technicians use advanced techniques and specialized equipment to get your car’s interior as close to a new car look as possible. We know how to tackle road salt stains using powerful steam cleaners, industrial vacuums, and high-end cleaning solutions that penetrate and clean deep into the carpet fibres.
A professional detailing will also take care of other common issues with car interiors, like odours, pet hair, and other stains. Regular detailing can also extend the life of your vehicle’s interior, keep its resale value higher, and just make your car nicer to drive in.
We’ll thoroughly clean every inch of your car’s interior, getting rid of even the toughest stains. We also offer interior protection treatments which can help prevent stains and damage down the road.
Request a Quote for Car Detailing
If a road salt stain is ruining your ride, take action. Talk to BEMAC about professional car detailing and get those white stains out.
Request a quote and take the first step toward getting your car’s interior back to good as new.
