Salt Stain Removal Calgary | Interior Car Detailing Tips

autocareonwheels
Jun 23
2 min read

How to Remove Salt Stains from Your Car Carpet – Calgary Winter Guide

Winters in Calgary are brutal—and your car’s carpet feels it. From slushy boots to frozen floor mats, salt stains build up fast, leaving ugly white crusts and long-term damage to your interior. As Calgary’s trusted mobile detailers, we’re here to help you solve it—DIY or professionally.

Why Salt Stains Happen in Calgary

In cold months, Calgary streets are coated with road salt and de-icing chemicals. That salt clings to your boots and gets pressed into your carpet every time you step in the car.

If untreated, it:

Hardens and crusts over
Leaves white residue
Attracts moisture and bacteria
Damages carpet fibers over time

DIY Salt Stain Removal at Home

You can try to treat light salt stains at home with these steps:

What You’ll Need:

White vinegar
Warm water
Clean cloths
A scrub brush or old toothbrush
Shop vac (optional)

Steps:

Mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part warm water
Apply to the stained area generously
Let sit for 5–10 minutes
Scrub with a brush to break up salt
Blot with clean cloth to soak up the liquid
Repeat if needed
Use a shop vac to extract leftover moisture if possible

❗ Tip: Be careful not to oversaturate your carpet, or you risk mold under the padding.

When to Call a Professional Mobile Detailer

DIY works for small stains—but deep salt buildup usually needs:

Hot water extraction
Steam cleaning
Enzyme treatment for odors

At Auto Care on Wheels, we come to your driveway with professional-grade carpet extractors and heated cleaning solutions that pull salt up from the base of your mats and carpet.

Plus, we’ll treat your interior with: