If you’ve ever had a pair of leather shoes you’ve probably noticed how badly the de-icing salt used in the winter will stain them. Your once shiny black leather shoes have devolved into a disappointing dull gray with white squiggly stains worming all around them.
There’s not much you can really do to avoid getting the salt that’s spread everywhere from aSALTing (sorry) your shoes (except maybe learning how to walk on you hands everywhere). There is, however, quite a lot that can be done to help fix and/or contain the salt stains before they’re in dire need of emergency shoe repair. For the frugal shoe owner: a simple solution of two parts water to one part vinegar can be used with a rag to gently wipe the salt off of the shoe and then let it air dry (don’t heat the shoe to dry it). Anyone who’s more willing to shell out a bit more money to get their shoes a bit more clean can get some saddle soap or salt-stain remover from a shoe-repair shop.
Always remember that, in the end, the best help you can get your shoes would be to go to a professional.
