Winter weather brings more than cold temperatures. It also brings a sharp increase in garments exposed to ice melting agents tracked in from sidewalks, parking lots, and entryways. During heavy snow seasons, salt-related staining becomes one of the most common winter garment issues cleaners face.

Understanding how these stains form, which garments are at risk, and how to address them properly is essential for protecting both the garment and the business.

Why Ice Melting Agents Are a Problem

Most commercial and household ice melting products are made with chloride salts, including:

• Sodium chloride (rock salt)

• Calcium chloride

• Magnesium chloride

• Potassium chloride

• Blended salt compounds

While many fabrics tolerate brief contact, wool, silk, suede, and leather are far more vulnerable. These materials can experience chemical damage on contact, leading to discoloration, surface breakdown, or permanent texture changes.

This damage often occurs before the garment ever reaches the cleaner, which is why intake conversations and documentation matter as much as cleaning technique.

The Risk Increases Over Time

Fresh salt stains are generally easy to remove. The problem arises when:

• The garment dries with salt residue present

• Heat is applied in a dryer or reclaim cycle

• The stain oxidizes with age

Once oxidation occurs, the stain can become significantly more difficult to remove and may require stronger corrective chemistry, increasing the risk of fabric damage.

Early identification and prompt pre-spotting are critical.

Recommended Pre-Spotting Procedure

For fresh salt stains, the following steps are typically effective on most fabrics:

1. Lightly mist the stained area with water

2. Flush thoroughly with steam

3. Feather with air until dry

If the stain remains:

1. Apply a neutral lubricant or tannin formula

2. Use gentle mechanical action

3. Flush again with steam

4. Feather until dry

For older or oxidized salt stains, a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution may be required. This step should be approached cautiously and only when fabric sensitivity allows.

Intake Matters as Much as Technique

Salt damage often creates expectations problems rather than cleaning failures. Customers may not realize the exposure has already compromised the garment.

Best practice includes:

• Advising customers of potential permanent damage

• Noting salt exposure on the intake ticket

• Setting realistic expectations before processing

Clear communication at intake protects both the cleaner and the customer relationship.

The Full Cycle Perspective

Salt stains are a classic example of how small environmental factors can create outsized risk if not addressed early. When cleaners slow the process just enough to identify exposure, document risk, and communicate clearly, winter damage becomes manageable rather than costly.

This is not about doing more. It is about doing the right steps at the right time.