How to Prevent Salt Stains on Your Floors This Winter

When you live in a region where winter storms are inevitable, you learn to embrace the elements. After a day of sledding and snowball fights, a warm cup of cocoa sounds delightful. However, icy conditions can be downright dangerous, and often require preventive measures. You, your neighbors, and most places of business you venture out to, will most likely lay down rock salt or ice melt to prevent slips and falls.

While it’s necessary to avoid accidents, salt can damage flooring when tracked inside. We spoke with Brandon Pleshak, Midwesterner and cleaning expert at Clean That Up, who is no stranger to inclement winters. He shares the best ways to prevent salt stains from appearing on floors—and the solution is surprisingly simple!

Related: How to Remove Salt Stains from Winter Shoes

Why Do White Salt Stains Appear on the Floor in Winter?

First, it’s important to understand how and why salt can damage your floors, because it may motivate you to prevent stains in the first place. Salt impacts materials in different ways, but light stains are usually the first clue visual clue that your floors are affected by salt. It will leave behind a white residue and eventually dull their shine or cause fading and discoloration.

When mixed with melted snow or ice, salt can also cause warping if left untreated. Due to its high pH level, it’s also a corrosive chemical that may erode tile grout and cause it to crack, leading to annoying repairs and costly replacements.It can also rust nearby metal elements, such as door stops and floor vents. Possibly the most worrisome issue of all is that if you have pets, salt can cause internal and external health hazards when they come in contact with it.

All types of flooring are negatively affected by salt, but the predominant problem varies depending on the material. For example, hardwood and laminate floors are more prone to warping, while vinyl is susceptible to surface abrasions. Salt stains aren't limited to hard floors: Carpet can also become discolored due to salt, and is one of the most difficult flooring types to clean afterward.

Related: 5 Most Durable Flooring Options for Your Home

How to Prevent Salt Stains on Floors

Because salt not only leaves annoying stains, but can permanently damage your flooring as well, it's imperative to prevent salt stains in the first place. Pleshak is no stranger to the salt stain struggle in the winter, and has a few expert tips to share. “I live in Wisconsin, so salt is a never-ending battle the second the snow starts to fly,” he says.

When it comes to prevention, his simple suggestion is one of the most effective options. “I always recommend taking your shoes off at the door if possible, and having at least a 5-foot runner rug to help clean off your shoes if you do wear them inside," he says.

In addition to laying down a runner (a washable rug, if possible!), it’s also a smart idea to place a boot tray or two down near your home’s entrance, as they’re easy to rinse off. If you have a mudroom or use an attached garage, consider kicking shoes and boots off before walking further into the house.

Having an organized system for shoe storage any time of the year helps ensure everyone puts theirs away, but it’s essential in the winter. Another good habit to develop is regularly cleaning shoes—especially snow boots and well-worn UGGs—to keep them looking nice and prevent salt from accumulating.

If you think applying a protective sealer on floors can prevent salt stains, think again. “Sealing can work for something like grout, but it's better to prevent [salt] from ever touching the floor,” Pleshak says.

Related: How to Get Stains Out of Carpet, No Matter What Type