Salt staining your clothes? Follow these quick tips.

Winter storms not only bring snow and ice, they also bring treatment to roads and sidewalks that can stain your clothes. Here are some quick tips for getting your clothing and winter gear clean:

1. Weather-resistant clothing, such as snow boots or water-repellent jackets, can be cleaned with a soft cloth dipped in water or a water/vinegar mix. Experiment with mixture amounts – start with 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a quart of water, and gradually add more vinegar if needed. After applying the water or water/vinegar mixture, wipe with a dry cloth.

2. For everyday clothing just let the salt dry and then brush it off, either with a specialized clothes brush or an inexpensive hairbrush with soft bristles. It’s incredibly fast and easy!

3. If your clothing is salty and muddy, let the mud dry completely as well, or you will work it in rather than remove it. If the mud is ground into the fabric, start by brushing off what you can, and then toss the item into the laundry. If laundering is not an option, sponge the dirty areas with a moist cloth and pat off the dirty water with a dry cloth (test the method in a small, hidden area of the clothing if you have any concern the fabric might get damaged). Move on to a water-vinegar mixture if plain water doesn’t quite do the trick.

4. If you’re not confident that a stain will come out or you have a delicate garment that needs to be treated, bring them to Best and we’ll do the work for you. It’s as easy as that!