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How to Remove Calcium & Salt Stains from Your Car's Interior

By Ahmed
Jul 18, 2025
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Removing white salt stains from black car carpet

The "Calgary Crust". You know it well. That rock-hard white ring of salt that forms around your gas pedal in January. If left untreated, it can permanently bleach your black carpets and rot the floorboards.

Why Vacuuming Fails on Calgary Salt

You can't vacuum salt stains because they aren't dust—they are crystals bonded to the fabric. You have to dissolve them first.

DIY Salt Removal Guide for Calgary Drivers

1

Break the Crust

Step 1

Use a stiff nylon brush to physically break up the large dried crystal formations. Vacuum up the loose dust.

2

Dissolve

Step 2

Apply a hot water solution (or dedicated salt remover). Don't soak the carpet; just mist it. The heat is key to dissolving the minerals.

3

Agitate & Extract

Step 3

Brush vigorously to lift the stain, then immediately blot with a microfiber towel (or wet-vac) to pull the salty water out.

4

Neutralize

Step 4

Chemical salt removers contain neutralizers to stop the corrosion. If you skip this, the salt residue keeps eating the carpet backing.

Prefer Prevention for Your Calgary Vehicle?

The best way to fix salt stains is to prevent them with high-quality Rubber Floor Liners (like WeatherTech or TuxMat). For the exposed carpet around them, we offer professional Interior Fabric Protection (Ceramic for fabrics) that makes the carpet hydrophobic, creating a barrier against the salt water.

Is the damage already done? Check out our Detailing Packages to have our team steam extract those stains for you.

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