The first Syracuse snowfall is enough to ruin boots, jeans and jackets. The streets and sidewalks become covered in salt, which damages winter gear with awful gray colors and terrible stains - a total fashion faux pas.
"Living in Syracuse and bearing the worst winters, I just accept the fact that my boots and pants are going to get stained," said Julie Salzman, a sophomore communication design major.
Salt splashes up, creating unsightly dots all up the back of pant legs and on boots. All Syracuse University students and faculty are left with the predicament of removing them, but there are some ways to combat this issue.
Leather and suede coats
Dry-cleaning is the best way to clean leather and suede coats. Since salt stains are difficult to remove, avoid wearing leather and suede in the snow and rain. A waterproof material insulated with down is best to wear in the snow, rain and slush. Down is the warmest coat insulation and the waterproof material will protect coats from being damaged.
Basic removal from pants and boots
Salt is very tough on all materials, especially denim. Justin Kaskel, a sophomore finance major, said he learned the hard way.
"Last year, the bottoms of my jeans ripped completely. They also got very stained with white marks."
The salt from the road dries out shoes, which leads to discoloration and cracking, so a conditioning treatment should also be applied to boots to keep them moist. According to askmen.com, a first easy solution to salt stains is using a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. This solution will remove stains from boots and pants. Try washing the stained item in a washing machine, and then rinsing them with the solution.
Leather boots
Lauren Haberman, a sophomore hospitality management major, said she has seen boots undergo a complete transformation last winter. "My leather boots from last winter are totally ruined. They were black and are now a whitish-grayish color, I can't even wear them anymore."
For leather boots, mix one tablespoon of white vinegar in one cup of water. Then, dip a clean soft rag in the liquid, and wipe away the salt stains. Lastly, allow time for drying and your boots should look as good as new. Also try Vaseline, which keeps them looking shiny.
UGGs
For UGG boots or for other suede boots, J Michael Shoes on Marshall Street sells a spray that protects boots from water. The spray, however, doesn't protect against salt stains. For salt stains, use the warm water and salt solution.
Nicole Salzman, a freshman majoring in sport management is already preparing for her first Syracuse winter. She bought the waterproof spray from J Michael's in anticipation of what's to come. "I am going to waterproof all my suede boots," she said. "They are new and I don't want them getting ruined my first winter here."
ecborgee@syr.edu
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