Salt-Away

There are 3 basic methods for moving salt from surfaces with Salt-Away

  • Immersion
  • Pressure and velocity from spray bottles, compression pump sprayers, garden or other hoses, pressure washers and large tanks with pump systems. It is important to select the appropriate dispensing equipment for the size of the area of the contaminated surface. Diluting Salt-Away is necessary either by pre-mixing or by delivering it from a device that is set to the correct dilution ratio while attached to a water hose.
  • Wet vacuuming

Salt-Away is water-based, highly concentrated and must be diluted. The Salt-Away solution immediately dissolves any soluble contaminant. Flow (run-off) caused by gravity is required to remove salt and other solubles. As flow begins, ingredients in the product will not allow the contaminants in their dissolved state to attach to the surface, and a “sheeting” effect is created allowing the flow to move the contaminants all the way off the equipment. In areas that stay wetter longer and are primarily inaccessible or where salt is trapped, the corrosion inhibitors in the product will keep equipment from rusting and corroding from the inside-out.

Immersion: Immersing items in a bath of a Salt-Away solution is accomplished by dipping the item into the solution until completely covered by the liquid and removing it and allowing gravity to cause the liquid to run off the surfaces. Unless there is salt accumulation on the surface, there is no need to soak the item in the solution. The length of time to allow the item to soak in the Salt-Away solution to break apart salt accumulation depends on the amount of accumulation. Using the solution more than once is not recommended. The recommended dilution ratios for an immersion solution with fresh water can range from 1.5% to 5.0% by volume. A richer solution greater than 10.0% by volume is not recommended. Rinsing the item with fresh water after the immersion process is required. 

Application by pressure methods: There are 2 conditions necessary for Salt-Away to remove salt: 1) the pressure and velocity of the water source must be consistent and great enough for gravity to cause flow, and 2) complete and thorough flowing of the solution to the exit areas of the surface must occur. Except for salt accumulation areas, results are immediate. If conditions 1 and 2 do not exist, the Salt-Away solution will dissolve the salt, but the salt will remain on the surface. 

Vertical Surface: Upon application to the surface to be treated, the Salt-Away solution immediately dissolves any soluble contaminant. If the pressure is not strong enough to cause complete flow from the surface, the solution will dissolve the soluble contaminants, the flowing will begin, then slow to a drizzle, and eventually stop before reaching the removal area. If this situation occurs, the salt is not removed. 

Horizontal Surface: The method for removal is more difficult, but can be accomplished by “pushing” the dissolved contaminants with pressurized spray or stream velocity of the Salt-Away solution until they are pushed off the surface. 

Horizontal Surface, No Outlet: Example: salt-contaminated floors where there is no drain. Pressure is not necessary to apply the Salt-Away solution, and the recommended solution is 5.0% Salt-Away by volume. The best equipment to use to apply the solution is a compression pump sprayer. The area must be covered with enough solution to cause standing liquid. If the surface is porous, continue to add solution until it is saturated and a standing liquid condition exists. Allow the solution to stand at least 10 minutes, but do not allow it to evaporate. Salt removal must be accomplished by vacuuming all the standing liquid. The most commonly used vacuum device is known as a “wet-vacuum machine”. Since it is not physically possible to vacuum 100% of the moisture from the surface, any dissolved salt residing in the remaining moisture will not be removed. This process may need to be repeated several times depending on porousness and condition of the surface.

Floor Carpeting: Apply with a carpet cleaning machine using a 2-3% Salt-Away solution. After the application, let it dwell for 10-30 minutes depending on the concentration of salt exposure. Vacuum the solution out of the carpet using the same procedure used for cleaning the carpet. If the carpet needs cleaning, that job must be performed first. Carpet cleaning solutions are not the same as Salt-Away. Do not mix. More than one Salt-Away application may be required the first time it is used. Applying the product several times can dilute the concentration of the salt left in the surface moisture, and additional salt deposits can be removed. For regular maintenance intervals, only 1 application is required. Warning: For carpets, do not use more Salt-Away than recommended. In richer solutions, the dye in Salt-Away may cause stains, and too much foaming may occur.