Getting rid of salt

[thinwater]

The EPA standard for salt in water, based on taste, is 250 ppm chloride.
A typical broth might contain about 5000 ppm.
Seawater is about 20,000 ppm.


In other words, you need about 100:1 dilution to kill the taste.


I tested a few rinse aids and salt removers. The effect on calcium is obvious, but negligible on chloride. This is logically true, unless we have information that suggests polyester and related fibers significantly concentrate chloride.



Removing or preventing "salt" spots from a hard surface is a complete different puzzle, largely related to inhibiting lime crystallization as the concentration rises during dying, and preventing beading. Neither are related to washing foam or clothes.

[puffcard]

It's Memorial Day. Find a friend with a pool, take the cushions over there and let the kids play on them in the pool. Then shop vac and air dry in sun.

[JPA Cate]

I think we've been missing the extensiveness of the salt intrusion. It is in fixed upholstery, as well as the linens, mattress cover and fill.

I'd try the steam cleaner on the upholstery, maybe you can save it.

The linens and mattress covers can be washed "normally". For the cover, that means gentle cycle, cool water, and a tiny bit of fabric softener (flocculating agent in the softener), and, if the mattresses itself is foam, heaps of water. If it is innerspring, I don't know.
The upholstery is probably going to stay wet forever, but the stem cleaner is the best bet, because against the cost of replacing the suite, it is only a cleaner. Use the taste on it.

Use the taste test: if you can still taste the salt, it's still too salty. It takes a LOT of rinsing water, with soaking and rinsing, and it is sort of effortful, you gotta keep playing the "stomp the grapes" deal on the mattress to keep the water moving through it, and keep refreshing it. You're done when you suck the foam, and cannot taste salt any more. It is the type of project that wealthy people would normally hire out (or get the grandkids to do), if interested in it; more would just bite the bullet, and replace the lot.

It is extremely tedious, and it takes a great deal of water to cope with a queen size mattress. It took a lot for just our cushions, which were smaller than that and easier to handle because they were in two pieces, full of water.

You have a real story to tell future guests, relative to dogging hatches. It's a tough lesson.

Sorry for the troubles.

Ann

[saildale]

Put the soaking wet foam cushions in a 55 gallon trash can liner, then evacuate it with a shop vac (wet type only) until it is tinny and hard as a rock. Refill the bag with water and repeat until you are satisfied. You will be amazed at how much water a shop vac and a plastic bag can remove.