Make This DIY Deicer to Melt Ice Quickly and Prevent Slips

Ice can be a big problem when you are trying to get into the house or to your car, so it’s common for homeowners to apply salt to driveways, walkways, and patio steps. The salt lowers the temperature at which water freezes, preventing it from freezing. However, the effectiveness of this solution depends on the volume of ice to be handled.

Additionally, salt alone may not provide sufficient traction on driveways and walkways, especially when applied in large amounts, which can damage concrete. Instead of overloading your icy surfaces with salt, try this easy DIY deicer mixture to instantly add traction to icy driveways and steps.

What Makes This DIY Deicer Special

This DIY deicer mixture consists of salt to melt ice, of course, but it also adds sand to improve traction and prevent slipping. The best part is that the sand does not wash away, so you won’t lose the added traction unless it is covered by snow or ice or washed away by water.

Using a mixture of both salt and sand will reduce the amount of salt needed for the driveway and steps, protecting both your concrete and the surrounding vegetation. It’s also worth noting that sand’s slip resistance is effective at any temperature, whereas salt becomes less effective as ambient temperature drops; this mixture helps balance both deicing and traction.

How to Make and Store the Mixture

Mixing salt and sand is relatively easy, but you need the right type of sand for the mixture to be highly effective. Avoid using fine play sand; instead, use sharp sand and mix it with rock salt in a large container or bucket. For most homes, mix three parts sand with one part rock salt for an effective, high-traction, cost-efficient deicer.

If your driveway has a heavy ice load, consider mixing sand and salt at a 1:1 ratio to improve deicing performance. The leftover mixture should be stored in a dry, covered container in a garage or shed to prevent it from freezing solid or clumping before you can use it again.

Where and How to Apply This Deicer

This mixture of sand and salt can be spread over any icy surfaces around your home, including the patio, steps, sidewalk, walkway, and driveway. For the best results, clear the area of snow before using this deicer. Spread the mixture evenly over the driveway and sidewalk using a shaker or handheld spreader, ensuring the ice surface is fully covered.

However, a small amount is usually sufficient. Overapplying this mixture could damage your concrete and harm your vegetation, so use it only as needed.

When to Reapply the Deicer

Generally, you only need to reapply deicer when the current application has become buried or ineffective. Typically, this occurs after new snow accumulation or freezing rain. Depending on the storm’s severity, you might need to reapply deicer during the storm to keep the walk and driveway safe, especially if foot traffic, snow accumulation, or freezing rain has made the previous application ineffective. Additionally, in high-traffic areas, you should check for required reapplication more frequently, as salt and sand will be displaced more frequently.

Safety Considerations

No matter which deicing solution you use for your driveway, steps, and walkway, be aware of potential hazards to your concrete, vegetation, pets, children, and the environment. For this deicing mixture, salt is the primary risk factor. Rock salt granules are sharp and can cause physical harm to your kids’ hands if they touch them or to your pets’ paw pads when they walk on them.

Also, rock salt can be toxic if ingested, so if it gets on your children’s hands or your pets’ paws, make sure to clean them thoroughly. When it comes to your concrete, rock salt can cause scaling and pitting, and its high salinity can harm plants, burn the lawn, and contaminate nearby water sources, including wells. To reduce the risk posed by rock salt, avoid using large amounts of the mixture, and sweep up any excess sand and salt once the ice melts.

Alternative Deicing Solutions

If you do not have the appropriate sand or rock salt to make this dicing mixture, there are a few alternatives you can use to treat icy surfaces around your home.

Rubbing alcohol and dish soap: Combine these household staples for a liquid deicer. Mix ½ gallon of warm water, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap in a large container, then pour it into a spray bottle and apply it to icy surfaces to melt the ice. Use a shovel to clear away broken ice pieces for faster results.
Vinegar and water: These two liquids can be mixed to make a quick, effective deiicer for mild icy conditions. Mix equal parts white vinegar and hot water in a bucket or spray bottle, then apply the solution to an icy surface.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate): This common cleaning and baking ingredient is an effective, noncorrosive alternative that lowers the freezing point of water, helping melt ice. It can be sprinkled directly onto the ice to melt it, similar to the way rock salt works.
Coffee grounds and wood ash: Both overlooked materials that do not melt ice quickly, but provide excellent traction. Their dark color also absorbs more solar heat, which can accelerate natural melting during the day.

Kitty litter. This is an affordable, comparable traction-improving agent that works similarly to sand or coffee grounds. Non-clumping kitty litter is best used for immediate traction on slippery surfaces.

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