Did you know that there are alternative methods for melting ice on your sidewalk using simple household tools? Home remedies are a wonderful alternative to road salt because they are more practical, cheaper and, above all, more environmentally friendly. All good reasons to look into your own cupboards this winter and have ice cream with onehomemade de-icing mixtureto remove.
Which home remedy melts ice?
A snow-white winter is beautiful, especially when you enjoy it in the mountains or from home in the warmth. Otherwise it can be a real test of nerves and health, with nasty icing, slush on roads and sidewalks and icicles lurking on roofs and sheds.
However, if everyone clears and de-ices their own driveways and sidewalks well enough, we can enjoy more accessible and walkable streets. But if you don't want to shovel or buy salt, here are some handy home remedies to melt the ice.
Melting ice with sugar as an environmentally friendly alternative
Sugar is a common household product that you can use to remove rust. It acts like table salt and lowers the freezing point of water. However, sugar is more expensive than salt. Therefore, you should only use it for smaller areas, such as: B. the porch, or if you want to keep your stairs free of ice. You can also sprinkle it over black ice. Since sugar has the ability to melt ice, sugar drinks can also contribute to this goal. Whether it's lemonade, fruit juice, or another sweet drink, you can simply squirt it on the ice to help it dissolve faster.
This method is used when you need a quick solution to defrost your sidewalk and driveway. However, it should not be used often as artificial dyes can cause problems if they enter the house through the soles of your feet.
De-ice surfaces with rubbing alcohol in winter
Rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, which is found in most commercial de-icing products, can also be used alone to melt ice. Its freezing temperature is around -7°C, which slows down the freezing process of water. It's not as effective as salt, but it's also not as harmful to plants. In more than moderate amounts it can cause skin, eye and lung irritation, so you should limit use to smaller areas.
A mixture of rubbing alcohol, water, and soap is ideal for removing ice from your vehicle. To make it you will need a bucket with 2 liters of hot water, 6 drops of dish soap and 50 ml of rubbing alcohol. If your vehicle is covered in snow, brush it off and then spray this mixture onto the ice underneath. You can then gently push the ice off your vehicle or remove it with a scraper. It should come off without much scratching!
Baking soda removes ice without damaging concrete
Baking soda works similarly to salt. It lowers the freezing point of water when it enters it and works well in cold, but not extremely cold, weather environments. Just like salt, you mix it with hot water and apply it to the ice you want to melt. One advantage of baking soda is that it is less alkaline than salt. This reduces the risk of it damaging concrete or brick.
Beetroot juice speeds up the melting process
Not only is this method completely natural, but it is also completely safe for pets. Plus, you don't have to worry about the beet juice damaging the plants or eating up the sidewalk and driveway. There is still a chance that they couldturn purple, but to prevent this, you can rinse them with soap and water as soon as the temperature rises above freezing again.
To use it, mix 20% beetroot juice with 80% brine and add to a spray bottle. Spray it on smooth surfaces and wait for it to work. The beetroot juice helps the brine lower the freezing temperature of the water even further.
Vinegar is very effective for de-icing
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which lowers the melting point of water and prevents it from freezing. A simple mixture of water and vinegar is not only particularly gentle on your car, but also very effective. Mix 1 cup of water and 3 cups of vinegar in a bottle and shake well before use. Spray a good amount onto your vehicle's windshield and the ice should gradually melt. Don't be afraid to use a lot. Enjoy a snack and a cup of coffee while this formula does the work for you.
Melting ice – practical trick with coffee grounds
Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, which helps reduce the melting temperature of ice cream. He also has another onesecond function: Because it is dark in color, it absorbs more sunlight than lighter materials such as snow, ice and rock salt, which can cause the melting process to accelerate.
