Melt the Ice-Solutions for Slippery Surfaces

The following widespread recipe across the internet claims to melt ice and stop it from refreezing, however reviews from various people across the country have mixed thoughts. Some say it has little help in keeping ice from reforming and that they need to use other treatments within 24 hours to assure the ice stays gone. Perhaps only a short fix for a slippery problem, but the verdict is still not in yet. Try it for yourself.

Homemade Ice melting solution:

1/2 gallon of warm water

6 drops of dish soap

2 oz. rubbing alcohol

Mix together in jug and pour over ice patches.

Other things that melt ice and/or help with traction other than rock salt or chemical ice melt products are:

Table salt

Bleach (not a safe alternative and not effective when diluted)

Beet juice/table salt brine

Salty pickle brine

Sugary soft drinks

Sand/wood ashes (for traction, not for melting ice)

Sand/table salt combo (for traction and melting ice)

Clay kitty litter (for traction, not for melting ice)

Any kind of sugar (pricey alternative to salt)

Hot water (short fix as it will freeze back quickly when temperatures drop) scrap surface to prevent it from freezing over.

Epson salt (cost much more than table salt)

Wind shield washer fluid (highly effective, but very toxic)

Water/vinegar combo (one part water, 3 parts vinegar) some say it is not recommended for windshield glass as it will leave pits in the glass, however not all experts will agree and claim it to be safe.

Winters can be rough on this old snowy mountain and water running down my steep driveway gives me chills in more than one way. Half fearful of the ride down hill I’m even more concerned about not being able to get back up the hill over a massive ice slick. So you can see how important it is to me to find an ice melting remedy that works.

Four wheel drive and a pray helps get me through most days I need to venture out in the winter. Grandma gear (4 wheel low range) or neutral will help slow me down to a crawl so I can avoid applying the brake. Sometimes a light snow gives me traction and ashes spread from my wood burning stove is helpful, but I know I need a much better solution. Ditches cleaned out and gravel hauled will help. It won’t last long, maybe only a year or two, maybe longer. One thing for sure, any kind of work of that nature will need to wait for warmer weather.

When snow is plowed out before it gets packed down turning itself into ice and if ice melting treatment is applied daily the driveway will be bare. This winter has been better than some when it comes to preventive maintenance. Help from family and neighbors surely have been appreciated. The older I get the less I’m able to do on my own, mainly because I fear falling on the ice. Living alone in the middle of the sticks is not for everyone and even though I’ve been here since time began doesn’t mean it’s meant for me either. I refuse to think I’m ready for a rocking chair yet. I’m not giving up that easy. I know there’s a solution to most any short term problem. This ice won’t last much longer. Spring is coming.