Genius House Hacks · a GopherCentral & PulseTV publication
Household Hacks · January 18, 2022 edition

A Homemade Ice Melt for Emergency Icy Sidewalks

From the Genius House Hacks archive.

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After an ice storm, every flat area can turn into a nearly frictionless surface, and rock salt and ice melt tend to sell out overnight. If you ever find yourself in this kind of slippery situation, this homemade ice melt will help you avoid slipping and sliding on your front porch in an emergency.

A Homemade De-Icer

In a bucket, combine a half-gallon of hot water, about six drops of dish soap, and 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol. Pour the mixture onto your sidewalk or driveway, and the snow and ice will begin to bubble up and melt; keep a shovel handy to scrape away any leftover pieces. Rubbing alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water, so it speeds up melting and helps prevent the surface from icing up again. You can also pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use it to thaw your car windows.

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