What Is A Good Homemade Deicer?

Introduction

Winter can be a beautiful season, with the snow-covered landscapes and the feeling of coziness. However, as much as we love winter, we can also hate it, especially when it comes to icy roads and sidewalks. Walking on slippery pavements is not only dangerous but also challenging. Fortunately, there exist some ways to get rid of the ice easily and cheaply, without harming the environment or damaging the surfaces. In this article, we will discuss a few good homemade deicers, and their pros and cons.

Rock salt

One of the most well-known and widely used types of deicers is rock salt. It is a natural mineral that is composed of sodium chloride. Rock salt is cheap, effective, and readily available in any hardware store. It works by lowering the freezing point of water and hence melting the ice. However, it has some drawbacks that one should consider.

Firstly, rock salt is not a hundred percent effective in extremely low temperatures, such as below 25°F. Also, it can damage the concrete surfaces over time by accelerating the rusting of steel rebars inside. Moreover, rock salt can harm the environment, especially when it finds its way into waterways by melting and running off from the pavements or driveways.

Kitty litter

Another option for deicing is kitty litter. It is made of small clay granules, designed to absorb the moisture and odors of cat urine. However, kitty litter can also be used for melting ice, especially when the layer is not too thick. It does not dissolve in water, so it will not damage the environment nor harm the surfaces. Nevertheless, kitty litter should not be used on asphalt or concrete surfaces that have already been damaged, as it may embed into cracks and cause further damage.

Vinegar and water

A cheap and environment-friendly way to deice your sidewalks and driveways is by using vinegar and water. Mixing equal amounts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and spraying it on the ice, will break down the bond between the ice and the surface, and hence make it easier to remove. However, vinegar and water mixture works only on thin layers of ice, and it may not be useful in extremely low temperatures.

Alcohol

Another homemade deicer that is worth trying is alcohol; any kind of alcohol can do the trick, such as rubbing alcohol, vodka, or beer. Alcohol works by melting the ice and lowering the freezing point of water. However, it may not be very effective in extremely low temperatures, and it may evaporate quickly, especially when poured in large quantities, leaving the surface icy again.

Sugar beet juice

A relatively unknown yet effective deicing solution is sugar beet juice. Sugar beet juice is a by-product of the sugar beet farming industry, and it has been used for deicing in some municipalities in the USA and Canada. It works by reducing the freezing point of water and forming a sticky film on the surface, which prevents the ice from bonding. Moreover, sugar beet juice does not harm the environment and does not corrode the surfaces, unlike rock salt. However, it may not be widely available in all areas, and it may be more expensive than other alternatives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there exist many good homemade deicers that one can use to get rid of the ice and make the sidewalks and driveways safer to walk on. Each alternative has its pros and cons, and one should choose the most suitable one depending on the type of ice, the temperature, and the desired effect. However, one should always bear in mind that deicers should only be used in moderation, and that they should not replace proper snow removal techniques, such as shoveling and plowing.