Skip The Salt And Use This Reliable DIY Non-Toxic Ice Melt Instead
Why not skip the chemicals this winter season and make your own non-toxic ice melt solution at home?
Nothing is more beautiful than the bright morning sunshine reflecting the crystalline beauty of ice-covered tree limbs and fresh-fallen snow. But step outside, and the first thing you’ll do is start snow and ice removal to make a clear pathway for walking and preventing falls.
After shoveling or plowing, ice melts are often applied to keep ice from forming in high traffic areas. While traditional ice melts work quickly, their harsh chemicals and salt are damaging to porches, driveway, outdoor water sources and plants. Pets can get pellets lodged in their paws causing burns, or become sick by licking or swallowing the pellets in trying to remove them. Ice melt chemical residues also find their way inside your home on the bottoms of paws, shoes and boots, polluting your indoor environment as well.
Why not skip the chemicals this winter season and make your own non-toxic ice melt solution at home instead? It works within minutes, and only needs 3 ingredients you probably already have at home.
- 1 gallon of warm water (not boiling)
- 12 drops of dish soap
- 2 ounces of rubbing alcohol
Simply combine the ingredients in a bucket or a watering can for the easiest application in applying to icy spots. This solution works because rubbing alcohol has a lower freezing point than water, meaning it not only melts existing ice, but also limits refreezing. The dish soap acts as an emulsifier for the water and alcohol.
It is safe for use on all surfaces, including glass (car windows), stone work, wood, asphalt or bricks. While pure alcohol is damaging to plants, residue from this heavily diluted solution would be minimal, and far less than that of harsh chemicals or salt.
Sand and vinegar are also often touted as alternative ice melts, but save yourself the aggravation of trying them. While sand can provide traction on ice, it won’t significantly lower water’s melting point like alcohol, and won’t melt ice. It’s also very messy being tracked into the house. While vinegar does technically melt ice, the effect is tiny and not suitable for large areas like a porch or walkway. In addition, your porch will smell like vinegar for a while.
Enjoy this winter’s cache of fresh snowfall beauty, while keeping in mind the hours of sunlight are indeed growing longer each and every day.
Carol Bedrosian is the founder and publisher of Spirit of Change since 1987. She can be reached at carol@spiritofchange.org.
Find holistic Chiropractors in the Spirit of Change online Alternative Health Directory.
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