7 ways to melt sidewalk ice without salt
By Amber Murray
In researching this article, I have learned a few surprising things about conventional ice melt product alternatives. For example, leftover pickle juice spray is an effective, non-corrosive de-icing pre-treatment for concrete and steps. Also, using coffee grounds on existing ice will not only create a non-slip surface, it may also melt the ice due to its dark colour. That “eco” alternatives to ice melt are not very “eco” at all (yikes).
But we should start at the beginning. Why do we require ice melt products at all? Particularly in Lethbridge, where snowfalls are few and far between and the frequent warm winds do all the ice melting for us? Despite our limited snowfall, freezing and thawing through the winter often means that the little snow we do get quickly turns to ice. Furthermore, if ice has formed and the temperature takes a dive south of -15C, there is little to remove the ice but chipping it away.
So, how do we deal with this? No matter what, avoiding residential ice starts with one thing: physically clearing snow. As soon as that snow is compacted (by walking or driving on it), especially when it is heavily saturated to begin with, it turns to ice. We’ve all seen it in our neighbourhoods and have had to avoid sidewalk sections that become treacherous after a snowfall. For many of us, active and able, it’s no problem to crunch through the boulevard and walk around the icy sidewalk on the road (which was cleared and therefore not icy), but what about folks with mobility issues? Ice or snow, they cannot easily (if at all) negotiate the pedestrian landscape unless it is tended in the winter.
For those of you who are good neighbours, you likely and reluctantly turn to conventional ice melt. Nobody wants a grandpa knocked out in front of their house, right? But salt comes with its own problems. One teaspoon of salt can pollute 19 litres of water and the salts that melt/break up ice also damage dog paws and surrounding vegetation. If you are concerned about using ice-melt, here are some options:
Eco-ice melt. These products claim to use “refined” salt and organic additives, or they have a coating of calcium-magnesium-acetate on rock salt. In the end, they are still salt. And they are very expensive. They may be a solution for very cold weather (they will work below -15C), but they all have the same problems of sodium-chloride based, less-expensive products. The main advantage is that they have no cleanup requirements whatsoever: just sprinkle and walk away (likely why they are so pervasive). Pros: they act just like conventional ice-melt products with an “eco” label. Cons: “Eco” may be greenwashing. They are costly.
Brine pre-treatments. this might be the solution you need if you want to keep your walkways both environmental and safe, but you are not able to shovel directly after a wet snowfall. Spraying down your steps and sidewalks with pickle juice, beet juice, or home-made brine solution prior to an upcoming snowfall or freezing rain event can help keep the ice from forming. Pros: Reusing of food waste. Works in warmer temperatures and ice-forming snow events. Cons: Require a sprayer that can handle particulates (like a backpack or handheld pump-sprayer normally used for summer fertiliser). Organic brines will cease to work at about -15C (so not great for the super cold events).
Urea. It’s pure nitrogen (often used as a fertiliser), comes in granule format, and is inexpensive. Pros: it’s cheap and won’t hurt dog paws. Cons: it will contaminate water and can burn vegetation.
Alfalfa meal. This might be something you have in the shed from the gardening season. It’s a better choice than urea, as it is lower in nitrogen and won’t harm plants. Pros: it’s multi-season use, grainy to provide grip. Cons: It’s an expensive soil additive for throwing on concrete and, again, doesn’t work at exceedingly low temperatures (but will work in an emergency).
Coffee grounds. This endless (at least in my house) resource creates traction, is dark in colour AND contains trace nitrogen, so will melt ice in sunshine at warmer, sub-zero temperatures. Pros: reduces food waste, creates traction, tends to be readily available. Cons: Won’t melt ice at low temps. May require cleanup and be tracked into the house and (white) carpets.
Fireplace ash. This will provide traction on icy areas and melt the ice due to its dark colour. Pros: free, cheap, available if you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace. Cons: absolutely filthy. You’ll track it in the house.
Sand. Sand provides traction on ice and compacted snow. Does little to melt ice but will make it walkable. Pros: Cheap, effective for cold, slippery surfaces. Cons: can clog municipal drains, will need to be swept up after an ice event, and can turn mucky during melt, leading to a return to slippery surfaces.
Pine shavings/Straw. effective traction and great to have on hand for composting. Again, these items don’t melt ice, just make for safe passage at low temperatures. Pros: multi-season use (garden mulch, animal bedding, compost carbon additive), cheap, smells great. Sticks to concrete even after melting. Cons: Messy and will require clean up (but you can just toss it in compost or throw it directly in the garden).
Again, there is no substitute for clearing snow to avoid ice formation on walkways. That clearing also makes your property safe and navigable for neighbours with mobility issues. Thanks for making Lethbridge safe for everyone, and protecting our water!