How to Deice a Driveway Without Polluting Water

Deice without polluting your property.

Slippery driveways are a winter hazard. However, commercial deicing salts create new hazards. As the melting ice drains away, the salts go with it, polluting local waterways and even leaking into groundwater. Household salt is no better. Freshwater ecosystems are not improved by the addition of salt, which in the wrong place, acts as a toxin in its own right. It also is dangerous to vegetation and local wildlife. Harmless alternatives exist to help keep your driveway clear without polluting your local environment.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Sand, grit or birdseed
• Pan or bucket

Instructions

1. Watch for falls of snow or sleet and shovel as much slush and snow off your driveway as you can before animals, people and vehicles compact it into ice. Clear your driveway first thing in the morning.

2. Heat water on the stove or run hot water from a tap into a bucket and pour the water over small areas of solid ice. Shovel away the semi-melted ice. This method is quite effective on short driveways, although it is time-consuming.

3. Scatter sand, fine grit or birdseed over the driveway. This lets tires get a grip on icy surfaces; it also helps prevent people from slipping and falling.

4. Check weather forecasts daily to be prepared with shovel and sand when a snowfall is predicted.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use wood ash, which may add to the slipperiness.

• Never use hot water to deice a car. Tepid water might help, but hot water could crack the windscreen or body.

References

• The Daily Green; 9 Eco-Friendly Ways to De-Ice Your Driveway; Diane MacEachen; January 2009
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Green De-Icing Techniques; Lina Younes; March 2009