Homemade Ice Melt | The Easy Way to Melt Ice You Never Knew About (It’s Not Salt!)

Sick of shoveling all that ice and snow on your front porch? Learn how to make this homemade ice melt first before reaching for that saltshaker.

RELATED: Walking On Ice Safety Tips | Winter Survival Safety Tips

Homemade Ice Melt | The Easiest Way to Melt Ice You Never Knew About (No Salt Required!)

What You Need:

• 1/2 gallon of hot water
• 6 drops of dish soap
• 1/4 cup of 70% rubbing alcohol
• Bucket or another container
• Spray bottle

1. Give the Container a Good Clean

Before making your ice melt, make sure your container is thoroughly clean, especially if you’re reusing it. This ensures there aren’t any chemicals present that can react with the solution.

2. Combine Water, Dish Soap, and Rubbing Alcohol

Combine your hot water, dish soap, and rubbing alcohol in one bucket and stir until they’re combined. We recommend using isopropyl alcohol if you have it as its freezing point is lower compared to ethyl alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol has a lower freezing point compared to water. This melts the water it mixes with since the overall temperature won’t be cold enough to freeze the alcohol.

The dish soap, on the other hand, helps ensure the ice doesn’t form as soon as the alcohol evaporates, keeping your surfaces ice-free for longer periods.

3. Pour Contents of the Bucket on Your Driveway

Next, pour the contents of your ice melt solution on your driveway to where the snow is. The snow should melt and bubble in contact with the solution.

4. Scrape Leftover Ice

Use a shovel to chip off the remaining ice the solution didn’t melt. This should be a much easier task once your homemade ice melt has done its job.

RELATED: How To Melt Snow For Survival | 5 Ways

5. Create More Solution and Pour in a Spray Bottle

Next, create another batch of the de-icing solution, but this time use lukewarm water for your car’s windshield. Using hot water on freezing glass can lead to cracks on glass, especially when scraping off ice from them.

Use a funnel to pour your homemade ice melt in a spray bottle. Give it a good shake when necessary.

6. Spray Your Windshield with the Ice Melt

Next, spray down the solution on your glass windows, then use a squeegee or a piece of cloth to wipe off the melting ice. Don’t use your windshield wipers to do this as it can damage the rubber parts on the wiper.

Ensure to only apply the homemade ice melt on the glass as the rubbing alcohol can fade the paint on your car.

Learn how to make the world's best ice melt spreader with DIY with Dave:

While salt’s the old standby when it comes to melting off the frost, this solution of dish soap, water, rubbing alcohol is much more efficient at melting ice, especially on larger surfaces.

Clear your pavements and windshields with this homemade ice melt and enjoy more ice-free days ahead.

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Have you tried this homemade ice melt? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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