How to Melt Snow on Driveway: 5 Amazing DIY Tricks

There are simple yet effective means on how to melt snow on the driveway. We’re talking about using common household items instead of expensive gizmos.

Read on and prepare to be amazed!

RELATED: How To Melt Snow For Survival | 5 Ways

5 Homemade Hacks for an Ice-Free Driveway

Click here to jump to the infographic

1. How to Melt Snow on Driveway Using Hot Water

It’s nice to have a state-of-the-art melting system installed in your yard. But not everyone has disposable cash to buy one.

Instead of investing in an expensive anti-snow gizmo, why not make use of what you have? Your hot water spigot, for instance, is an effective ice buster.

How to melt snow using your indoor hot water system? Check this out:

What You Need:

• Sprayer hose
• Indoor hot water spigot

Instructions:

Step 1. Connect the sprayer hose to your hot water spigot.

Step 2. Set the temperature of the spigot hot enough to melt snow in seconds.

Step 3. Spray away!

Note: For more melting power, use a separate container filled with hot water, soap, and rubbing alcohol.

2. How to Melt Snow on Driveway Using Rubbing Alcohol

Salt is a common material used in melting snow. The problem is, it can cause serious damage to concrete.

An excellent household item that can replace salt is rubbing alcohol. Ever wonder why commercial deicers contain alcohol?

It is because the freezing point of alcohol is extremely low. This makes it an effective yet cheap deicer.

Here is how to melt snow on the driveway using alcohol, soap, and hot water:

What You Need:

• 1 tablespoon of dish soap
• ½ gallon of hot water
• ¾ cup of 70% rubbing alcohol solution
• Ladle
• Bucket

Instructions:

Step 1. Get a bucket and fill it with ½ gallon of hot water.

Step 2. Pour ¾ cup of rubbing alcohol solution.

Step 3. Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap.

Step 4. Mix thoroughly using a ladle.

Step 5. Pour the mixture generously onto your snow-laden driveway and watch the ice melt away.

Note: Add extra precaution in handling the hot mixture because it can damage your skin. Make sure that you prepare a first aid kit in case of emergency.

3. How to Melt Snow on Driveway with Magnesium Chloride

If you’re a Northeasterner, magnesium chloride is a staple in your household. Among other usages, you use this to remove ice in your vicinity.

For those who are not in the know, magnesium chloride is an effective anti-freeze agent. It can melt ice at about 15 degrees Celsius.

Compared to calcium chloride, this chemical compound is much safer to use. Not only that it’s environment-friendly but it also poses no hazard to your pets.

Here’s how to melt snow on the driveway using magnesium chloride:

What You Need:

• 1 bottle of magnesium chloride in pellet form
• 1 cup of hot coffee

Instructions:

Step 1. Pour a generous amount of magnesium chloride over icy areas in your driveway.

Step 2. Disperse the pellets evenly until they are in uniform distribution.

Step 3. Enjoy your coffee as you watch the ice melt.

RELATED: Deicer Products At Home To Survive The Freezing Weather

4. How to Melt Snow on Driveway Using Pickle Juice

Pickles go well with sandwiches but do you know that it also melts ice? Well, at least the juice that comes with it.

Pickle juice is a simple chemical-free means to get rid of ice. Since it is safe, you can also apply it on surfaces as frozen windshields or door handles.

Here’s how to melt snow on the driveway using pickle juice:

What You Need:

• 1 gallon of pickle juice
• 1 cup of table or sea salt
• 1/2 gallon of warm water Bucket

Instructions:

Step 1. Pour the content of the pickle jar into the bucket.

Step 2. Mix it with salt and warm water.

Step 3. Pour the mixture over ice field surfaces.

Pro tip: You can put the mixture in a spray bottle. This allows you to spray the solution directly on other hard-to-reach areas.

5. How to Melt Snow on Driveway Using Baking Soda

Baking soda works the same way as salt. Like salt, it has a chemical property that could lower the freezing point of water.

Unlike alcohol though, baking soda is not as effective in extremely freezing weather.

But if you just want to get rid of that annoying snow build-up in your driveway, this will do.

How to melt snow on the driveway using baking soda in 3 simple steps:

What You Need:

• Baking soda
• Sand

Instructions:

Step 1. Sprinkle baking soda on your driveway. Step 2.

Pour layers of sand over baking soda and snow to provide traction when the ice melts.

Step 3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you get rid of all the snow.

Here's an infographic guide that you can use. Feel free to download, save and share it with your loved ones:

There are many ways on how to melt snow on the driveway. But these simple hacks are great options if you want to get the job done without spending a lot of money. Stay warm!

[poll id=”179″]

What’s the most uncommon household hack that you have tried to melt ice? We are more than curious to learn from you in the comment section below!

Up Next:

• Ultimate Emergency Essentials Guide For All Kinds Of Emergencies
• How to Start a Fire in The Snow
• How to Make Mead | DIY Mead In 6 Steps

Don’t forget to stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!