If you live in a cold climate that frequently experiences freezing temperatures, you’re probably familiar with deicing strategies.

For decades, people have been using salt to melt ice on roads, pavements, and decks. However, experts have found that excessive salt use is actually harmful to infrastructure and to the environment as a whole. Check out these alternatives if you’re wondering what to use instead of road salt to melt ice around your home.

Sand

One common material that works as an effective replacement for road salt is sand. Sand doesn’t melt snow directly, but it does absorb sunlight, which speeds up the melting process. It also provides traction, so you won’t slip and slide all over your driveway while you wait for the ice to thaw.

Kitty Litter

If you have a cat, you probably have access to another excellent salt alternative: kitty litter. Kitty litter works a lot like sand as a deicer in that it provides traction to create a nonslip surface.

Sprinkle some litter on your driveway and deck to create a barrier between your feet and the elements.

Vinegar

If you’re still looking for something to use instead of road salt to melt ice, go to your pantry and pull out your bottle of vinegar. Vinegar contains citric acid, which is incredibly useful in melting ice and snow.

Image Source: unsplash.com

You might need to reapply it to your slick surfaces a few times, but vinegar is a good salt alternative since it’s easily accessible.

Beet Juice

If you’re looking for more unique ways to deice the surfaces around your home, look no further than beet juice. Beet juice contains sugars that naturally lower the melting temperature of ice.

The best part about this salt replacement is that it’s environmentally friendly and that it won’t damage your yard or patio.

Pickle Brine

Did you know you can even use pickle brine to thaw ice building up around your home? If you’re trying to remove snow from your deck or driveway, using a solution such as pickle brine dilutes salt to a more eco-friendly level. Pickle brine also prevents snow from sticking to surfaces, making it easier to shovel and safer to handle.

Society is shifting away from salt to control icy conditions, so you should follow suit. Keep your home safe from corrosive deicers by using an alternative that’s easy to find and simple to manage.