Spreading this item on icy outdoor surfaces can act as both a natural de-icer and grit, helping prevent slips while being safe for pets and plants
08:00, 09 Jan 2026Updated 08:29, 09 Jan 2026
This cheap item will safely de-ice your home pavings (Image: Ali Majdfar via Getty Images)
As the weather takes a treacherous turn, it’s crucial to keep your patios, driveways and roads safe – and it needn’t be a daunting task.
Mother Nature is throwing down the gauntlet this winter, particularly for those needing to venture out for work or other essentials. Stepping outside becomes a veritable obstacle course, as you strive to avoid slipping on icy slabs, patios, and driveways or skidding in your motor. When the mercury plummets and ice encrusts your outdoor areas, it’s tempting to reach for whatever de-icing products are at hand, but not all of them do the job best.
You’ll want to make sure you’re not wreaking havoc on your slate, slabs or other paving around your property in the process. DG Health’s website advises that when it comes to de-icers, less is more. All you need is just enough to break up the ice before you clear it away by hand.
It’s important to keep your outdoor paving safe in this weather (Image: PA)
This approach minimises any damage to both your outdoor spaces and the environment, protecting plants and wildlife that might cross your path. They also suggest some alternative de-icing methods, one of which involves a common household item you’ve probably got stashed in your cupboard.
These methods are all safe for slate paving in particular, which can become a real hazard in gardens during the frosty season. Scattering coffee grounds on the surface not only acts as a de-icer but also provides a natural form of grit to prevent slips. Plus, they’re biodegradable, so you won’t have a clean-up headache afterwards, and they’re much kinder to any nearby pets or plants.
Coffee grounds can work as a natural grit and de-icer(Image: Alamy)
Another eco-friendly alternative is sand, which can also offer good grip without wreaking havoc on the ground or surroundings. A bit more out of the box, DG Health also proposes whipping up a concoction of beetroot juice and salt brine as a natural de-icer, as it’s ace at lowering water’s freezing point and is gentler on your paving.
For slate paving in particular, it’s vital to clear snowfall safely and regularly, ideally with a plastic shovel to prevent metal scratching the surface. By pushing the snow off the slabs, rather than hoisting it up, you’re putting less pressure on the slab, and brushing it away before it gets a chance to turn icy is the best way to dodge a real hazard zone.
Sealing slabs is a top tip to bear in mind before winter sets in to ensure the best ‘winter coat’, shielding not just the surface but also against the elements. Though this would need enough time to dry thoroughly before the first frost hits, so it might be something to think about for next winter.
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