There’s a natural method to melt ice quickly that won’t harm your garden or driveway – and it actually works better than salt.
When ice appears, it can be a hazard
The UK is bracing for plenty of wet weather this week, meaning driveways and other spots in your garden are about to turn treacherous and slippery once ice starts to form.
Ice poses real dangers as it can lead to sprains, broken bones or even head injuries if you take a tumble, not to mention making reversing out of a driveway absolutely terrifying.
Plenty of people scatter rock salt around their property to dissolve ice, but it can ruin the lawn and cause stone to deteriorate, making it more likely for patios or driveways to crack.
However, Julia Billen, the owner of Warmly Yours, has reportedly revealed there are more natural options that can melt ice just as effectively as salt, and they can be discovered in your kitchen or garden shed.
As noted by the Express, Julia said: “Coffee grounds and fertiliser contain nitrogen, which lowers the melting point of ice, and they can also act as a traction material. Vinegar does the same with acetic acid.”
Icy falls can be harmful for the whole family
How to clear ice from driveways and gardens
Fertilisers, particularly nitrogen-based urea varieties, will reduce the freezing point of water, helping ice thaw rapidly even when it’s bitterly cold outdoors.
All you need to do is scatter it over the ice in a fine layer, pour some room-temperature water over it, and it should break down the ice swiftly.
It’s worth noting that excessive fertiliser on a lawn or near flowerbeds could trigger overfertilisation, but if you apply a modest amount on soil it should be acceptable. Coffee grounds are less potent than fertiliser as it takes longer for the ice to thaw, but it will also provide plenty of grip to make your garden far less treacherous.
Coffee beans can help to de-ice the footpath
To use coffee grounds, simply scatter them over icy areas in your garden, and then tread over them gently to press into the ice.
It works best to prevent slipping on the ground but it should be noted that it can take a while for it to fully melt the ice if you do not combine it with another ingredient.
White vinegar is acidic which also helps dissolve ice at a very rapid rate but make sure to blend it with water. It is non-toxic but large quantities of acetic acid can damage a plant, so make sure to dilute equally with water, spray it on the ice, and it should disappear without harming your garden.
If you are tackling really thick ice then it can help to try all these methods together to melt it as quickly as possible, but just be cautious near delicate plants as too much could affect the soil.
All of these items are natural ways to clear ice in cold weather so you can keep your driveway, patio and garden free without having to spend loads of money this winter.
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