Your garage doorway, hidden under a layer of snow or ice, has become impassable.
A beautiful white coat covers the sidewalk in front of your house, while clearing snow in front of your home is an obligation.
But now, you don't have or no longer have road salt, or you don't want to use this product which has an impact on flora and the environment (including soil salinization).
What are the alternative solutions?
To discover
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Table salt
Road salt is a chemical compound that mainly contains sodium chloride (NaCi).
Also, you can use table salt instead as it also contains sodium chloride.
Spread it after scraping the snowy surface with a broom or brush and a snow shovel.
Be aware that salt has the particularity of being corrosive.
Be careful, when you spread it, not to put too much, nor near the borders, as you risk hurting your plants.
Good to know
Be aware that if you have a pet, road salt can be dangerous or even fatal for dogs if ingested.
By licking their paws, for example, they can swallow salt, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Likewise, the classic snow removal product can damage their skin via the pads.
Coffee grounds
To desalinate or deglaze a surface in winter, you can also opt for dried coffee grounds.
You may already use it in your garden as a natural fertilizer, to nourish the soil, the plants... Effective, it also has the advantage of being ecological.
Sand
This solution has also proven its effectiveness.
Sand actually provides better grip because it makes the surface rougher for the soles or tires of your vehicle.
Don't hesitate to add it regularly.
Be careful, the sand is also dirty, make sure to wipe your soles well when you get home, after having spread it on the ground.
Also note that you will have to sweep the ground to remove all the grains of sand after the snow has melted.
Good to know
Sand is more effective when temperatures are mild.
The ashes
How to recycle wood ashes from a wood stove or fireplace?
Quite simply by spreading them in winter on your garden paths, on the sidewalk, to avoid dangerous slipping in the snow.
They also have the particularity of hastening the melting of ice.
Good to know
Be sure to only spread this powder (like the other solutions mentioned) in areas where people pass through.
Elsewhere, leave the snow because its coat protects plants from frost and ice.
Wood shavings, sawdust
You can also choose to spread small pieces of wood or sawdust on snow-covered surfaces.
Both can also be used for compost.
They will have the same function and the same principle as the ashes: to melt the snow and ice by warming the ground.
Not to mention that they are biodegradable.
What are the other possibilities?
Granules of volcanic origin
Snow removal mats
Beet juice (mixture of beet juice + water + salt)