You can keep your driveway clear of ice with one kitchen table item (Image: Getty)
Drivers are being urged to clear frost and ice from their driveways this winter using one common household item.
With fears that more freezing Arctic blasts and even could be on the way in December, households with cars on the drive especially are being told how to keep their paths clear and their vehicles out of harm’s way without having to buy any expensive products or specialist tools.
Paving patio expert Simon Wardle, from , says home owners can remove ice from ‘in minutes’ with items you already have knocking about at home.
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First, straight from your kitchen table, you can use vinegar to help keep your driveway clear and safe to walk or drive on.
Simon said: “A mixture of 50 percent warm water and 50 percent vinegar provides an excellent eco-friendly alternative. While this method may take a bit longer to work compared to rock salt or rubbing alcohol, it is safe for the environment and an accessible option for many homeowners.
“The convenience of having both ingredients readily available makes this an attractive choice for those who want a more natural solution to ice removal.”
If you have some posh rock salt in the cupboard, this can also work.
He added: “When applied to ice, rock salt begins to work almost immediately by lowering the freezing point of water. It can take about 15 to 30 minutes to start seeing noticeable melting, especially when combined with warm water, but its effectiveness will begin to decrease as the temperature drops below around -3.9°C.”
But you should avoid hot water as it’s actually prone to damaging your driveway permanently.
He added: “Pouring hot water on a thin layer of ice may seem like an easy solution but it can lead to potential hazards and damage. For driveways made of asphalt or concrete, it’s especially important to avoid using hot water on ice thicker than half an inch, as the extreme temperature difference can cause the ice to crack or shatter, potentially damaging the surface and putting you in an unsafe situation.
“Although hot water can quickly melt ice, it can also cool down and freeze again in other areas, creating an invisible, slippery type of ice, increasing the risk of injury.
“Boiling water can also splash, posing a burn risk to anyone nearby. Safer alternatives, such as de-icers or mechanical methods, are recommended to effectively manage thicker ice without these risks.”