Wintery weather can pose a threat to your employees and customers. If ice accumulates on your business’s walkways and parking lots, you’re putting everyone at risk for accidents and injuries. However, ice removal products are sometimes out of your budget’s scope. Let’s look at some alternative ways to cut through ice and reduce the risk of injury on your small business’s premises.
1. Fertilizer
When you’re in a pinch, what you have lying around in your shed or garage may do the trick. If you have some leftover fertilizer from the spring, give it a shot. Many fertilizer mixes contain ammonium sulfate, potassium chloride, or urea, which can melt ice.
2. Coffee Grounds
Coffee lovers, when you’re done enjoying your morning cup of brew, sprinkle your coffee grounds on an icy patch. Coffee contains nitrogen, which lowers the melting point of ice.
3. Hot Water
Need to de-ice a stubborn icy patch in a flash? A pot full of hot water may do the trick. Keep in mind that if it’s super cold outside, this tactic could backfire by creating more ice.
4. Rubbing Alcohol
Combine rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle for targeted ice removal. Alcohol has a low freezing point and can melt ice quickly.
5. Kitty Litter
While kitty litter will not melt ice on your surfaces, it can provide traction on walkways or behind car wheels.
6. Sand
If you have a bag of sand on hand, you can use it to create friction on slippery walkways. Like kitty litter, sand will not melt ice–it works for traction only.
7. Baking Soda
When you’re in a bind, look no further than your baking cupboard. Baking soda can help melt ice and provide much-needed traction.
8. Beet Juice
If you need a break from your beet juice regimen (super healthy, BTW), pour it on an icy walkway instead. Its sugars will lower the melting point of the ice it encounters.
9. Vinegar
Not only is vinegar a natural, effective cleaning agent, but now you can add ice-melter to its list of talents. The acid in vinegar breaks down ice and promotes melting. Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray away ice on your surfaces.
Did you learn something new today? We sure did. If you’re looking for more conventional ways to manage ice, allow us to point you to our snow removal category. You’ll find snow blowers, shovels, ice melt, ice scrapers, and a slew of other tools to keep snow and ice at bay.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.