As the UK experiences a mix of rain and snow, with temperatures dipping below zero, it's crucial to ensure the pavement around your home is safe.
The winter season brings with it the risk of icy conditions, which can lead to slips and falls resulting in injuries. If ice is making your home hazardous, there's a straightforward and cost-effective trick you can use to de-ice your property without resorting to harmful chemicals.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is an affordable and easily accessible mineral that can effectively lower the freezing point of ice, accelerating the melting process.
The experts at Lottomart advocate for the use of baking soda because, unlike traditional salts used in commercial de-icers, baking soda is less alkaline. This means it's gentler on surfaces and won't corrode materials like bricks, concrete, or metal.
To utilise this solution, combine about half a cup of baking soda with 4 and a half litres of warm water until the baking soda is fully dissolved, reports the Express.
Once dissolved, spray the mixture on driveways, paths and patios to melt ice quickly and efficiently.
To begin creating the solution, collect 100g of baking soda (approximately half a cup) and 4.5 litres of warm water.
Start by mixing the baking soda with the warm water in a large container, stirring until the soda is completely dissolved.
Once mixed, pour or spray the solution directly onto icy surfaces such as driveways, pathways, garden walkways, or patios.
To enhance grip and prevent the melted ice from refreezing, you can add sand to the solution once it has taken effect. This method is particularly useful on driveways or garden paths where additional traction is required, helping to minimise the risk of slips and falls.
