Forget salt — this one natural item is the key to…

Forget salt — this one natural item is the key to de-icing your patio

As temperatures continue to drop this winter, you'll have the inevitable task of navigating around icy paths and patios. And while we often rely on rock salt or expensive de-icer to quickly dissolve frost, there is one kitchen staple that can do the trick.

Not only is baking soda a natural item that's free from toxic chemicals, but it’s an easy, cheap alternative to prevent those nasty slips and falls. So if you ever run out of your usual de-icer and need a quick fix, try this hack to help keep your patio and paths clear.

Banish frost with baking soda

A spoonful of baking soda next to a spilled jar and a cork lid (Image credit: Shutterstock)

According to an expert, baking soda is a great way to de-ice small areas of frost, such as patios or paths. This is because it contains minerals that can effectively reduce the freezing point of ice and speed up its melting in no time.

Traditionally used as a key ingredient in cakes and bakes, baking soda has now become a great, multi-purpose household staple. Alongside the many things you didn't know you could clean with baking soda, you can also put it to good use on a frosty morning.

“Baking soda is also effective on driveways as it works like traditional salt to lower the freezing point of water, which melts ice,” states Chrissie Handley, de-icing solutions expert at Online Rock Salt.

“It's not as effective as regular de-icing salt, however, as de-icing salt will lower the freezing point faster and at lower temperatures. But if you‘re looking to de-ice a small area of ice or snow and only have baking soda available, it will do the trick just fine.”

How to use baking soda as a de-icer

A car on a driveway which is icy (Image credit: Shutterstock)

So what’s the best method of using baking soda to de-ice a frosty patio? “You can just sprinkle it over your patio or driveway (you may need to use more of it if the area is really icy!) or use your hand to spread it evenly so that it’s coating the entire area,” suggests Handley.

“It may take longer to melt than standard de-icing salt, so it’s best done when you have time to let it melt or apply it as a pre-emptive method.”

Another method is to blend about half a cup of baking soda with 4.5 liters of warm water and stir until fully dissolved. Then pour or spray your homemade solution directly onto icy surfaces, such as patios or yard walkways. This should help to melt the ice while preventing the thawed ice from freezing over again.

In addition, using baking soda is considered to be less harsh on outdoor surfaces than traditional salt. Unlike the typical salts found in commercial de-icers, baking soda is less alkaline, which means it won't damage materials like bricks, concrete, or metal.

“It’s a more ‘eco-friendly’ DIY method of de-icing, as it’s a readily available household item. And can be less harsh on surfaces like concrete, asphalt, and metal, whereas salt tends to corrode these materials over time.”

So the next time you want to quickly tackle a frosty patio, baking soda could lend a helping hand this winter.

Plus, find out what this other unusual cheap alternative is to de-ice your driveway in minutes.