Snowfall may be beautiful and festive to look at, but the aftermath can cause havoc to walkways or driveways. And in our bid to keep these ice-free and safe to walk on, we often turn to our regular de-icer sprays or rock salt to effectively remove snow.
However, using too much rock salt can actually do more harm than good. This is because it’s a very corrosive substance that could cause damage to concrete paths or anything metal. Not to mention, cause potential harm to plants or trees nearby.
I’ve just discovered a rather quirky hack that can help to melt snow and ice without being so abrasive. What’s more, this cost-effective item can be found in your kitchen and also considered a healthy drink. So, how does incorporating beet juice work to keep your walkways ice-free?
How beet juice is good for melting snow
Essentially, once beet juice is added to salt brine, it helps to lower the ice's freezing point to below -4 °F from 14 °F. This is thanks to the carbohydrates or sugars in beet wastewater, which also helps to reduce the amount of chloride applied on the surface.
Now, if you’re imagining people literally throwing beet juice onto their walkways, you’ll be mistaken. Plus, beet juice won’t work on its own and still needs to be mixed with salt for it to work well, and be less damaging to concrete.
In fact, many cities and states have already been using a beet-infused solution as a quick de-icer alternative and to help reduce the corrosive effects of salt on roads. Additionally, the sticky nature of beet juice ensures salt is kept on the road or paths, preventing it from being scattered everywhere.
Another benefit of beets and salt combined is that the beet juice actually enhances the salt's effectiveness by lowering its melting point for snow and ice, helping it to melt more quickly.
Luckily, you don’t have to buy gallons of beet juice from your grocery store, as there are commercial beet juice solutions available in stores or online. And if you’re worried about unsightly stains left on your walkways, these products are completely non-staining solutions. So you don’t have to worry about what the neighbors will think!
Another easy option is to make a homemade de-icer using just water and a couple of household ingredients. Combine half a gallon of warm water with six drops of dish soap and a quarter cup of rubbing alcohol. The alcohol has a lower freezing temperature than water, making this a key ingredient for your homemade de-icer.
Then pour or spray the solution over snow and ice to remove the build-up of ice on walkways. Once this melts, sweep away the excess water to prevent new ice from forming.
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