3 Ingenious Ways to Make Snow Shoveling More Tolerable

One squirt some cooking oil on your shovel

Snow that sticks to your shovel makes an already difficult task much more so. This hack will let you avoid it: Lightly spray it with nonstick cooking oil to make snow slide easily off your shovel. (WD-40 is a hazardous spray lubricant that can be used instead.) No more wasting time clearing snow from your snowblower.
2 Prepare a Tarp Before the Snowfall

If you prefer shortcuts, this technique, dubbed “the laziest way imaginable” to clear snow by an “Instructables” guide, is right up your alley. Place a tarp on your walkway the day before a snowstorm is forecast. Pull out the tarp once the snow has stopped falling and you have an immediately cleared walkway. (A word of caution: If you’re concerned about pedestrians tripping on your tarp, include a sign or utilize this technique in your backyard walkway.)

A tarp, firewood, string, and some preparation work are required for this technique. Use firewood to weigh down your tarp before the storm, so it doesn’t fly away in the wind! — and tie the twine to the tarp as well as a shovel in your yard that is standing erect. The shovel will be used to remove the snow-covered tarp.

Although this approach is quicker than shoveling, it does necessitate the use of personnel. A cubic foot of snow, after all, might weigh anything from 7 to 20 pounds. So don’t go too ambitious with the size of your tarp; if it’s full of snow, you might not be able to draw it.

3 Make a De-icing Cocktail at Home

De-icers help remove snow by cutting through icy layers that a shovel can’t reach. However, a simple solution should be simple for your home as well. Many commercial de-icers have a high level of abrasion.

Commercial ice-melting compounds such as Magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium chloride (salt) pollute a place. In addition to sidewalks and driveways, they are necessitating costly repairs.

Make your de-icer with rubbing alcohol or vinegar for a superior solution. You’ll also save money. Melters sold in stores usually cost $8 or more. You’ll save time not having to go to the hardware store.

To make ice and snow removal easier before a storm, use vinegar:

  • Combine three parts vinegar and 1 part water in a mixing bowl.
  • Before a storm, spray or pour softly (you still want to avoid runoff onto your landscaping).

After a storm, keep the sidewalks and steps from icing:

  • Combine two parts rubbing alcohol and 1 part water in a mixing bowl.
  • To reduce runoff, use this method.
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