Today we have this list from Big Green Purse detailing the Top Ten Ways to De-Ice your driveway. For your convenience on this blog, I’ve narrowed down the list to the easiest (and most affordable!) options on the list.

“What’s wrong with rock salt?
* Excess salts build up in the soil, just as they do with chemical fertilizers.
* Salt residue prevents plants from absorbing moisture and nutrients.
* Salts can leach heavy metals, which eventually make their way into water supplies.
* Salt on grass or sidewalks close to roads can attract animals, which may be hit by cars if they’re licking the salt from the ground.
* Plus, salt can burn our pets if it lodges in their paws.
Yes, salt does effectively melt snow. But is there a better way?”
1) Shovel! Or, if you are unable, pay a neighbourhood kid a few bucks to help. If you would rather use a snow-blower, buy an electric one. Gas models make noise and air pollution in greater amounts.
2) Scatter sand or birdseed for traction. It won’t melt the snow, but it’ll help you walk. Additionally, with birdseed, you’re doing a good deed for the animals!
3) Scrimp on de-icer!!!!! “Remember, the job of a de-icer is to loosen ice from below to make it easier to shovel or plow. Don’t pile on the de-icer thinking you’ll remove the ice completely. You won’t. The recommended application rate for rock salt is around a handful per square yard you treat. Calcium chloride will treat about 3 square yards per handful.”
4) If at all possible, avoid salt, especially potassium chloride.
5) Don’t use cat litter or wood ash. Neither melt ice or snow, and they will make a big mess when everything melts. Cat litter is also usually full of unsavoury chemicals.
6) Avoid nitrogen-based ureas!!! They are expensive, inefficient, and ineffectual at low temperatures. Also, they make for very bad runoff!
7) “Wear boots that have a solid toe and bottom treads to help increase your grip on icy surfaces. Or try "YakTrax," lightweight, flexible rubber treads studded with steel coil grips so you won't fall. The YakTrax slip over the soles of your shoes like snow chains slip over tires. $19.95 - $29.95 - kids', women's, and men's sizes available.”

If you are in the mood for a giant upgrade, or if you are in the process of redoing your driveway, here is the most expensive and involved tip:
“Try a 'snow melt mat.' If you’re installing a new driveway or replacing an old one, lay down electric wires to heat the driveway from below and radiate heat upwards. Yes, you pay for electricity, so it’s not as “eco” as shoveling by hand. On the other hand, it may be better than using chemicals that pollute the water and endanger plants and pets. It would cost someone living in the Washington, DC area (where I live) about $14 in electricity each time the system was used – though that doesn’t include the cost of installing the system. Electricity costs will vary by region. (NOTE: I’m not recommending you tear up a perfectly good driveway to put in a snow melt system!)”