How to Remove Ice from a Driveway

Co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams

Last Updated: October 22, 2024

When you're facing an icy winter, you have to keep the driveway clear of ice to keep it safe. Covering the driveway in rock salt is the most common and time-tested method. Spraying the icy driveway with rubbing alcohol is also an effective way to melt the ice. Either way, be sure to shovel off any snow cover that's on top of the ice first. Also shovel again once the ice has melted to clear the resulting slush off of your driveway.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Spreading Rock Salt

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1
Clear away any snow that's on top of the ice. Using any kind of deicer is pointless if there is snow piled on the ice. Use a snow shovel to push the snow off of the ice before you do anything else. You don't have to get the snow completely off, but try to get it down to two inches (5 cm) or less.^{[1]
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- If you have a plow that attaches to a four wheeler, tractor, or snowblower, it's much faster to clear the snow this way.
Rock salt contains chemicals that are harmful to animals and plant life. When you spread the salt, make sure not to throw any on the grass or plants near your driveway. Also, make sure that your pets do not eat the salt if you have them outside.

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3
Sprinkle rock salt evenly over the ice. You'll need about four pounds (1.8 kg) of rock salt per 1000 square feet (93 square meters) of driveway. Scoop up the salt with an old plastic cup and slowly shake it out over the surface of the driveway. Don't pile too much salt on any specific spot.^{[2]
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- The freezing temperature of saltwater is lower than that of regular water, so this is the basic principle that causes salt to melt ice.
- If you have a push behind rotary spreader, like the kind you'd use for yard fertilizer, fill it with salt and use it to spread the salt quickly and evenly.
- Calcium chloride pellets and magnesium chloride pellets can be substituted and applied in the same fashion.
4
Splash some warm water around on the salt. Letting the salt sit on the ice will melt it slowly, but adding warm water to the mix will speed things up. Fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water and mist the entire area where you laid the salt. Simply pouring water from a jug would work too, but it will distribute the water unevenly.^{[3]
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- For larger areas, try using a garden hose. You can even hook it up to a sink faucet if you have the right fittings.
- This is not necessary if you are using calcium chloride pellets or magnesium chloride pellets.
Thin ice will probably melt in 5-10 minutes, but for thicker ice you'll need to wait longer. It could take up to 30 minutes or so. If it's below freezing outside, you should wait inside to keep warm. Check the ice a couple of times until you notice that it has melted.
6
Shovel the melted ice off of the driveway. To completely remove ice from the driveway, use a metal snow shovel to scrape off the slush that remains. If you leave the mostly melted ice on the driveway, there's a risk of it freezing again.^{[4]
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- You can also use a big floor squeegee to remove watery slush so that it doesn't re-freeze into a thin layer of slippery ice.
- If you are in a hurry or it's obvious that the ice has totally melted to water, don't worry about shoveling off the slush.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Rubbing Alcohol

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If you have ice on your driveway, you probably have some snow too. Any method that melts ice will melt snow, too, so you can't effectively remove the ice if you don't remove the snow first. Push it off of the driveway with a plow, snowblower, or snow shovel.
2
Fill a spray bottle with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Grab a spray bottle that's at least a quart (about one liter) or a half gallon (about 2 liters). Add the alcohol and put the spray nozzle back on. If you want to make the alcohol last longer, dilute it with water to a 50/50 ratio.^{[5]
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- Note that diluted alcohol may be slightly less effective at melting the ice.
- If you don't have a spray bottle, carefully use a sharp knife to poke four or five holes in the cap of the alcohol bottle and spray the alcohol in this way.
- If you need to treat a larger area, you could mix the alcohol and water in a small garden pump sprayer.
Walk from side to side on the driveway, spraying the alcohol as you go. If you're able to bend over, hold the bottle about a foot away from the ice so it hits it more directly. If the alcohol runs out before you cover the driveway, refill the bottle and continue.^{[6]
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After you leave the alcohol sitting on the ice for 15 to 30 minutes, grab a sturdy metal snow shovel. Break up the ice and push it off to the side of the driveway. In a pinch, you don't have to shovel it off, but you risk it freezing again.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Eco-Friendly Options

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You'll find many ice-melt mats on the market. Many are systems that are installed under the driveway, which may be more expensive. Some mats may allow you to lay them out on top of the ice to melt it.
2
Pour or spray hot water on the ice. Use a pot on the stove or an electric kettle to boil as much water as you can safely carry outside. Pour the water around on the ice to melt it. If you have a metal watering can, this is a great way to spread the water around.^{[8]
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- If you have a way to attach a hose to the hot water in your house, this is a great way to spray down the icy driveway.
- You may need to shovel the melted icy slush after you pour water on it.
Use a ratio of 1:1 of warm water and vinegar. Once you have mixed it up in the can, pour it around on the ice. Let it sit for a few minutes to start melting the ice. Use an ice chisel or a heavy metal shovel to chop up the melting ice.^{[9]
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4
Use pickle brine to melt ice. Pickle brine can melt ice as cold as -6 degrees Fahrenheit (-21 degrees Celsius). Pour the brine onto the icy area to melt the ice. Let it sit for several minutes, then use your ice chisel or a heavy metal shovel to scrape away the ice.
- Additionally, you can pre-wet your driveway with pickle brine to prevent the ice from sticking to the pavement. This makes it easier to remove.

Community Q&A

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Question

If I got ice on my driveway when I spilled my drink, and it is below -10 degrees F, how can I get it to melt before my parents come home?

Community Answer

Use snow-melting salt. The size of the ice cubes will determine how long it takes to melt with the salt.

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What is the best way to remove snow and ice from a gravel road?

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You can shovel off as much as possible, then throw rock salt over the gravel to melt the remaining snow.

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Would it be beneficial to put salt down on a driveway before an ice storm?

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Yes. You can apply salt before and after a snow storm. Use salt that is rated for sub-zero temperatures and is not harmful to pavers if you have them.

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Tips

Remove snow as soon as possible and avoid packing it down hard, making the removal of ice harder.

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Add an equal amount of sand to the rock salt if you won't be able to shovel the ice off. This will help create traction in the melting ice. The same principle applies to spreading kitty litter.

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Try covering the area with a black plastic tarp, which will create heat under it if the sun is shining. This could melt the ice.

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