The 12 Cheapest Ways To De-Ice Your Driveway That Actually Work

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With winter weather in full force, households across the country are facing the seasonal costs of snow and ice management. Adverse weather conditions affect more people than you may think. Routine precipitation is often regarded as a regional climate phenomenon, sparing many warmer parts of the country, even in the depths of winter. In reality, the majority of Americans receive regular snow and ice accumulation. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration reports that almost 70% of the entire population resides in areas that experience over five inches of average yearly snowfall. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are around 343 million Americans, which means about 240 million people are potential victims of these wintry hazards.

According to HomeAdvisor, a household can spend anywhere between $50 and $500 on snow removal, although the average shakes out around $123. The variable costs depend largely on the type of service offered and the size of the space you need cleared. These expenses can be further understood by service. If you call out a professional for each storm, you're looking at a $30 to $100 bill. Paying hourly will set you back $25 to $75. Want somebody on speed-dial for the entire season? That level of service runs $200 to $700. With these burdensome costs, it's no surprise that most people opt to handle snow and ice removal themselves. YouGov found that 59% of U.S. adults who get snowfall and have a driveway preferred to clear their own driveways, instead of paying a service provider.

Beyond these base expenses, homeowners also face the knock-on expenses of winter damage, such as heaving or cracks, and the potential for accidents. Fortunately, there are plenty of cheap ways to de-ice your driveway that actually work.

Rock salt is among the most affordable forms of snow removal that still requires a purchase. Although most homeowners will have table salt, which is effectively identical to rock salt, it would require an inordinate amount to de-ice an entire driveway. Luckily, a bag of rock salt only costs about $20 on Amazon for a 25-pound sack, and may be even more cost effective at local retailers. Braen Supply estimates that a single bag of rock salt is sufficient for clearing the driveways and walkways of standard homes, assuming the average 50-pound bag can cover 1,600 square feet. Buying a bag at a time prevents you from having to head out every time there's decent snowfall. During the wintertime, salt can easily become a monthly expense you're forgetting to put in your budget, so plan accordingly. 

As mentioned earlier, rock salt has a virtually identical composition to table salt. Both are primarily sodium chloride, represented in its chemical form as NaCl. The salt used for de-icing driveways is usually darker in color due to a mix of minerals added to increase traction. Interestingly, rock salt doesn't actually melt ice. Instead, it lowers the temperature at which water freezes, usually dropping it from 32 degrees to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This introduces a natural shortcoming of rock salt; it becomes ineffective in extremely low temperatures. You'll stop seeing positive results with most rock salts around 15 degrees Fahrenheit, although others might function to varying degrees until 5 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Did you know that refusing to shovel your snow could leave you with a hefty fine? Yes, some states and municipalities impose fines on homeowners for failing to keep public sidewalks clear. For homeowners wanting to de-ice their driveways with extreme effectiveness without breaking the bank, calcium chloride is the way to go. Peters Chemical indicates that this strong blend can melt ice all the way down to -25 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the ideal option for frigid temperatures. Furthermore, it's estimated this agent is up to 13 times quicker at melting ice than competing blends. Similar to rock salt and magnesium chloride, calcium chloride sucks up moisture due to its hygroscopic abilities. 

However, this powerful mix is also exothermic, meaning it emanates heat to speed along the de-icing process. Compared to standard salt, calcium chloride can melt eight times more ice within just half an hour at 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This heightened effectiveness comes with additional costs, yet still pales in comparison to hiring a professional. Angi places the average 50-pound bag of calcium chloride at $20, though prices on Amazon are a bit higher if you need to have it delivered. The good news is that calcium chloride requires less application compared to rock salt, with a tiny bit being extremely and immediately effective. Applying too much can actually have negative effects on vegetation and lawns.

Magnesium chloride, rendered as MgCl₂ in its chemical form, is the next step up from pure rock salt. It remains one of the cheapest ways to de-ice your driveway, despite being slightly more expensive than its standard counterpart. Amazon shows a 50-pound bag of magnesium chloride at around $45. That's about quadruple the price of run-of-the-mill rock salt, but this blend is considered the more effective de-icing agent. It's readily available in most home goods stores and can be purchased in various forms, including pellets and flakes. 

Magnesium chloride works to rid driveways, roads, and sidewalks of ice similarly, by depressing water's freezing temperature. Generally, it works down to -5 degrees Fahrenheit, remaining functional in more extreme climates. Magnesium chloride is specifically designed for fast moisture absorption — a property known as hygroscopism. Homeowners will appreciate this affordable de-icer's lack of residue, resulting in less post-melt cleanup and less potential damage to driveways. However, this also means magnesium chloride needs to be applied more generously than its sodium-based cousin. Brody Chemical estimates this de-icing solution is worthwhile until temperatures dip below -13 degrees Fahrenheit. That should be more than potent enough for most households, although Americans living in more frigid climates might consider an even more powerful mix.

Accident forgiveness coverage isn't always worth it, but icy driveways can make it tempting for drivers to pay for this insurance add-on. Fortunately, there's a simple solution to prevent your driveway from becoming a skating rink: sand. This old-school solution was the preeminent choice to increase traction on otherwise slippery roads. Alone, sand doesn't actually contain any snow-melting qualities like rock salt or other de-icing blends. Instead, it acts as a barrier between snowfall and ice and the ground, whether that's concrete, blacktop, brick, or other driveway materials. This loose layer prevents the ice from adhering to the ground as easily, making it easier to shovel off and increasing the friction. 

If your only goal is to reduce slippage, wetting the sand before application can halve the amount you need to put down. However, if you want to clear your driveway, dry sand is perfectly fine. Many expensive de-icing blends include sand because of its stickiness, but you don't have to overspend to achieve a similar result. Another benefit sand enjoys over salt-based de-icing agents is minimal corrosiveness. It doesn't present the potential for damaged driveways that come with salt. Plus, it's extremely affordable due to its general abundance. HomeGuide suggests you can get a cubic yard of sand for between $15 and $50.

Baking soda is one of the groceries that cost pennies in the 1970s, yet it's still one of the most affordable and readily available ingredients at the store. Consumers can purchase an entire pound of baking soda from Walmart for less than a dollar. Beneficially, this ubiquitous household ingredient is a formidable foe of wintry weather. You've probably heard of a baking soda solution being a viable replacement for even the most aggressive cleaners. This versatility extends to ice removal. Similar to most de-icers, baking soda works to lower the temperature at which water freezes, preventing ice and snow from building up in lower temperatures.

Instead of applying baking soda directly, it's advisable to mix it with water in a spray bottle. The Spruce warns that homeowners might have to use a decent amount of this common ingredient, since it's chemically less corrosive than commercial de-icers. The upside of this lower alkaline content is less damaging application. You don't have to worry about baking soda negatively affecting your driveway or pavement, no matter the material. It's also safer for children, pets, and plants. It takes a while for baking soda to start melting ice or snow, so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time between when you apply it and when you need your driveway clear.

If you're surprised by holiday spending predictions in 2025 and need to save anywhere you can, look no further than your garage or garden shed the next time your driveway needs clearing. Usually, salt and proprietary de-icing blends are most effective when applied prior to winter precipitation. Of course, most people aren't watching weather forecasts hour by hour to apply these solutions in a timely manner. Often, you're stuck with a hefty amount of ice and snow buildup with no specialty agents. That's where those gardening tools can come in handy. 

The trick is to use something sharp to get under the ice layer, making it easier to pry it up. Instead of stabbing at the ice from above, it's better to start from the side. This horizontal entry point will spare your driveway from sharp tools, while increasing the chances you can get under a large piece, simplifying the whole process. A pitchfork can work initially to break up the ice, but a flat shovel is ideal for removing the ice layer from that point on. If you don't have any tools laying around, this de-icing solution is still reasonable. You can pick up a pitchfork at Home Depot for as low as $31. Square shovels start around $17. That's around the same price as a bag of de-icing agents, but you can reuse these tools over and over again for many winters to come. 

Boiling water is another one of the cheapest ways to de-ice your driveway that is still effective after the ice has formed. Unlike other solutions, which take some time to work, boiling water removes ice immediately. The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois explains that heat moves 20 times more efficiently through water than it does the air, explaining why a pot of boiling water immediately melts snow and ice. The heat from the boiling water is instantly transferred to the winter build-up, turning it from a solid to a liquid. Wait, won't the hot water eventually refreeze, nullifying the whole effort? 

Yes, which is why tossing a pot of boiling water alone isn't enough. You'll need to follow it up right away with something to remove the water from the driveway. If you're dealing with a thin layer of ice, a broom might suffice. However, heavier accumulations of snow or ice would require a shovel, followed by a broom. The trick is to get all the water off the area you're clearing as quickly as possible before it refreezes. Boiling water might work immediately to remove ice, but it should really only be used as a last resort or if you're clearing off a small area. Even if you're not using simple tricks to lower your utility bills in winter, boiling a few pots of water to clear some ice isn't likely to make a noticeable difference.

Have a few bottles of rubbing alcohol lying around the house? They might just be your cheap secret weapon against that surprise ice build-up on your driveway. For how much the average American spends on alcohol each year, you may have noticed how ice in alcoholic drinks tends to melt more quickly than in non-alcoholic ones. Just like commercially made de-icing products, alcohol naturally lowers the freezing point of water. That's why drinks with a high concentration of alcohol won't freeze. As alcohol meets with ice, 32 degrees Fahrenheit is no longer a sufficient temperature to remain frozen. Thus, rubbing alcohol is an affordable solution for de-icing your driveway in a pinch. 

Also known as isopropyl alcohol, this common household product is usually 70% pure alcohol, although higher concentrations can be found. Generally, the higher the alcoholic concentration, the more effective it is at removing ice. It's advisable to place the rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle for a more even application. Dumping it out of the bottle is likely a waste. Keep in mind that this solution is only effective after ice or snow has built up. Waiting half an hour before you start shoveling can ensure the alcohol has had enough time to loosen up the wintry mix. An entire gallon of 99% isopropyl alcohol can be purchased for as little as $24.99 at Amazon, much cheaper than hiring a professional.

In an interview with the Daily Express, Simon Wardle — a patio expert with Armstrong Cheshire — heralded vinegar as another powerful yet affordable substitute for commercial de-icing services. Homeowners can mix a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar for a virtually free DIY de-icer, assuming you have enough vinegar at home already. This ratio is negotiable, but there's a trade-off in either direction. More vinegar will mean more efficient melting, but it also depletes the active and more expensive ingredient quicker than normal. Luckily, vinegar is arguably the most inexpensive all-purpose household cleaner. Walmart has several options for less than $5 per gallon. These savings don't have to stop at your driveway, either. Vinegar is also an affordable way to clean your gutters that could save you a ton of cash in the long run.

If you've ever dumped out the remaining brine from a jar of pickles, you unwittingly tossed out a perfectly fine de-icer. Pickle brine is so effective at fighting against ice and snow that some states have tested it out in their winter weather road and highway maintenance, with some enlightening results. National Geographic notes that states, such as New Jersey, have experimented with pickle brine as a potential replacement for more traditional solutions, like rock salt. The brine has been shown to be functional at melting ice in below-freezing temperatures. While rock salt is generally null at 5 degrees Fahrenheit, pickle brine can work until 6 degrees below.

On top of being more efficient at melting, this common pantry solution is easier on the environment than standard de-icing agents. Pickle brine is estimated to release between 14% and 29% less chloride than rock salt. You'll see results whenever you use this mixture, but applying it right before icy precipitation can prevent bonding to your driveway. Unless you stockpile pickle jars, you may not have enough brine on hand to de-ice an entire driveway. Walmart to the rescue again with 64 ounces of pickle juice for just $14.99.

Wisconsin is home to one of the best places to retire, but the state has also spearheaded one of the nation's largest alternative de-icing projects. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation funded a study looking at how the state could save money using renewable, eco-friendly products for snow removal, given the expensive damage inflicted by rock salt, calcium, and magnesium chloride, and other mainstay solutions. In the end, the state turned to a byproduct of its massive dairy market: cheese brine. This natural product of dairy production features many of the same ice-melting characteristics as vinegar and pickle brine.

Located on the eastern reaches of Wisconsin, just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Polk County has been a lead adopter of this natural de-icer. In an interview with NPR, a head member of the region's highway department explains how the cheese brine gets mixed with standard rock salt to elevate its effectiveness at lower temperatures. The county manager claims the mixture works up to 21 degrees below freezing. The tangible financial advantage to homeowners is the amount of salt that can be saved by adding some cheese brine. Polk County's blend tends to be as little as 30% salt, meaning homeowners who replace the mixture can reduce salt usage — and costs — by 70%.

Just as wine is an unexpected asset that could increase your net worth, grape skins are a surprise weapon against wintry buildup. A study from Washington State University, in pursuit of a more eco-friendly and less damaging de-icing substance, found that grape skins are remarkably effective at removing ice and snow without the negative effects of more commonly used chemicals. The project was supported by a diverse array of official groups, including the U.S. and Washington Departments of Transportation, along with the National Science Foundation. The report indicates chemicals in grape skins melt ice faster, cause less damage, and pollute the environment with fewer chloride byproducts. 

Notably, the natural solution proved to work better than road salt, among the most prevalent de-icing compounds. Researchers even note how the grape skin mixture was more ecologically sensitive than the sugar beet juice additives that some states use. While the implications of this study could help alleviate the $5 billion the U.S. spends annually to fix damage caused by snow and ice removal operations, homeowners could save a decent amount, too. If you make wine at home, live near a vineyard, or simply enjoy eating grapes, reusing the skins instead of tossing them leaves you with a functional de-icer. Even if you don't have ready access to a bunch of grape skins, they're not expensive. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the average pound of Thompson seedless grapes costs $2.36.