How To Clean Your Driveway From Snow

10 Great Snow and Ice Removal Hacks

When it comes to removing snow and ice, there are some quick and easy tips to make your life easier. Here are 10 great snow removal hacks to try this winter.

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Use Cooking Spray Anna_Kuzmina/Shutterstock

Use Cooking Spray

When the heavy, wet snow proves difficult to shovel, spray some cooking spray on your shovel. It will help you move through the snow quickly and prevent it from sticking to your shovel. To avoid a mess, just remember to wipe the ice shovel tool down before you store it back in the garage.

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Set a Schedule for Snow Removal Benoit Daoust/Shutterstock

Set a Schedule for Snow Removal

When it comes to snow removal, one of the worst things you can do is to wait until it stops snowing. Instead, set a schedule to lightly shovel every one to two hours, depending on how long the snowfall is supposed to last.

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Wear Socks Over Your Shoes Magdalena photographer/Shutterstock

Wear Socks Over Your Shoes

Need some more traction when shoveling? Try wearing a second pair of socks over your shoes or boots when doing your snow removal. You'll be less likely to fall when shoveling on icy pavement.

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Melt Ice Quickly ND700/Shutterstock

Melt Ice Quickly

Be prepared for everything winter throws your way. If after shoveling you find ice underneath, make a salt alternative to put down on your driveway, sidewalk and front steps. Combine 1 teaspoon of dish soap, 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol and 1/2 gallon of water in a bucket and pour the mixture where you need it most.

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Make Shoveling More Comfortable

Who says snow removal must hurt your back? The G4 from Garant has three handles. One for pushing snow and two for lifting. Also, this sort of ice shovel has a foot rest to give you extra power to break up packed snow or ice, and can help you get out of a ditch. Photo: Courtesy Garant

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No Shovel? No Problem B Calkins/Shutterstock

No Shovel? No Problem

If you don't have a shovel handy and your snow blower isn't working, try placing a plastic tarp over exposed sidewalks, walkways and even your car when snow is anticipated. And when the flurries stop, just pull the tarp to uncover a clear path.

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Get Out the Leaf Blower

Don't put your leaf blower away for the season, put it to your advantage! Leaf blowers work great for removing light, fluffy snow.

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Smart Snow Blowing Family Handyman

Smart Snow Blowing

The best method to snow blow your driveway is to start in the middle and throw the snow toward one edge of the driveway. Then, make a U-turn and come back down the other side and continue to alternate. This way you won't have to adjust the chute as often and shouldn't need a second pass.

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Get Out the Wet/Dry Vacuum WathanyuSowong/Shutterstock

Get Out the Wet/Dry Vacuum

Sure, you could try using your shop vacuum to suck up the snow and dump it in another location. But we recommend hooking your house up to the exhaust on your vacuum and turning it into a blower. Just point and blow the snow away.

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Use a Shovel Attachment

Add an ice shovel back-saver attachment to your list of best tools. There are several on the market that allow you to take your favorite shovel and make it better by attaching the removable handle in a spot of your choice to get a better hand position. It can help reduce back strain.

Originally Published: December 13, 2018

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