Face it – the snow is coming and that means shoveling! Stay safe and try these tips to make winter’s white stuff less of a burden.
Here are three simple hacks to make the morning after a snowfall much less stressful.
1. Spray Your Shovel with Cooking Oil:
Snow sticking to your shovel makes an already arduous task even more obnoxious. Avoid it with this hack: Lightly coat your shovel with non-stick cooking oil to make snow slide right off. No more time wasted removing snow from your snow remover. (You can substitute a spray lubricant like WD-40, but the downside is it’s toxic.)
2. Lay Out a Tarp Before the Snow:
If you like short cuts, this technique, billed as “the laziest way imaginable” to clear snow, according to a tutorial from “Instructables,” has got your name on it. The day before an expected snowfall, lay a tarp on your walkway. When the snow finishes falling, just pull out the tarp, and voilà: an instantly cleared walkway. (Word to the wise: Make sure pedestrians won’t trip on your tarp; include a sign or use this technique in your backyard walkway if you’re concerned.)
The technique requires a tarp, firewood, and twine as well as some prep work. Pre-storm, use firewood to weigh down your tarp — you don’t want it flying away in the wind! — and tie the twine to both the tarp and to a shovel standing upright in your yard. You’ll use the shovel to pull out the snow-laden tarp.
Although this method might be faster than shoveling, it does require manpower. After all, a cubic foot of snow can weigh between 7 and 20 pounds. So don’t get too ambitious with the size of your tarp or you might not be able to pull it once it’s full of snow.
3. Make a Homemade De-icing Cocktail:
De-icers make snow removal easier by cutting through the tough icy layers that are hard to remove with a shovel. But many commercial de-icers are harsh on your landscape and sidewalks.
According to the University of Maryland’s Home and Garden Information Center, commercial ice-melting substances — magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride (salt) — all cause damage to the environment. They can also damage concrete sidewalks and driveways, which mean hefty repair costs later.
A better solution: Make your own de-icer using rubbing alcohol or vinegar. You’ll save money, too. Commercial melters typically cost $8 or more. Plus, you’ll avoid the hassle of trekking to the hardware store to stock up.
Use vinegar before a storm to make ice and snow removal easier:
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Combine 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water.
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Spray or pour gently (you still want to avoid runoff into your landscape) before a storm.
To keep the sidewalks and steps from icing after a storm:
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Combine 2 parts rubbing alcohol with 1 part water.
- Apply to minimize runoff.
If you really don’t want to shovel snow and you don’t want to move from the area, the last suggestion is maybe the easiest of all. MOVE to a condo or coop that does the shoveling for you! If that sounds appealing, just give the Lise Howe Group a call. We will find a great condo for you with all the outside maintenance included. We can be reached at 240-401-5577 or email us at Lise@lisehowe.com.