- 1). Scoop up any loose snow from the driveway so the deicing materials will have direct contact with the ice. Use a snow shovel and deposit the snow a few feet from the pavement so it doesn’t blow back.
- 2). Pour rock salt in a bucket and mix it with 32 percent calcium chloride solution to wet all of the salt. Use 1 part calcium chloride solution to three or four parts rock salt. Stir the mix with a wooden stirrer. Wetting rock salt prevents it from scattering under traffic, which reduces the amount you need to use. While rock salt melts ice in temperatures as cold as 15 degrees F, calcium chloride extends its effectiveness to 0 degrees F.
- 3). Fill a paper cup with the wetted rock salt and spread it over remaining patches of ice, paying special attention to the street end of the driveway and sloped sections. The calcium chloride releases heat as it melts ice, which speeds the melting process. Plan to wait about 20 minutes for the ice to loosen and melt.
- 4). Scoop up the loose ice and dump it on a bank near the street. Push melted ice toward the street gutter with a stiff shop broom so it won't refreeze on the pavement.
- 5). Open a bag of alfalfa meal and spread it over the entire driveway. This is a natural, environmentally safe deicing agent that adds traction while preventing more ice from forming.
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