Old timer at the dump told me to salt my walkway with wood ash instead of ice melt

Been using the store bought stuff for years and slipped twice last winter. He said the ash gives traction and won't kill my lawn, so I tried it after that big storm last week. Works way better than I thought, anyone else use this or got another cheap trick for icy steps?

3 comments

3 Comments

cameronb5228d ago

Wait, you actually tried it? That old fella at the dump was right?

nina14726d ago

Used to think the old timers were just stuck in their ways but tried the ash after reading this and it's actually way better than the salt I've been buying for years. Never going back now that I see how it doesn't wreck my grass.

clairer7928d ago

Salt from the store wrecked my front garden last year, so I was glad to hear about this trick. Ash works great on ice and doesn't burn your skin like the chemical stuff does. Just make sure you use cold ash from a fireplace or wood stove, not hot coals or bits of burnt plastic. I mix it with a little sand sometimes when the ice is real thick and that gives even better grip.