Using Baking Soda to Melt Ice
Just like salt, baking soda lowers the freezing point of ice, making it melt quicker. Mix baking soda with hot water and apply it to the ice you want to melt. After 15 minutes: The salt and baking soda ice cubes were quite melty and textured. Baking soda works, but not as well as salt. It is better than nothing, and will give icy surfaces a little grip.
Alternative Ice Melting Solutions
What can I use if I don’t have ice melt? Sand not only absorbs sunlight to help snow and ice melt, but it also adds traction. Kitty litter also works. Vinegar melts ice too. Any solution with more particles will lower the freezing point of water.
Ice Melting Techniques
Use baking soda to melt ice on slippery steps and walkways! Baking soda lowers the freezing point of ice like salt, but is less alkaline so won’t corrode surfaces as much.
Ice melts faster in water than soda because soda contains salt, which slows melting. Ice melts faster in water than milk or syrup because water is less dense.
Coffee grounds melt ice because they are naturally acidic.