Met Office reveals 65p trick that instantly melts ice from driveways as temps plunge to -12C

IT’S BITTERLY cold outside, with temperatures forecast to drop to -12C and snow set to hit parts of the UK – raising the risk of slips and falls.

For homeowners, that means taking precautions to clear patios, paths and driveways so they’re safe to use.

The Met Office advises tackling snow and ice as early as possible, ideally in the morning and before it has been trampled on, as fresh snow is looser and far easier to remove, but once it’s compacted it becomes dense and icy.

To clear it from your property, start by removing the top layer to expose the surface beneath – then let any sunshine help soften what remains.

After that, you can then spread ordinary table salt or dishwasher salt – available from about 65p at the supermarket – to melt residual ice and slow refreezing.

About a tablespoon per square metre is usually enough, but do make sure to use extra on steps and steep sections.

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The guidance also advises homeowners to avoid using water to melt ice, as it can refreeze into invisible black ice, while also advising gardeners to keep salt away from lawns and borders to protect plants.

For those who don’t have salt, sand or ash will improve grip though neither will actually melt ice in the way salt does, while it’s best not to take salt from council grit bins unless advised to as it’s mostly intended for the roads.

The general aim is to create a clear, continuous path from your door to the pavement by pushing snow to the sides rather than lifting it.

Work in thin layers, especially if the snow is compacted and try to expose darker surfaces such as tarmac – which absorbs a little more heat when the sun is out.

If further freezing is expected overnight, then revisit the cleared area later in the afternoon to loosen any slush and apply a light top-up of salt so the path is safer to use the next morning.

In these conditions, make sure to take extra care on steps, ramps and sloped drives where compacted snow quickly turns to sheet ice – meaning footwear with good tread can make a noticeable difference while you work.

If you’re clearing areas shared with neighbours or frequented by delivery drivers and posties, maintaining a wider, well-salted strip can help reduce accidents.

And finally, once the freezing conditions do improve, brush away excess sand or ash so it doesn’t track indoors or clog drains, or rinse salted areas near plants to minimise lingering damage to the soil.