DIY Brine for the Sidewalk

Heat water on the stove or in the microwave or, if tap water is sufficiently warm, place water directly into an old bucket or container that has a spray nozzle attachment.

Dissolve a deicing salt, briny backwash or other household salt in the water. Stir the compound in as it is added until no more compound can be dissolved in the warm water and any additional salt placed in the water remains a solid.

Remove as much snow and ice from the sidewalk as possible. The briny solution will be more effective as an anti-icer if it does not have to melt through snow and ice before reaching the sidewalk.

Apply a thin, even layer of the briny solution to the sidewalk about one to two hours before the wintry precipitation is anticipated. Either spray or pour the solution onto the sidewalk.

Remove any snow that has accumulated following the snow event. The briny solution can only efficiently melt a portion of a heavy snowfall, but there should be a wet, rather than icy layer against the sidewalk, facilitating easy clearing.

Sprinkle a small amount of the homemade briny solution over solid deicing compound immediately before it is applied to any areas of especially thick ice.