Snow Joe SJ-SHLV01 Shovelution Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel | 18-Inch | Spring Assisted Handle

 Snow Joe SJ-SHLV01 Shovelution Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel | 18-Inch | Spring Assisted Handle

• Shovel: made of a durable, impact-resistant blade
• Handle: the spring-assist handle acts as a fulcrum – changes mechanics of shoveling, reduces strain
• Easy to use: gives lifting leverage to the lower hand to lift greater loads with ease
• Ergonomic: design improves posture, reduces the need to bend.Handle Length:41.3 inches
• Material Type: Steel

How to remove snow if you do not have a shovel: effective methods to melt ice and snow

The great snowfall due to this storm has left unique prints in cities like Madrid and many are those who took to the streets to enjoy such an unusual phenomenon.

But after the emotion of the moment, the truth is that the great accumulation of snow that has fallen in much of the territory has left dire consequences for many, such as trapped drivers, transport cuts and power outages.

To this is also added the polar cold wave that has arrived after the storm  and that is leaving temperatures with extreme minimums that threaten to turn all the accumulated snow into dangerous and sliding ice.

The Government and the authorities have recommended staying at home and removing accumulated snow from balconies and terraces to avoid damage to structures or that once it has been converted into ice it can detach and fall on pedestrians.

Practical tips to combat the snow after the passage of the storm Filomena

Many residents have already taken to the streets to clear their entrances, cars or access to snow shops.  But next to this picture is that of those whom Filomena and the cold have caught totally unprepared, and who wonder how there are so many people prepared with shovels in their homes to combat the effects of the storm.

If you are one of these and are still wondering how to clean your car or sidewalk without a shovel, here are some effective ways to melt ice and snow.

- Look for shovel-like tools like rakes or brooms

It is clear that the best thing to remove snow is a shovel. But other tools in your home can also be effective in the absence of these.

You can remove the snow by raking it or even sweeping it.

The broom will be especially effective for confined spaces such as the door of your house or driveways, especially if  the snow is fluffy and the layer formed is light . For more efficiency, opt for a straw or hard cedar brush if you can.

If it has turned to ice, try a pick or some other gardening tool that can help you break it down.

And once the snow or ice is removed, do not throw it into the street unguarded, as you could harm someone walking down the street. If it is your balcony, accumulate the snow or ice in a bucket and then leave it in the bathtub so that when it thaws it goes down the drain.

- A plastic card can help you with the ice on the windshield

More common than having a shovel is to have an ice scraper in the car to remove the layer of ice that usually remains on the windshield on colder winter nights.

If you have one of these, you can also use it to break ice off small areas such as a balcony, an air conditioner, or stair steps.

If you don't have an ice scraper either, Mapfre advises that you can remove the ice from your car's windshield with a plastic card without fear of scratching it.

- Alcohol can also help melt ice on your windshield

From the website of the insurer also they indicate that alcohol is another suitable product for melt ice or snow from the windscreen.

According to its indications "it can be applied directly on the glass or mixed with water (the mezcal would be: two parts of alcohol and one of water) to be able to easily remove the ice". 

- Salt for areas where there is a light layer of accumulated snow

Adding salt can also be an effective remedy against snow.

As such it will not make it disappear, but it will prevent it from turning into ice, since what this compound does is lower the freezing point temperature of the snow even more.

The salt you have at home will do, but to be effective there should not be a very large layer accumulated, this method is best for those areas where the snow has not been caked.

And never use salt on floors with plants or garden areas as this compound can harm the environment.

- Beet juice as a sustainable alternative to salt

As has already been pointed out, the salt spread on streets and highways to avoid frost has in the long run a harmful effect on ecosystems.

A sustainable alternative to this compound is beet juice. Not only does it have no impact on the environment, but the mixture is capable of withstanding temperatures down to -28C, which makes it much more effective than salt against ice.

The idea may be curious, but it is already being used in icy countries like Canada, after a company in Ontario discovered by chance the antifreeze capacity of beets, as La Vanguardia explains .

- If you use hot water, sweep the area so that it does not accumulate

Hot water can be an easy way to melt snow or ice if you don't have the right tools.

It can be very useful to quickly clear the entrance of your house or get rid of the accumulated snow in your yard.

But after doing so, be sure to sweep up the water and even dry the excess with a towel so that it does not turn back to ice  if the temperatures remain low. Best, then add salt to make it harder for ice to form.