The Best Method For Removing Ice Melt Residue From Your Floors

When it comes to dealing with ice melt residue, it doesn't matter if you go for salt or sand to melt ice from your driveway. Even if you're on "Team Sand", the chances of you tracking ice melt from sidewalks or parking lots into your home is still very high. The ice melt residue that gets left behind is an absolute eyesore and can be quite difficult to clean with normal home cleaning solutions. But as always, nature has the best answer to this problem — vinegar.

For wood, laminate, or tile floors, first do a quick sweep to gather any loose residue. Then mix ½ cup of vinegar with 1 cup of hot water in a bowl. You can either soak a washcloth in the mixture and then use it to wipe off the stains, or pour the mixture into a mop bucket and use a mop. Just ensure to use gloves and be cautious of the heat. For carpeted floors, start by vacuuming up the ice melt debris. This time, you'll need one part vinegar and one part hot water. After mixing, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray on the affected areas. Let it sit for five minutes. Use paper towels to blot the area, then vacuum the carpet again.

To explain this properly, you have to first understand the chemistry behind ice melt residue. Apart from a few non-toxic deicers on the market, most commercial ice melts contain water-soluble salts like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or sodium chloride. When these salts melt snow or ice, they form hydroxides, which combine with the carbon dioxide in the air to form solid carbonates. So if your ice melt contains calcium chloride as the main ingredient, the end product after it has done its job and evaporated is calcium carbonate. You'll most likely know this compound by its dreaded second name — limescale. Yup, the same stuff in hard water that clogs up your shower heads and stains your glass shower doors.

Since you can easily remove limescale buildup in your bathroom with vinegar, the same principle works with ice melt residue. The acetic acid in vinegar can break down limescale or other similar salts generated by ice melts, leaving you with a streak-free surface after you wipe it off. This is the same science commercial floor neutralizers rely on to effectively clean out ice melt residue stains. Floor neutralizers are typically acidic like vinegar, which makes them great for removing alkaline spots like the melt residues. However, white distilled vinegar is the best choice because it is natural and less expensive than these commercial neutralizers.

Prevention is the best way to solve any problem, and your ice melt residue issue isn't any different. The first preventive step is to regulate the quantity of ice melt you spread over your property so there isn't much to track into your home. Since ice melt converts the snow into a brine that keeps spreading and breaking down more snow, a little can go a long way. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the amount you should spread in a specific area. Also, consider using a handheld fertilizer spreader to ensure even spreads in a small area, and a walk-behind spreader for larger spaces.

An adequate matting system is your next line of defense. Ideally, you should have a mat system at every entrance into your home with three types of mats. The first one directly outside the door would be the outdoor scraper mat for collecting large debris from your shoes. They are usually made from strong materials like rubber with bristles. The second mat immediately after the entrance should be a scraper/wiper mat which will trap any dirt missed by the first and also absorb moisture from footwear. Finally, the wiper mat placed further in your entryway should be made from high-absorbency materials that will completely dry your shoes. But if you can't have this matting system in your home, consider these doorway rugs to keep your floor cleaner. Ensure to regularly clean these mats though because they won't be effective when they become saturated with moisture or dirt.