Getting rid of ice--Macgyver Style

Should you ever find yourself out of de-icer in inclement weather such as this, check out these Macgyver-style alternatives thanks to the good folks at The Consumerist website.

The big batch of winter wrath this week has caused a run on basic supplies at the hardware stores. So what if the shelves are empty where the salt usually sit? Grab a bag, box, jar or bottle of one of these alternative ice and snow melting supplies instead.

•Calcium chloride
•Alfalfa meal - fertilizer
•Sand - absorbs sunlight and adds traction
•Water softener solt
•Bleach (highly corrosive, use sparingly)
•Sugar - like salt, it lowers the melting point
•Baking soda - it's a kind of salt!
•Vinegar
•Concentrated isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol (kills grass)
•Epsom Salt/Magnesium Sulfate
•Ammonium sulfate - look for it in fertilizer (damages concrete)
•Calcium magnesium acetate - sold under brand names like "Quad melt" and "Premiere Ice Melter"
•Magnesium chloride - ask for it by name
•Potassium acetate - sold under "Ice Clear" (corrosive)
•Potassium chloride (damages concrete)
Salt only melts ice, by the way, it does not melt snow.

We here at DEM do not necessarily advise you to go out and buy all of these things as you might end up on a terrorist watch list, but in a pinch it's good to know there are other alternatives! (you can also use kitty litter)