Seasonal tasks
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use a push broom instead of a shovel for light, powdery snow that is not too deep or wet.
A broom is superior for this type of snow removal.
- Not recommended for businesses.
- Risk of snow melting and refreezing into dangerous ice.
2 people, independently
Use a dustpan with a soft rubber edge to remove snow from your car.
It avoids scratching the glass.
- May cause minor paint abrasions.
one person who lived it
Apply WD-40 to your snow shovel prior to use so snow does not adhere.
The snow slides off faster and more easily, reducing the need to knock it off manually.
- Do not use on plastic shovels, as WD-40 may dissolve or weaken the material.
- WD-40 is a solvent, not a dedicated lubricant.
7 people, independently
When shoveling deep snow, remove the top layer first before digging down to the bottom.
This technique saves your back.
one person who lived it
Use a plastic shovel so snow does not stick to it.
Snow naturally does not stick to the material.
- If stuck, bang the back of the shovel with a mitt to pop it out.
one person who lived it
Use cheap kitty litter for traction on icy surfaces.
It is just clay, provides good traction, and washes off when it rains.
- Avoid expensive brands as they contain extra ingredients that make them worse for ice.
one person who lived it
Apply silicone spray or Teflon to the chute of a snowblower.
This prevents snow from sticking to the chute.
2 people, independently
Polish the scoop and rear side of a steel shovel, then coat the surface with car wax.
The wax makes snow fly off, lasts longer, and is not environmentally damaging.
3 people, independently
Apply paraffin wax (such as from a candle) to a heated metal shovel blade for durable non-stick properties.
It lasts longer than oil.
2 people, independently
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Keep shovels outside before use so they are cold when contacting snow.
Warm shovels melt snow on contact, causing it to freeze onto the blade.
one person who lived it
Ensure ice melt is completely dry before loading it into the spreader to avoid jamming from large chunks.
Wet salt forms big chunks that can get caught in some spreader models.
one person who lived it
Park vehicles near the end of the driveway to limit the area requiring shoveling.
This reduces the work to clearing only a narrow path.
- Do not park too close to the street if snow plows operate there.
one person who lived it
Apply lubricant to door seals every fall to prevent gasket damage caused by freezing.
It helps protect the gaskets when doors freeze up.
one person who lived it
Use Fiskars Classic series shovels for manual snow removal tasks.
They are reported to be really good for this purpose.
one person who lived it
Apply lubricant to dog paws to reduce snow clumping between pads and on legs.
It prevents snow from accumulating in those areas.
one person who lived it
If you dislike the smell of industrial lubricants, keep a can of cheap cooking spray in your pocket while shoveling for easy reapplication.
It is cheap and odorless.
one person who lived it
Avoid using salt on sidewalks or driveways if you are concerned about long-term cement damage.
Salt can destroy cement over time, potentially by increasing frost heave.
one person who lived it
Apply Scotchgard or hydrophobic boot sealant to shovels for a longer-lasting non-stick effect.
These products might last longer than other options.
one person who lived it
Empty the seed spreader barrel after each use to prevent corrosion of the blades and metal.
Storing extra salt in the barrel corrodes the internal components.
one person who lived it