If you live in Grand Rapids or anywhere in West Michigan honestly, we need to talk.
We are salting wrong. Like aggressively, dramatically, “trying to preserve meat for winter” wrong.
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The City of Grand Rapids Environmental Services Department recently shared a video that basically says whoa, that is way too much salt. After watching it, I had to take a long, hard look at my own driveway and accept that I have been out there dumping half a bag at a time like I am seasoning a giant icy French fry.
Here is the part that surprised me most. You only need about one cup of salt per parking space. One cup. A regular coffee mug works perfectly for measuring. Not a shovelful. Not an enthusiastic pour because it feels safer. Just a mug.
The trick is to shovel first and actually remove the snow. Salt is meant to handle thin layers and leftover ice, not six inches of packed slush and panic. When you clear the surface first, a small amount goes a long way…