How much salt is needed to clear ice?

On a chilly winter's morning, it can be frustrating to find the salt bins empty and the paths dangerously icy. This raises an important question: are we actually using more salt than necessary?

Using excessive amounts of salt not only squanders resources, but it can also have a negative impact on the environment by affecting soil and water quality. That's why it's important to follow official recommendations on the appropriate quantity of salt to use for keeping paths safe.

According to the Met Office’s winter safety guidelines, you may be surprised at how little salt is actually required to keep surfaces safe.

If there’s snow on the ground, clear it away first if possible. You can then melt any remaining snow or prevent black ice by spreading a modest amount of salt over the cleared area; as recommended by the Met Office, a tablespoon or a handful per square metre should do the job. If you're clearing a driveway, that's about a mug full for a typical car-sized patch.

Take extra care when there's the risk of black ice. But what is black ice? Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that forms when water freezes on very cold roads or pavements. Despite the name, it isn't actually black – it's almost invisible because it contains no air bubbles and blends into the tarmac.

Clearing your path or driveway - the snow code

23rd January 2026