It took some time, but after a mild start to the winter, we took a big nosedive right into snow and cold. The latest winter weather event is bringing temperatures to New England that will be well below zero and the lowest they've been in at least five years.

That means that everything will be frozen solid, making just walking to your car a potential hazard. But I discovered a life hack a while back that will clear away your steps and walkways instantly.

Just mix one teaspoon of Dawn dishwashing liquid, a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol and half a gallon of hot or warm water. Pour that over your steps and walkways and the ice will melt away and not refreeze.

I tried it myself and already had all the ingredients I needed.

Jeff Parsons
Jeff Parsons
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I mixed two teaspoons of Dawn and 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol with a gallon hot water and poured it over my steps after cleaning as much ice as I could. It made a soapy mess so I was a little concerned I used too much soap.

Jeff Parsons
Jeff Parsons
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I let it sit though and the next day we had more freezing rain, so for once, I was excited about that just because I wanted to see if this trick worked. Sure enough...

Jeff Parsons
Jeff Parsons
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The next morning it was clear as could be and was barely wet while the untreated railing was coated with a thin layer of ice. No fears of slipping or falling here, so I'm definitely going to be using the lifehack all winter long.

I even heard from Brandon who tried it after I shared this earlier this year:

"So here I am chipping away to get the ice off my front steps two steps into it, my wife comes out and says let me show you what Jeff Parsons taught me. As she dumped a gallon of whatever soap mixed with rubbing alcohol and hot water, and top two steps are clear in seconds. Thanks, Jeff. After my overweight self pounded on them for over an hour. It’s kind of like a sham. Wow, but wait there’s more. She tells me to step back and watch this. Look at them now clear as a whistle."

Here are Brandon's steps after he put the hammer and crowbar down and used the life hack.

Brandon Richardson
Brandon Richardson
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