Winter mornings have a special ability to surprise even the most cautious. A person leaves the house, takes a few steps and suddenly feels his shoes slipping on the frozen pavement. But there is a simple and surprisingly effective trick that can significantly reduce slippage, while not burdening either the shoes or the environment.
A moment of inattention is enough and the journey to work can turn into an unplanned fall. Almost everyone knows it in winter. The sidewalks are icy, the soles are smooth and so on sometimes it’s not enough. At the same time, there is a simple trick that mainly people from Nordic countries like and which surprisingly works even where salt or sand fails.
On video fromKristýna Your stylist with tips on how to combine shoes with clothes, watch on YouTube:
When shoes slip, the problem isn’t just the ice
Gliding on glaciers is not only a matter of the weather, but also of the surface of the sole. Smooth sky there is nothing to grip on the frozen surface. In addition, the salt that is commonly used can break the ice, but at the same time it increases the slipperiness and destroys the shoes. That is why there is more and more talk about alternatives that are gentler and yet functional.
“Walk slowly, with short steps, keep the center of gravity above your feet, the so-called penguin step will help you maintain balance,” advises physiotherapist Lenka Bartošová.
Coffee grounds as a winter rescue
It may sound strange, but used coffee grounds can do a great service on ice. It has a coarser structure that creates friction, and at the same time a dark color, thanks to which the surface heats up faster in the sun. The ice will then begin to loosen and the risk of slipping will be significantly reduced. This trick is also recommended by foreign magazines focused on the household and sustainable living, where coffee grounds are taken as a practical winter helper, not just waste.
How to use coffee grounds in practice
Dry or only slightly moist sediment works best. It is enough to pour it on an icy section of the sidewalk, stairs or the place in front of the house, where most people walk. The surface immediately becomes less slippery and walking is more secure. The advantage is that, unlike salt, it does not damage the soles of shoes or the surface of the paving, and it does not bother pets either.
Why this trick is better than salt
Coffee grounds are organic, available and free. Most households have it on hand every day. In addition, it does not burden the soil or the sewage system and can be simply swept away or flushed away after the ice melts.
If you’re worried about slipping shoes and falling in winter, this simple trick is worth trying. Just don’t throw away the coffee grounds and have them on hand for the days when the frost hits. Sometimes it really is the case that we have the most effective solution at home, we just treated it as ordinary waste.
