An automotive expert says a £2 supermarket staple could help prevent your driveway becoming slippery. The unlikely product could aid you during the winter
Snow has fallen across the UK, and the temperatures are cold. With that comes the risk of icy driveways. There’s nothing more unpleasant than leaving your house as usual, only to discover it’s icy and end up slipping. Even if you manage to avoid a proper tumble, the experience of nearly hitting the ground can send your heart racing for quite a while.
But there’s a common household product available for just £2 in supermarkets that could prove essential in preventing your driveway from becoming dangerously slippery. The bitter temperatures and hazardous driving conditions have kicked off 2026, with below-zero readings and predictions of up to 15 inches of snow in certain areas.
This means dangerous journeys, frozen car windows and treacherous front paths for people across the country struggling against the weather during their commute to work or the school run.
Whilst local authorities do their utmost to treat major routes, many residents are left tackling the icy spots directly outside their properties, making minor roads frightening to navigate and driveways challenging as well.
Some opt for the conventional method of purchasing their own large sacks of salt and grit. However, this isn’t affordable, practical or easily accessible, particularly when demand rockets during an unexpected cold spell.
Nevertheless, one motoring specialist has shared a cost-effective winter solution that’s becoming popular amongst clever drivers – cat litter.
Graham Conway, managing director of Select Car Leasing, explained: “When scattered over an icy driveway, non-clumping clay cat litter provides instant traction underfoot and under tyres, reducing the risk of slips and skids.
“Unlike rock salt, which works by melting ice, cat litter acts like tiny grit granules that give grip even in the coldest temperatures.”
A 10-litre bag can be purchased from Aldi for £2.18, while Tesco sells it for just a penny more at £2.19. Graham further commented: “Better still, for households with pets, it’s something you may already have in a cupboard at home.”
Cat litter isn’t the only household item that can make winter driving safer and less stressful. There are also other measures you can take to simplify your life.
De-ice windscreen with homemade spray
Combine three parts white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle and cover your windscreen in the evening to prevent ice from forming overnight. It won’t completely eliminate the need for scraping, but it can significantly reduce build-up.
Plastic bags over wing mirrors
Sandwich bags or small bin liners work well. Attach them before you go to bed, and in the morning, you’ll remove them to reveal ice-free mirrors.
Keep a spare doormat in your boot
If your wheels start spinning on an icy drive, slide an old doormat or even a carpet offcut under the tyres. This will provide the extra traction needed to get moving.
Graham stated: “Driving in winter can be tough, especially when the mercury plummets.
“There are plenty of products on the market to address some of the problems the conditions can cause, but there are also a few money-friendly hacks that do a decent job.”
