No shovel, no problem: here’s how to clear snow in no time – SlashGear

It was hard to miss the massive storm that hit much of the US in late January 2026, even if you weren’t in the way. The storm that the Weather Channel Considered “historic,” the country has dumped ice and snow on 34 states, affecting 220 million people, disrupting travel, closing schools and businesses and creating a major mess.

Chances are, if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow, you were probably well prepared with at least a snow shovel and possibly a snow blower. But it’s easy to be ill-prepared: perhaps you’ve recently moved and assumed your landlord will start shoveling, only to find out it’s your responsibility. Maybe your shovel broke the first time you tried to remove wet, heavy snow from your sidewalk and you never replaced it, or the snow season started early and you didn’t have time to prepare. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself standing in front of a pile of snow with no way to clear it, what do you do?

Of course, before you start MacGywing spare parts in your garage, you can ask a neighbor for help or make a few phone calls and pay for a service to clear your driveway or sidewalks. But if everyone is booked up or you don’t have a friendly neighbor nearby, there are several other methods you can try, from a broom to a tarp or even your trusty leaf blower. There are also some tactics we don’t recommend. Here are some tips for the next winter storm.

A leaf blower is another tool in your arsenal when dealing with fluffier snow. It may not have enough power for wet snow, but it can probably handle a few inches of fluff. Use it on hard surfaces and to clean the windshield of your car. If you have enough warning before snow falls, you can spread ice melt or rock salt on your sidewalks and driveway before it starts to snow. This allows the snow to melt, so no shoveling is necessary. If you have a smaller space and a large tarp, you can also lay a tarp on the ground and after the snowfall, lift or drag the tarp to dump the snow somewhere else.

You may be given other recommendations for clearing snow, such as using hot water or metal tools, but these can cause damage to the user and the snow-covered surface and are generally not a good idea. If you’re expecting more snow than a broom or leaf blower can handle, it might be time to call in the experts and/or pay someone to clear your driveway.