How to lubricate a snow shovel so that the snow does not stick to it: a useful winter life hack
Cleaning wet snow is not a special pleasure! He constantly sticks to the shovel, which increases the load, promotes rapid fatigue and reduces labor productivity. I cleaned a couple of tracks, and my hands are already falling off... But this problem has a simple solution! How to process a plastic, wooden or even metal shovel so that the snow does not stick to it - read on!
Before using this life hack
Before applying one of our recommended products, be sure to clean the shovel from dirt and dry it. This will allow the applied products to work more efficiently and last longer.
Inexpensive improvised means
Laundry soap will be the first on the list. If you are not sorry, you can apply any - the effect will be the same. Rub both sides of the shovel with a bar of soap and the wet snow will not stick to the surface for a while. The soap is suitable for all types of shovels.
The next candidate is a paraffin wax candle. But in this case, the working part of the shovel, on which the paraffin will be applied, must be heated. For these purposes, a building hair dryer is perfect. Both sides of the shovel are rubbed with candles "hot", as a result of which the surface is covered with a waterproof layer, to which the snow mass does not stick. Suitable for wood and plastic.
Another sure thing is used engine oil. Great for plywood, wood, plastic and metal shovels. Working off is applied with a regular brush or rag on the working planes of the shovel. The oil film also prevents snow from sticking.
Of all this trinity, paraffin treatment is considered the most effective. Second place goes to used engine oil. The outsider of the group will be soap, as it will wash off the fastest. But if there is no candle, no working off, then soap is better than nothing!
From what is more expensive
When your budget allows, you can use silicone grease, WD-40, or ski grease. But here it is worth thinking carefully: if there is always a lot of snow, and the budget really allows, maybe you should not suffer, but immediately go broke for a snow blower? A question for thought ...
The most effective of the above is ski lubricant. If the shovel is plastic or metal, you must use grease for plastic skis; for shovels made of wood materials, therefore, lubricant is needed for wooden skis.
Silicone grease holds a little less. The quickest to rinse off and therefore consumes a water-repellent anti-corrosive agent known as WD-40 aerosol. By the way, many consider VeDeshka to be a lubricant. But this is not the case. It is a highly penetrating preservative for metal surfaces, but nothing more!