The Best Way To Make Your Steps Less Slippery In The Winter

Winter is long and cold, but it’s also a great time to stay inside, curl up in front of the fire, and avoid slipping on ice or snow. However, if you don’t want to make your own homemade solution or even use a salt free deicer, here are some ideas for making them less slippery:

• Clear Snow Off The Steps Regularly, If Possible.

First tip on how to get better traction in snow is to clear the steps at least once a week. This is not always possible if you have lots of snow, but if it’s feasible for you to do it, it’ll make your home safer and easier to navigate.

If you don’t want to clear snow off the steps yourself (or don’t want to hire someone), consider using a shovel or snowblower when necessary. If there is too much snow on the stairs, remove as much as possible before taking them down.

• Avoid Waxing Outdoor Steps During Winter.

Waxing your outdoor steps during the winter is a bad idea. The ice and snow will accumulate on the wax and make it slippery, which can lead to falls. Furthermore, the ice will refreeze after melted off, making the surface treacherous again.

Never use sand or salt to help prevent slipping. Sand and salt are corrosive and have a long term impact on your pavement, so you don’t want to be using them on your steps. They can also get tracked inside the house during the winter months, which can cause damage to flooring and carpets.

Safe Paw is a salt free deicer that won’t corrode your stairs or leave behind dangerous residue when it melts away. Its granular texture makes it ideal for providing traction on slippery surfaces without damaging them over time.

• Kitty Litter Is Messy Use Traction Magic

Some people choose to use kitty litter as a deicer. The trick is that you have to be careful not to get it on your shoes, because the litter will stick like crazy and make your shoes hard to clean off.

In winter conditions when it’s wet and slippery outside, I recommend using Traction Magic instead of kitty litter because it’s safer and much easier to clean up. In fact, it would be much better if you used the product directly on your steps instead of pouring it into a tray or bowl. That way, its natural grit will stay put and not get washed away by rain or snow melt.

Ice and Snow Grips for Safer Steps in Winter

If you’ve been wondering whether ice and snow grips really help prevent slips on outdoor steps—yes, they absolutely do. These grips, which can be added to your boots or installed directly onto outdoor stair edges, offer added stability where snow or ice typically creates the most danger. When used alongside a traction product like ice Traction Magic, you double your defense against winter slips and falls.

Many homeowners invest in grip tape, stair treads, or attachable shoe cleats during winter months. But what’s often missing is the instant traction underneath your feet—and that’s where Traction Magic steps in. Unlike sand or kitty litter, it’s clean, safe, and biodegradable. You get instant friction when you walk, and the natural mineral blend won’t damage your concrete or tracked-in flooring.

Now, speaking of traction…

Should You Use Traction Control on Ice? Try Ice and Snow Grips Instead

Many drivers wonder: should you use traction control on ice? The answer isn’t always straightforward. Traction control in cars works by reducing wheel spin, but on sheer ice, it may limit your ability to get moving entirely. In these cases, physical traction—like spreading Traction Magic near your tires—is often more effective.

When it comes to walking, traction control comes in the form of ice and snow grips and surface-level traction agents. Shoes can only do so much if there’s a thin, invisible black ice layer beneath you. Using Walk On Ice or Traction Magic ensures you get real grip even when traditional snow boots or cleats lose their edge.

So, should I use traction control on ice when driving? Use it, but combine it with instant physical traction products for real control. And when walking—don’t just trust your soles. Trust the surface under them, too.

Conclusion

Keeping your steps safe this winter is about more than shoveling or avoiding wax—it’s about combining smart tools like ice and snow grips with natural traction agents like Traction Magic. When you ask, should you use traction control on ice, remember: built-in features help, but nothing replaces direct surface grip. So whether you’re climbing outdoor steps or navigating an icy driveway, arm yourself with the right products and prep like a pro. Because safety doesn’t have to be slippery.

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