We finally got some snow in Upstate New York! The Mohawk Valley got about 4 inches over the weekend (just a spit o’ snow– I grew up in the Snow Belt between Lake Ontario and Lake Oneida; four inches is like a dusting there). The snow was wet and heavy, though, and still needed to be moved. Here’s a little tip for any of you novice snow shovelers out there. 
Spray your shovel with non-stick cooking spray before you begin shoveling. This will make the snow glide off the shovel. It works for spring digging, too! WD-40 is not a good idea to use outdoors, as it will get into the ground and contaminate the snow and soil below. Non-stick cooking spray is great because it’s a food product (veggie oils). Plus, you’ll be ravenous for popcorn when you’re done shoveling.
Non-stick cooking spray has other uses, too:
- After applying nail polish to your nails, spray a very light coat of non-stick cooking spray onto them. The polish will dry much, much quicker!
- Spray the cooking spray on the underside of your snow sleds. Wheeeeeeeeeeee! Hang on tight, boys and girls!
- Instead of melted butter on your popcorn, lightly spray your cooked popcorn with the butter-flavored spray.
- Spray plastic containers before you store your food leftovers in them. It will make the containers easier to clean later.
Have fun shoveling!
30. December 2009 at 5:36 am
I never thought about spraying storage containers before putting up leftovers – what a great idea! Thanks for the snow pics – I’m from the north, but live in the south (and I’m all about the virtual snow that doesn’t have to be shoveled…boo-yeah!
)
30. December 2009 at 11:17 am
We recently had 16″ of snow and while shoveling we had this problem. I told W that I thought cooking spray would help (I had read it somewhere) and he said nahhh, he didn’t think it would make a difference.
Well, now I can show him this and say uh-huh! Thanks!
30. December 2009 at 11:27 am
Jen-so you migrated! I know a lot of northerners who went south. I hear the taxes are 1/10 of what they are up here. Wow.
earthtoholly- lol! Yeah show him this post to end all dispute.
30. December 2009 at 7:56 pm
Great tips! I prefer to let hubby use the tractor to shovel the snow. I just do the deck with the shovel – so perhaps I’ll try the cooking spray trick next snowfall. Happy New Year!