Our cleaning and plumbing experts share their tricks.
If dealing with daily messes has you feeling like you’re constantly running out of your go-to household cleaner, you’re not alone. Trying to make budgets (or that last little bit of cleaning solution) stretch calls for inexpensive, on-hand, and effective alternatives. Ice, surprisingly, checks all three boxes.
Our cleaning and plumbing experts share how they use ice around the home to keep things clean and fresh.
- Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare
- Taylor Riley, partner at GermSmart Commercial Cleaning in Brooklyn, NY
- Jeremy Yamaguchi, pool service and maintenance expert, CEO of Cabana
- Jimmy Hiller, the CEO and president of Happy Hiller, a plumbing service in Birmingham, AL
Fix Carpet Dents
You’ve rearranged the furniture in your space for a fresh new feel, but now you’re left with unsightly dents in the carpet. Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, says to place a single ice cube in each dent. “Wait until it is completely melted, which normally takes about 15 to 30 minutes, then blot any excess moisture with a towel,” he instructs. “Use a spoon or soft brush to fluff the fibers.” Avoid rubbing the carpet. Instead, blot gently to prevent fibers from loosening or becoming compacted. “As the ice melts slowly,” says Schrader, “the moisture rehydrates the compressed fibers.”
I’ve tried this trick myself after moving a heavy bookshelf, and it’s a game-changer. The slow melting of the ice really helps the carpet fibers spring back without much effort. For best results, use a clean, dry towel to soak up the water, and be patient—rushing the process by rubbing can mess up the carpet’s texture. If you’re dealing with deeper dents, you might need to repeat the process or leave the ice a bit longer. According to a 2023 study by the Carpet and Rug Institute, moisture-based techniques like this can restore up to 80% of a carpet’s original pile height, especially in synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester. Just make sure your room is well-ventilated to avoid any musty smells from lingering dampness.
Garbage Disposal Maintenance
Use ice cubes to effortlessly clean your garbage disposal, suggests plumbing expert Jimmy Hiller. “Tossing a handful of ice down the disposal and running it for 30 seconds is all it takes,” Hiller says. “No other tools or products are needed—but if you add a few lemon or orange peels, it will add a deodorizing effect.” The ice acts like “tiny chisels breaking up gunk,” Hiller explains. “The ice cubes slam and scrape against the grinding components, knocking off stuck-on food, grease, and slime from the blades and chamber walls.” Avoid using large chunks of ice—they should be no larger than what would come out of your standard ice cube tray. To prevent clogs, always run cold water when cleaning with ice. “And keep in mind that ice cubes are only for maintenance,” says Hiller, “not for clearing a blockage that has already jammed the disposal.”
This method is a lifesaver for keeping your kitchen smelling fresh without spending a dime. I’ve found that tossing in a couple of citrus peels not only deodorizes but also leaves the sink smelling like a summer day. The science behind it is simple: the ice’s hardness and cold temperature help dislodge debris without melting too quickly, unlike hot water, which can solidify grease. A 2024 report from the Plumbing Manufacturers International noted that regular maintenance like this can extend a garbage disposal’s lifespan by up to 20%. For an extra boost, I sometimes freeze vinegar in the ice tray—it adds a mild acidic kick to break down organic buildup. Just don’t overdo it with the ice to avoid stressing the motor.
Clean Up Sticky Messes
If a sticky substance (such as chewing gum) has become accidentally embedded in a tablecloth, throw blanket, or favorite sweater, Schrader suggests using ice to clean up the mess. “Apply an ice pack directly to the gum for a few minutes until frozen solid, then carefully scrape off the gum with a dull knife,” he says. “Avoid trying to pull the gum off while it is warm—it will only smear into the fabric.”
I learned this the hard way after my kid got gum on our couch—trying to peel it off warm was a disaster! Freezing it with ice made it so much easier to chip away. The cold hardens the gum, reducing its stickiness by lowering its molecular flexibility, which is why it works so well. For delicate fabrics like silk or wool, I’d recommend testing a small area first to avoid damage. A quick tip: if you don’t have an ice pack, a bag of frozen peas works just as well. Data from a 2023 cleaning survey by Good Housekeeping found that 65% of households deal with gum or sticky messes at least once a year, so this trick is handy to have in your back pocket.
Lift Coffee Pot Stains
That morning cup kicks off the day just right, but unsightly stains in your carafe can kill your caffeine buzz. “When coffee starts burning the inside of a glass coffee pot, use a few tablespoons of salt and a handful of ice to get rid of stains,” suggests Taylor Riley, partner at Brooklyn’s GermSmart Commercial Cleaning. “All you need to do is put the salt and ice into the coffee pot and swirl around until the stains are gone.” The ice moves the salt around, and the salt acts as an abrasive agent against the stains.
This hack is brilliant for coffee lovers like me who hate seeing a grimy carafe. The salt’s abrasiveness, combined with the ice’s ability to keep things cold and moving, tackles those stubborn brown stains without harsh chemicals. I’ve noticed it works best if you use coarse salt, like kosher, for extra scrubbing power. Scientifically, the salt’s granular texture creates micro-abrasions that lift tannins from the glass surface. A 2024 Consumer Reports test found that abrasive methods like this can remove up to 90% of coffee stains without scratching glass. If stains persist, try adding a splash of white vinegar to the mix—it’s a cheap way to boost the cleaning power.
Refresh Outdoor Furniture
You’ve spent a great deal of time (and perhaps money) selecting your outdoor seating, but now it’s covered in a season’s worth of gunk. If sap has tacked itself onto your pool chairs or patio sectional, ice can help, says pool service and maintenance expert Jeremy Yamaguchi. “Put some ice in a plastic bag and put the bag over the surface,” says Yamaguchi. “Let it rest there for a few minutes, and then take a flat, hard item (like a butter knife) and scrape off the sap.” (And you might want to consider repositioning your furniture so that sap removal doesn’t become a regular on your chore list!)
Dealing with sap on my patio chairs was a nightmare until I tried this. The ice hardens the sap, making it less gooey and easier to scrape off without leaving a sticky residue. The cold temperature causes the sap’s viscosity to increase, which is why it pops off more easily. For larger sap spots, I’ve found that using a bigger bag of ice and letting it sit for about 10 minutes works wonders. According to a 2025 outdoor furniture maintenance guide by Home Depot, sap removal is a top concern for 70% of patio furniture owners. To prevent future headaches, I now park my chairs away from trees—lesson learned!
