Unexpected cold snap or snow? You can use these common household items to remove snow and ice

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There's nothing worse than being caught off guard by a storm or cold front with a decent amount of cleanup to do afterward. Especially if you live in an area that doesn't typically experience snowstorms, you might find yourself without the necessary winter tools to deal with the snow and ice buildup.

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Before intense cold weather moves through, make sure you've got the essentials ahead of time. Even if you live in a warmer climate, the occasional cold front or snowfall can still occur. That's why it's always a good idea to have an ice scraper, ice melt, a snow shovel and even some preventative frost shield.

►More: 5 essential ways to prepare for a snowstorm

If it's a little too late to stock up on those tools and a storm is inevitable, there are still ways you can deal with whatever Mother Nature throws at you. Cleanup might be a little less efficient and more time-consuming, but it's not impossible. With the help of items you have around the home, you can get rid of the snow and ice like a pro. Here's what you need.

►Related: Dangerous winter storm, bitter cold rolls across winter-weary East

How to remove ice from your windshield without a scraper

Not only is a fresh sheet of ice on your windshield an annoyance—especially if you're already running late for work—but it can be a dangerous obstruction while driving. Thankfully, you've got some options if you don't have an ice scraper handy.

Whatever you do, do not pour hot water or any sort of vinegar solution to defrost the windshield, as this can actually do more harm than help on your car. If you don't have an ice scraper, you'll need a little bit of patience.

Set your temperature control to defrost if you have an automatic system. Make sure the temperature is on full heat—once warm enough, use a squeegee or a soft brush to start cleaning. Remember to turn on your heated rear windshield, too, and properly clean it off so you can see out the back.

If possible, park in a sheltered garage or overhang. If that's not an option, AAA says you can lay a tarp, large towel or even an old sheet on your windshield, using your wipers to keep them in place, to keep it from getting icy or prevent snow from piling up on the windshield itself. All you have to do is remove the protective layer from your windshield after the weather has cleared and your windshield will be as good as new.

Before a cold front moves through, pre-treat your car's windshield with an ice and frost shield if you can, as this can help prevent any stubborn ice from building up in the first place. 

How to de-ice your walkways without ice melt

If you're caught with ice around your home after a cold front, don't try to precariously step around it. Slipping on ice can hurt and can even cause some pretty serious damage,

To see which ice melt alternative works the best, the Reviewed team built a backyard ice rink, testing sand and kitty litter against ice melt. The clear winner: sand, which even beat our Blue Heart ice melt in terms of creating the best traction. Kitty litter didn't do much in providing traction. 

If you don't have sand at the ready, you may be able to use table salt you already have at home. We took to our labs to test the impact of table salt on ice and it sufficiently melts. It's just not as powerful as a commercial rock salt product. When we tested it, the table salt turned our ice into slush, and while this eliminates that slippery surface, it can be heavy and difficult to move, especially when dealing with large quantities.

With that in mind, this quick trick would be most useful for small, thin layers of ice such as a small walkway or your home's front steps. Keep in mind that table salt will only work in temperatures down to about -6°F, so anything colder may call for a quick run to the store for real ice melt. 

How to shovel snow without a snow shovel

If you need to shovel out your car or walkway and you don't have a snow shovel, don't panic just yet. While it may end up taking some extra time to clear snow, cleanup is possible with just a regular digging shovel. 

"In a pinch, yes it can be used," says Leigh Harrington, managing editor for Home at Reviewed.  "I would suggest one with a flat bottom over a spade-shaped bottom—you can always use the spade-shaped bottom to break up ice." 

This top-rated digging shovel made by Fiskars features that spade-shape to get a real handle on stubborn snow and ice. Harrington warns not to leave your shovel outside in the snow, though. Be sure to dry it off after clearing snow so that it doesn't end up rusting or corroding.

Another way to move piles of snow is by sweeping it—quite literally. You can use a broom to push around and clear the way—something large and wide like this broom from Amazon would work. You can also collect the snow using a dustpan or a bucket, as WFMY News 2 suggests.

If you're dealing with a large amount of snow and don't have a snow blower to make things easier, you could actually opt for a leaf blower. While you may not be able to get through heavy, packed snow, you should be able to move around small amounts of light and fluffy snow with ease.

Our favorite leaf blower we've ever tested is the Worx WG520, as it's ultra-powerful yet easy to carry around. Just be sure to avoid any snow or water from touching any electrical gear. 

How to go sledding without an actual sled

Snow doesn't always have to be an inconvenience—in fact, it can be especially fun for regions that don't get to experience it as often. If you're looking to have some fun in the snow with the family, but don't own a sled, there's an alternative for that.

You can get really creative here—large plastic lids, blow-up kiddie pools, an outdoor couch cushion (if you don't mind it getting a little dirty), a large plastic tarp or even a broken-down cardboard box are just a few examples of what you can use from around the house for an impromptu sled. 

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