The basic supplies needed to deal with ice and snow removal are typically a good snow shovel and a bucket of ice melt. Chemical de-icers are often a good option for preventing walking areas from becoming slippery, but when it comes to melting ice and snow with ice melt, it’s important to consider the safety of your plants and pets and look for an ice melt safe for plants. Many traditional chemical ice melters can be harmful to vegetation and animals if not used properly.
There are several organic and pet-safe alternatives that can effectively clear walkways and driveways without damaging surrounding greenery. Understanding different options for melting snow and ice will help you decide which ice melting solution is right for your needs.
What is Ice Melt and How Does it Work?
Ice melters are chemical compounds designed to help melt ice and snow on surfaces like sidewalks, driveways, and roads. They work by lowering the freezing point of water, causing the ice to melt at temperatures below the normal freezing point of 32°F (0°C).
The most common ice melters contain salts like sodium chloride, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride. These salts dissolve in the water on the ice surface, creating a brine solution that has a lower freezing point than pure water. As the brine solution forms, it helps to break down the bond between the ice and the surface, allowing the ice to melt more easily.
In addition to salts, some ice melters contain chemicals like calcium magnesium acetate or potassium chloride. These additives can improve the effectiveness of the melter at lower temperatures or provide other benefits such as reducing damage to concrete or metal surfaces.
When choosing an ice melter, it’s important to consider factors like the expected temperature range, the type of surface you’re covering, and any environmental or pet-safe concerns. Proper application and timing are also key to ensuring the ice melter works effectively to keep surfaces clear and safe so be sure to follow product directions.
Different Types of Ice Melt Products
Ice melters have different properties, and understanding their differences and key features can help you choose the right product for your needs and situation. These are some of the more common ice melters and their characteristics.
Rock Salt (Sodium Chloride)
Rock salt is one of the most common and affordable ice melters. It works by lowering the freezing point of water, causing ice and snow to melt. However, rock salt can be less effective in extremely cold temperatures, it is one of the more corrosive options, and can be damaging to concrete and vegetation. Rock salt is effective to around 15°F (-9°C).
Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride is a more effective ice melter than rock salt, as it can work in lower temperatures down to around -25°F (-31°C). It has an exothermic reaction with water (produces heat) to help melt ice quickly and it is less corrosive to concrete and metal surfaces. However, it can be more expensive and can irritate skin and eyes so care should be taken when handling.
Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium chloride is a more environmentally friendly option that is less corrosive to surfaces than rock salt. It is effective down to around -13°F (-25°C) and can be used on both paved and unpaved surfaces. However, it may be more expensive than other options and may be slower to melt ice than other products.
Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA)
CMA is a natural, biodegradable ice melter made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid (found in vinegar). It is less corrosive than traditional ice melters and is safer for plants and animals. However, it is only effect to around 15°F (-9°C) so may not be the best choice for regions with extremely cold temperatures.
Sodium Acetate
Sodium acetate is one of the least corrosive, most environmentally friendly options, but sodium acetate may also be one of the most expensive. On the plus side, it does have good residual effects so you may apply it less often than products that are cheaper. It’s effective to around 0°F (-17°C).
Ice Melt and Pet Safety
Becoming familiar with the chemicals commonly found in ice melt products can help you make informed choices about which products to use around your home. However, according to Consumer Reports, you should always be skeptical of “pet friendly” claims. You should research the ingredients in a product before buying to make sure you’re satisfied that the ice melt is safe enough to use around your home.
A good way to help keep your dog safe from paw irritation is by rinsing your dog’s feet after walks. This is particularly important if you walk your dog in public spaces where the type of ice melt used may be unknown. You also don’t want to let your dog lick or eat ice or snow that may have been treated with ice melt.
Additional Ways to Melt Ice and Snow
Organic Substances for Traction and Melting Ice
For those looking to avoid chemicals, natural substances like sand, kitty litter, or even coffee grounds can be helpful because they provide traction on icy surfaces and they’re safe for plants. They can also help melt ice faster as they absorb sunlight and provide heat for melting. You can also mix natural substances with chemical de-icers to help minimize the amount of chemical you need to apply. Keep in mind that some of these options could be messy if they get tracked into your home.
Liquid Ice Melt Safe for Plants
Liquid options include mixing vinegar or rubbing alcohol with water. Keep in mind that vinegar is acidic and can damage surfaces, such as concrete, that may be more sensitive to acids. Mix vinegar with equal parts water to make an ice melt safe for plants. Undiluted vinegar can damage or even kill plants. Alcohol can be mixed at a rate of ¼ cup of alcohol to a gallon of water. These options are best for small areas.
Sugar Beet Juice Deicer
Sugar beet juice has been found to increase the effectiveness of rock salt by extending its ability to melt at lower temperatures. The mix is being used more frequently for deicing public roads. If you decide to try using beet juice around your home, there are a few things to be aware of first:
- It takes more beet juice to get results than mixing rock salt with granulated chemical deicers.
- The sugar beet is white and higher in sugar than the red beetroot, so the sugar beet may be slightly more effective than the red beet.
- Sugar beet juice is sticky, and anything made from red beet juice can stain – your clothing, doormat fibers, and even your pavement.
Melting Ice Using Fertilizer
Granulated fertilizers often contain chemicals that can effectively melt snow and ice to provide an ice melt safe for plants. If your fertilizer contains ammonium sulfate, urea, or potassium chloride it may be suitable for melting ice. This option may not work as quickly as the more traditional de-icers, but it should be safe for most surfaces and plants. If you expect to do a lot of ice melting, look for fertilizer without urea, which can cause damage if it accumulates in large quantities. You can expect fertilizer to be effective to around 25°F (-3.8°C).
Ice Melt and Plant Safety
High concentrations of any types of salts pose a potential risk to surrounding turf or plants. Here are some additional tips for minimizing the amount of ice melt while still getting good results:
- In general, always use the minimal amount needed to melt the ice.
- Apply ice melt in light layers – a layer before snowfall and a layer during snowfall (additional layers may be needed during a heavy snow event).
- At points when the weather improves and the pavement dries, sweep up any accumulation of ice melter and dispose of it.
- To reduce the use of chemicals, mix your ice melt with other natural substances.
- Disperse ice melt with a drop spreader or hand spreader to get a more even distribution than applying by hand.
- Mix de-icers with rock salt to cut costs and reap the benefits of two products.
- In spring, when the weather warms and icy weather is past, thoroughly rinse the pavement with water and any surrounding turf or planting areas along the pavement to dilute any ice melt residue.
Protecting Trees in Winter
Trees can be one of the most vulnerable plants in your landscape in the winter. Low temperatures, heavy snow and ice, and even wildlife can contribute to damaging trees in winter. Learn more about the conditions that put your trees at risk and how to Prevent Winter Damage to Trees in our article.
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