The first responsible step to take is acquiring plenty of ice melt early to avoid panic buying, long lines, and depleted inventories. Make sure to purchase enough to last you the whole winter plus additional fall and spring storms. Store your snow fighting supplies in a dry, easy to access location.
When to Use Ice Melt
The first application of ice melt should come just before snow is supposed to fall. Spreading a light amount of deicer can prevent ice from bonding to pavement, and make shoveling much easier.
As you shovel snow, sprinkle down a light handful about every other stride. Using granular ice melt on patches you have just cleared will increase your traction.
Temperatures are higher while the sun is up and plunge during the night hours. As a result, freeze/thaw cycles can create dangerous ice slicks on previously shoveled pavement. For extremely cold nights, it may be helpful to sprinkle another light application over your shoveled areas to prevent another freeze cycle.
More Ice Melt Tips
- Use leftover ice melt from last winter before new product. If old product has clumped a little bit, break apart chunks so you can disperse evenly. Deicers without added liquid will have a longer shelf life.
- Address the most important areas first. Focus on stairs and entry or exit points in front of doors and gates. Then you can move on to driveways and other paths.
- Disperse deicer in responsible amounts. If you notice a lot of product leftover after snow melts, use less next time.
- On sloped surfaces, start high and work your way down. Brine will gently flow down the slope and undercut ice on its way down.
- Aim for even coverage, not quantity.
- Avoid using deicing materials on new concrete. Wait at least a year before exposing fresh concrete to deicers. (Click here to learn more about ice melt and concrete).
Use Responsibly
Moderation is key if you want to use ice melt safely.
Ice Melt, Children, and Animals
Most ice melt products contain harsh additives that can be harmful if ingested. With these products, supervision is required to avoid some mouth irritation and digestive upset. According to Poison Control, the majority of ingestion incidents cause no problems at all and just require drinking extra fluids. Gently rinse and wipe sensitive soft tissue area (like paws) if salt causes some irritation.
Thankfully, Nature's Blend is an all natural deicing product without these harmful additives, that is safe to use around children and animals. Our OMRI certified organic blend has a proven track record of safety and has been used for decades by agricultural and animal health experts.
Ice Melt and Plants
Use ice melt responsibly to protect the vegetation that borders your paved surfaces. Excess salt levels can affect plants’ ability to intake water and nutrients and inhibit new growth. Remember that less is more when it comes to deicer application. Be sure to use an ice melt without added liquid chlorides and dyes. These compounds quickly leach out of the granules and are more destructive to vegetation.
Did you know? The minerals in Nature's Blend are naturally nourishing for soil and plants! Our sea minerals invigorate soil microbes and offer a full spectrum of trace minerals that plants and soil love. Follow the recommended application rates and you will no longer have to worry about burning or harming your yard and garden.
The Nature’s Blend Advantage
Purchasing the right deicer alleviates a lot of winter worries and restores winter fun! Nature’s Blend from Ice Slicer gives you the power of high performance road salt but is natural and safe to use at home with your children and pets.
Our all-natural, granular deicer melts faster and lasts longer than traditional white salt. With no additives or harsh chemicals, Nature's Blend is gentle on concrete, and safe for kids, pets, and landscaping.
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FAQs
Lay it in layers. Always use a gentle hand when applying any type of ice melt to concrete. Lay down a thin layer before a storm, then another light layer during the storm. As the snow falls, the salt goes into solution and makes it easier to shovel or otherwise clear away the snow and ice.
How to properly use ice melt? ›
Lay it in layers. Always use a gentle hand when applying any type of ice melt to concrete. Lay down a thin layer before a storm, then another light layer during the storm. As the snow falls, the salt goes into solution and makes it easier to shovel or otherwise clear away the snow and ice.
Should you put ice melt down before or after it snows? ›
Applying ice melt prior to a storm will cause brine to form when snowfall starts and will prevent ice from bonding to surfaces. While it may not completely melt all the snow that falls, applying ice melt prior to snowfall will simplify ice and snow removal.
What is the best environmentally friendly ice melt? ›
Magnesium chloride is considered the least toxic deicing salt because it contains less chloride than either rock salt or calcium chloride, making it safer for plants and animals. Still, it has levels of chloride that can cause issues. Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) is considered the best choice for safely melting ice.
How to melt ice without damaging concrete? ›
Use Safer Deicing Chemicals
Instead of resorting to rock salt, there is a wide array of commercial ice melt products that are less corrosive and safer for the environment, including calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate, and beet juice salt.
When should you not use ice melts? ›
Is Ice Melt Bad for Concrete or Wood? The short answer to this is yes, some kinds of ice melt can be bad for concrete and wood. For newer or previously damaged concrete, some ice melts can corrode and further damage concrete surfaces.
How long should I let ice melt sit for? ›
Every ice melt has a unique property that helps it to perform under different weather conditions. While some may work best within 20 mins, others may take around 45 mins to melt ice.
Is ice melt bad for concrete? ›
Calcium chloride ice melt products are ideal if you're hoping to minimize the damage to your concrete but you still need a cost-effective solution. It has a lower practical operating temperature compared with rock salt so it won't cause as much structural damage to your concrete in low temperatures.
Can I put ice melt on top of snow? ›
Ice melt is a substance applied to surfaces to melt snow or ice. You can use it before snow and ice to prevent buildup or on top of existing snow and ice to break down the snow and ice into slush.
Will rain wash away ice melt? ›
Liquid ice melt should not be used if there is rain or freezing rain predicted before or during the winter event you are preparing for. Rain will wash away the liquid ice melt that has been applied to the surface. This includes forecasted freezing rain that is anticipated before or during a snowstorm.
Rock salt is best if you need a cost-effective solution that offers instant traction on snow and ice. Ice melts have different levels of effectiveness in terms of melting temperatures, de-icing capabilities, and environmental risks. Always do your research to ensure you're buying the most suitable ice-melting products.
What ice melt won't damage driveway? ›
Magnesium chloride is consistently ranked as one of the best and safest ice melts for concrete on the market. Unlike some other ice melts, you can safely use magnesium chloride in heavily vegetated areas. It also has other benefits: Non-corrosive.
What is the safest ice melt for sidewalks? ›
Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) and Sodium Acetate (NAAC) are often considered the finest concrete-safe ice melt solutions available. When applied to concrete, both CMA and sodium acetate are much less corrosive than a number of other ice salts.
What ice melt won't damage concrete and grass? ›
Calcium chloride is typically the best choice because it melts ice at very low temperatures, all the way down to -25 degrees Fahrenheit, and is a relatively safe choice for lawns and landscapes when applied appropriately.
Can you use windshield washer fluid to melt ice on a driveway? ›
Another de-icing product to consider is windshield washer fluid.
Which salt doesn't damage concrete? ›
The most expensive, yet safest type of driveway salt is calcium magnesium acetate! This salt will not cause any damage to your driveway, and it's also pet-friendly and environmentally friendly!
Does ice melt need to be covered? ›
Avoid Moisture
Airborne chlorides draw moisture from the ice melt, degrading and hardening the product. Although ice melt only absorbs moisture from the air when humidity is above 75%, avoiding moisture altogether is recommended, as it will decrease its effectiveness or the product may turn hard like concrete.
How do you melt ice efficiently? ›
Salt, baking soda, and sugar will all act to lower the freezing point of the ice, making it melt quicker than the untouched ice cube.
Will ice melt damage concrete? ›
The truth is, most ice melts react with concrete to some degree, but some ice melts will react less with the concrete. The problem is that salts react with the calcium silicate hydrates in the cement of the concrete. The best option for concrete is often Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) or Calcium Chloride.
Our all-natural, granular deicer melts faster and lasts longer than traditional white salt. With no additives or harsh chemicals, Nature's Blend is gentle on concrete, and safe for kids, pets, and landscaping.