Road Salt Versus Ice Melt: What Actually ‘Melts’ The Ice (And Kills Your Plants)

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There are a slew of options when it comes to winter deicers, from road salt to ice melt options that tout higher safety for plants and animals. Choosing the wrong one could cost you more than just slippery sidewalks.

So how do you determine which one is right for you? We’re breaking out everything you need to know about winter deicers, including ingredients, application and seasonality tips, plus some popular picks for the winter-to-spring transition season.

Road Salt Versus Ice Melt: What’s The Difference?

Road salt (sodium chloride) is generally cheap and effective, but it's also corrosive and deadly to plants. It’s made of natural minerals, and while it won’t dissolve or melt the ice, it acts by lowering the freezing point of water. For example, if the freezing point is 32 degrees, a salt solution may lower the freezing temperature to 15 degrees. Road salt is typically used in highway deicing, adhering to the asphalt and concrete. It’s critical for proper pre-application to work.

Ice melt products (calcium chloride or magnesium chloride) are hygroscopic, meaning it attracts moisture from the air to create a liquid brine. These different chemical options can also generate heat as they dissolve, lowering the freezing point to lower/negative degrees. While it uses different chemicals that work at lower temperatures and generally cause less damage, they come with their own trade-offs and higher price tags.

Some drawbacks for both options include potentially harmful environmental impacts on soil quality or local water systems, damage to surfaces with repeat application and metal surface corrosion.

When it comes to environmental impacts from ice melt products, calcium chloride can be damaging to plant life if overapplied, while magnesium chloride is generally considered more environmentally safe, but both types are expensive. Practically speaking, all three options will have some adverse effects on plants by varying degrees.

Tip: even with “pet-friendly” claims, you’ll want to rinse your pet’s feet as soon as they are back inside the house.

Application Tips: Before And After Winter Storms

Road salt is best for temperatures above 15-20°F, but if it’s colder than that, it’s best to look for a salt blend or ice melt product.

• Pre-storm: Apply liquid brine solution (3.5 cups of salt per gallon of water) or granular deicer 12-24 hours before freezing rain or light snow (under two inches). This prevents ice from bonding to surfaces. It's especially effective for spring storms when you get that mix of rain turning to ice.
• Post-storm: For heavy snow (three or more inches), shovel or plow first, then apply granular salt or ice melt to prevent refreezing and handle any remaining ice layer.

Tip: Be sure to wear gloves during application because ice melt ingredients can irritate your skin. If the concrete is less than one year old, do not use deicer products.

Regional Considerations

Application strategy will vary by region.

• Northern/Heavy Snow Areas: Deicers are mainly for after removal. You can't salt your way through eight inches of snow, it's simply not cost-effective and doesn't work well. Focus on shoveling or plowing, then treat what's left.
• Southern/Ice-Prone Areas: Chemical treatment is often the primary strategy since they get more freezing rain and thin ice layers that de-icers can actually penetrate.

Planning For Winter-to-Spring Timing

Late winter to early spring is actually when deicers become more important, not less. Those temperature swings create dangerous refreeze cycles as water melts during the day, then freezes into slick ice overnight. This is why you may end up using more product per storm than in January.

Tip: Spring storms are often the most treacherous because they alternate between rain and ice. Pre-treatment becomes crucial during this period.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I use regular road salt versus ice melt products?

• You can use road salt (sodium chloride) when temperatures stay above 15°F since it's relatively cheap and effective, especially if you are using it on areas with little vegetation and areas pets don’t frequently walk through.
• Switch to ice melt products (calcium chloride or magnesium chloride) when temperatures drop below 15°F, as road salt stops working. Choose ice melt if you have expensive landscaping nearby, pets that walk on treated areas or concrete less than a year old.

2. Which deicer is safest for my plants and lawn?

Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) or potassium chloride (KCI) are your plant-friendliest options, though they're pricier and considered less effective in extreme cold.

Avoid sodium chloride (road salt) near plants as it builds up in soil and can kill vegetation even months later. If you must use salt, apply it sparingly and rinse nearby plants with water when temperatures allow.

Best Selling Road Salt And Ice Melt Options

Now that you know how road salt and ice melt products work, we’re rounding up some of the best selling deicer options sorted by form and ingredient list, areas of application they may best suit, and some pros and cons to each option.

1. Safe Step 3300 Sodium Chloride Crystal Halite/Rock Salt Ice Melt

Price: $13.99 at Ace Hardware (50 lbs.)

Form: Granular crystals | Key Ingredients: 100% sodium chloride (rock salt/halite)

Features:

• Most economical ice melt option
• 100% pure rock salt with no additives or fillers
• Spreads and melts ice effectively in moderate temperatures
• Widely available at hardware stores and home improvement centers
• Large 50-pound bag covers extensive areas cost-effectively

What to know:

• Only works effectively down to 5°F at lowest range; ineffective in extreme cold temperatures
• Not pet-friendly and can cause paw irritation or harm if ingested
• Not safe for vegetation and can kill plants, grass and damage soil long-term
• Cannot be used on concrete less than one year old or poor-quality surfaces
• Restricted use: not suitable for exposed aggregate, stamped, precast or weathered concrete
• Not intended for roofs, gutters or downspouts due to corrosion risk
• Some customers report crystals are too coarse and chunky for easy spreading
• Increases freeze and thaw cycles which can accelerate concrete surface damage over time

2. Snow Joe Premium Enviro Blend Ice Melt

Price: $50.99 at Amazon and Target (50 lbs.)

Form: Granular crystals | Key Ingredients: Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA), sodium chloride, magnesium chloride

Best for: Homeowners looking for a CMA/salt rock blend, those wanting visible application coverage

Features:

• Contains CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) blend that acts as an anti-corrosion agent
• Works immediately on contact and effective down to -10°F, according to the company
• Green-coated crystals provide visual confirmation of coverage area
• Time-release formula stays active longer for extended freeze and thaw protection
• Residue-free application won't track indoors on shoes

What to know:

• Significantly more expensive than basic rock salt
• While marketed as “pet-safer” it still includes concentration levels of of road salt (sodium chloride) which is not as plant or pet friendly as other blends
• Some users report white residue on dark surfaces despite "residue-free" claims
• May not be as immediately effective as pure calcium chloride in extreme cold
• Green coating can stain lighter concrete or pavement temporarily
• Requires more storage space due to larger crystal size

3. Safe Paw Pet-Safe Ice Melt, Salt & Chloride-Free Deicer

Price: $85.99 at Amazon and Walmart (35 lbs.); $29.99 at Petco.com (8 lbs.)

Form: Granular crystals | Key Ingredients: Modified carbonyldiamide (urea derivative), glycols, non-ionic surfactants

Best for: Pet owners, households with children, environmentally-conscious users, properties with expensive landscaping or newer concrete

Features:

• 100% salt and chloride-free formula safe for pets even if ingested, according to the company
• Veterinarian-approved and recommended formulation
• Claims to work effectively down to -2°F with patented dual-effect compound
• Includes traction agent to prevent slips beyond just melting ice
• Covers 100 square feet per pound
• Non-corrosive and non-conductive, safer for delicate surfaces and equipment
• Attracts heat and works with sun's natural warmth for enhanced daytime effectiveness

What to know:

• Significantly more expensive than other options
• Blue tint can leave noticeable coloring on light-colored driveways and surfaces
• Container design makes opening and dispensing difficult according to user reviews
• Mixed opinions on value; some find it worth the premium, others consider it overpriced
• Cannot be used on concrete less than 12 months old (same restriction as other products)
• Less widely available than standard ice melt products
• May require testing on small areas before full application

4. Prestone Driveway Heat 9.5-lb Bucket Natural Ice Melt Granules

Price: $12.98 at Lowe's; $10.97 at The Home Depot

Form: Fine granular pellets | Key Ingredients: Calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, calcium bromide

Best for: Extreme cold climates, large driveways and parking areas, users wanting fast results, properties with concrete over one year old

Why we chose it:

• Claims to be extremely effective down to -25°F thanks to calcium chloride formula
• Concentrated formula
• Creates exothermic reaction for fast ice melting on contact with moisture
• Melts to clear solution with no white, powdery residue left behind
• Safe for concrete, asphalt, brick and stone when used correctly
• Will not stain surfaces or harm vegetation when used as directed
• Fine grain size works well in hand-crank spreaders for large area coverage

What to know:

• Generates heat during chemical reaction that can burn human and animal skin, and requires gloves and keeping pets away
• Fine white grains are difficult to see during application; requires careful measuring to avoid over-application and damage to surfaces and plants
• More expensive per pound than basic rock salt, though concentrated formula offsets cost
• Mixed customer reviews on effectiveness with thicker ice accumulations
• Some users report concerns about potential concrete and deck damage despite "safe" claims
• May require more product than expected for larger areas according to some reviews

Price accurate and item in stock at time of publish.

Be sure to let us know your favorite picks in the comments below!