– Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension
There are alternatives to salt for melting ice.
With winter comes ice, with ice comes salt, with salt comes salty soils and stressed plants in the spring. Did you know that there are many product options available for melting ice besides salt? Today we’ll look at the benefits and disadvantages of those options.
Salt is a great tool for treating slippery roads and sidewalks. It consistently works when applied appropriately. However, high levels of salt can leach into soils and inhibit plant growth when spring comes again. Plants damaged by salt accumulation will appear dehydrated. Salt in the soil draws water out of the plant cells and leads to quicker and more intense dehydration. Plants will often display chlorosis (leaf-yellowing), stunted growth, damage to uniform plant species that progressively change from bad to good as you move away from high traffic areas. Homeowners often associate the damage with a fertility problem or compaction.
There are many landscape plants that are considered “salt-tolerant” that could be selected for areas that are salted frequently. They include: turf type tall fescue, English ivy, junipers, Scotch pine, oaks, Norway maple, daylilies, bearded iris, and many more. To prevent salt injury in your landscape, use ice melt products as dictated on the label. The best prevention for salt damage is to select resistant plants in the first place. Then, provide irrigation to high-risk plants and turf in the spring and summer.
Some other ice melt products to consider using include the following ingredients:
- Calcium Chloride
- Potassium Chloride
- Magnesium Chloride
- Urea
- Sodium Acetate
- Calcium Magnesium Acetate
- Propylene Glycol
- Ethylene Glycol
- Rock Salt Blends
- Alternatives- Sand & Gravel (Although these do not melt ice, they do improve traction)
The most important factor to consider when selecting an ice melt product is your family’s safety. Common issues associated with ice melt products include:
- Dust Inhalation
- Skin Contact
- Sweet Flavor- Ethylene Glycol
- Pitted Concrete
- Discoloration
- Plant Damage
- Runoff into Waterways
In order to melt ice and create safer surfaces, the de-icer has to be applied within a specified temperature range to actively melt the ice. These temperatures range from as cold as -75°F to 20°F. Plain rock Salt, which is sodium chloride must be applied at temperatures greater than 20°F to actually melt the ice. Often conditions that create icey conditions are much colder. The minimum temperatures for ice melt activity by ingredient are as follows:
- Urea: 14°F
- Potassium Chloride: 12°F
- Magnesium Chloride: 5°F
- Acetates: 0°F
- Calcium Chloride: -25°F
- Propylene Glycol: -58°F
- Ethylene Glycol: -75°F
- Rock Salt Blends: Vary
- Sand & Gravel: ANY
With all products it is very important to read the instruction label and use caution while applying. Observe all safety guidelines. Use the specified rate. Store out of child/animal reach and in a dry place. Do not inhale dust. Wash hands after handling. After walking through a treated area, remove shows and clean pet paws.
Beware of home remedies for ice removal, especially on glass. Water/Vinegar solutions may slow ice buildup and are unlikely to damage glass , but they may damage paint and other coatings. Warm water can create a rapid change in temperature that can crack glass and water can refreeze in more hard to reach places. When it comes to de-icing your car, take your time, warm your car, and use a good ice scraper/snow brush.