Do You Know What Is in Your Ice Melt?

Melting ice in the winter time is a necessity for some parts of the country. Do you know what is in your ice melt? The tried and true ice melt is salt all in its many forms and chemical names. Ice melt manufacturers have become savvy to the fact that consumers want products that are more conscious of the environment or pets. Like all products that come in contact with humans, read the ingredients on the package. Is it really harmless to you, your pet and the environment? Or is it still the same old stuff dressed up in a pretty package. Despite the happy face packaging, the ingredients list is more revealing.

Halite (Rock Salt): Also know as sodium chloride or common table salt, except halite is the crystalline structure that is mined straight out of the ground in unrefined chunks. This is the most common and least expensive ice melt for home use. It melts ice down to 22 degrees. However, it's not friendly to vegetation. That salt laden slush you shoveled out of your driveway and onto your lawn will melt and create a reseeding chore for your list of things to do come spring.

Calcium Chloride/Magnesium Chloride: Manufactured from naturally occurring brines, such as those found in the Great Salt Lake, these ingredients release an exothermic heat as they dissolve. Can be hazardous to human health; however, they are less corrosive and can melt ice down to minus-35 degrees. Both products tend to refreeze quickly and can leave a slippery residue. Mix with rock salt for a climate-customized ice melt.

Potassium Chloride (Potash): This is a common plant nutrient and not very effective as an ice melt at low temperatures. However, it can be mixed with other salts to effectively melt ice and do less damage to landscaping.

Urea: Urea is a common agricultural grade fertilizing nutrient. It is used around airports under strict contamination regulations. Not useful in environments sensitive to corrosion.

Ethylene Glycol: This liquid ice melt is usually mixed with liquid urea and sprayed from tanker trucks or sprayers. It's non-corrosive, so airports use it to de-ice planes. However, it is hazardous to animals, grass and the water supply.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA): This formula was developed specifically as an alternative to road salts. Biodegradable, non-corrosive and it inhibits refreezing if applied prior to a snow fall or an ice storm. However, the high cost (about 30 times more expensive than rock salt) makes it impractical for many uses. Nor does it melt well at low temperatures. Mixing even 20 percent of CMA with other ingredients can mitigate the damage done by other salts.

MG-104: Alpha methyl glucoside is its tongue-twisting chemical name. This is a corn by-product that speeds up ice melting. It is effective if combined with other ingredients and helps those chemicals to work at lower temperatures.

Making an ice melt blend from a select balance of ingredients reduces excessive concentration of any one ingredient. Apply the ice melt when precipitation starts. It will prevent the moisture from bonding to the surface and reduce the amount of ice melt needed.