What Do They Use to De-Ice Driveways?

Salts

• Salts are the most popular de-icing agent. They are effective and readily available on the market. Rock salt, known scientifically as sodium chloride, is the most well known. It is popular for its ability to work quickly, even in temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Calcium chloride works even faster, and at temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. It is more expensive, but does less damage to metal and concrete. Potassium chloride, also known as potash, takes longer to work but it won't hurt plants like rock salt and calcium chloride. Magnesium chloride is another safe alternative if you want to avoid hurting plants, concrete and metal. It is the fastest working of all the de-icing salts, according to The Washington Post, and works at colder temperatures, proving effective down to negative 13 degrees Fahrenheit.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate

• Calcium magnesium acetate is a liquid that's often mixed with salt or sand and spread on roads and driveways. It is less corrosive than salt, but requires twice the amount as salt to achieve necessary effectiveness. While high concentrations may lead to decreased oxygen levels in natural bodies of water, it is environmentally preferable to salts, according to the University of Michigan.

Potassium Acetate

• Potassium acetate is an effective, albeit expensive, salt alternative. It costs roughly eight times as much as salt. On the plus side, it is both biodegradable and non-corrosive, and it works down to negative 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Potassium acetate is often used as a pre-wetting agent for solids, such as salt, or anti-slip agents such as sand or kitty litter.

Carbohydrate Liquid

• Carbohydrate-based liquids are another salt alternative. Beets and corn mash contain carbohydrates that, when liquidized, prevent the formation of ice. Not only are these liquids non-corrosive, they actually act as a corrosion inhibitor, according to the University of Michigan. When these liquids are mixed with brine and sprayed onto driveways or roads, they may be more effective than salt. They work at temperatures similar to calcium chloride, according to the Mother Nature Network.