What Can Be Used in Place of Rock Salt to Melt Ice on Sidewalks?

Magnesium Chloride

• This substance occurs naturally and is very effective as a deicer. It costs more than rock salt but generally is less expensive than other solutions. It works well in temperatures as cold as minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit and does not need to be used in large amounts to be effective. This compound can be found in liquid, flake or pellet forms. It is much more environmentally friendly than rock salt and is generally safe around pets, plants and children. It may cause problems when used on wooden decks, damaging both the structural integrity of the deck and promoting ice buildup by helping to trap moisture in the pores of the wood.

Fertilizer

• This should be considered only as an emergency solution for melting sidewalk ice. Fertilizer typically contains urea, which is an effective ice-melting agent, as well as certain natural salts, which also contribute to the process. But when used to melt ice, the amounts are overwhelming for nearby plants. Foliage and root damage may result, and ultimately exposed plants are likely to die. Another problem is that the phosphorous and nitrogen from the fertilizer end up being washed away because the frozen soil can’t absorb them, allowing these elements to pollute local streams, rivers, ponds and lakes.

Acetate

• There are several kinds of acetate deicers that may be sold as either liquids or in dry form: potassium acetate, calcium magnesium acetate and sodium acetate. These organic compounds are highly effective for melting sidewalk ice as well as ice in garages, concrete lots, airports and environmentally sensitive areas. They are very environmentally friendly and break down almost completely without causing the kinds of problems found in many other kinds of deicers. Acetates tend to be quite expensive.

Calcium Chloride

• This deicer has been used for more than 100 years and occurs naturally in some underground waters. The water is brought up and dried into a refined product, causing this compound to be more expensive than salt or magnesium chloride. It will melt the ice from sidewalks and other surfaces in temperatures down to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, making it more useful than many deicers. It has some of the same problems as salt and is not as easy on the environment as some products. Calcium chloride, however, is affordable and works well in most situations.