# How to Remove Ice Without Harming Plants
Deicing salt is the easiest, quickest option for removing ice. Sodium chloride is the cheapest and most popular deicing salt. However, the salt can damage any nearby plants and it can persist in the soil for quite some time. To lessen the chance of harming your plants, choose magnesium chloride salt instead. It not only melts at a lower temperature than sodium chloride but it is also less toxic to plants, releasing 40 percent fewer chlorides.
Things You'll Need
- Frost blanket
- Magnesium chloride salt
- Gloves
- Shovel
Instructions
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1
Cover your plants with a frost blanket to create a physical barrier between the treated area and the plants.
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2
Put on a pair of gloves to avoid drying out your hands.
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3
Broadcast magnesium chloride salt over the icy area at a rate of roughly 1/4 cup magnesium chloride salt per square yard. Avoid spreading the salt onto grass or plants.
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4
Wait for the ice to melt, which should take approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
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5
Scoop the melted ice up with a shovel and dump it in the trash can or an area far from any growing plants. Removing the magnesium chloride from the area will protect your plants from the negative effects of any runoff salt.
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6
Uncover the plants once the deicing salt has been removed from the area, if you wish.
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1
General Home Safety
- How to Get Ice Off the Sidewalk Without Salt
- How to Clear Ice on a Driveway Without Salt
- How to Salt a Driveway
- How to Melt Sleet on a Driveway Without Salt
- How to Get Rid of Ice Without Harming Concrete
- How to Remove Street Ice
- How to Remove Ice From Driveways and Walkways
- How to Melt Ice Without Using Heat
- How to Remove Gutter Ice
- How to Remove Sleet on a Driveway
- How to Salt a Driveway for Ice
- How to Remove a J-Channel Without Harming the Siding
