Eco Friendly Salt Alternatives For Getting Rid Of Ice

The Winter season means ice, snow, chilly weather, and ice melt. Yes, soon, our driveways, sidewalks, parking lots are going to be filled with snow and covered with ice melt. But did you know that the majority of these ice melts are not safe for your property, pets, and the environment? Well, I said majority, not ‘all’. There are some environmentally friendly alternatives to the salt and ice melt.

Let’s discuss this in detail.

Eco Friendly Ice Melt

Biodegradable Ice Melt: Wave goodbye to lasting residues! Biodegradable ice melt swoops in as the eco-hero, breaking down naturally without a trace. Imagine a world where every grain helps rather than hurts, decomposing through the magic of microbe metabolism. This is environmental stewardship at its best—no pollutants, just purity.

Eco-Friendly De-Icer: Not all heroes wear capes—some come sprinkled over ice! Eco-friendly de-icers ditch the harsh salts like sodium chloride and embrace kinder alternatives like modified urea, CMA, or nature’s own, beet extracts. These gentle giants are tough on ice but tender on metals, concrete, and those green darlings in your garden, safeguarding our delicate water systems too.

Non-Toxic Ice Melt: Kid and pet-friendly, non-toxic ice melts steer clear of harmful chemicals. Products like Safe Paw champion the use of modified urea—no salt, no stress! It’s the kind of safety net that lets furry paws and tiny toes roam free without worry.

Sustainable Ice Melt: Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a way of life, even when it comes to melting ice. Sustainable ice melt marries eco-efficiency with ethical production, often sourced from recycled materials. It’s about doing right by the planet, one icy patch at a time.

Beet Juice Deicer: Unlock the power of sweetness with beet juice deicer. This clever concoction lowers freezing points and reduces re-freezing with a sticky residue that sticks it to Jack Frost. Not only is it gentle on the earth, but it also works like a charm, keeping surfaces safer, longer.

Ice Melt Safety

Safety in ice melt usage is not just about what product you use, but how you use it. Opt for ice melts labeled non-toxic and pet-safe to ensure they won’t harm curious critters or little ones who might come into contact with the treated areas. 

Melting ice safely is an art—think precision, minimalism, and a keen eye on the weather. Ice melt safety is about finding that sweet spot between effective and excessive. Choose wisely, spread evenly, and make every grain count to keep your winter wonderland pristine. Safe ice melt for pets is formulated to be effective without the harsh chemicals that can burn paws or pose health risks if ingested. 

Ice Melt Environmental Impact

The harsh truth? Some ice melts can play villain to our verdant landscapes. Ice melts, particularly those containing high levels of chlorides, can wreak havoc on our natural landscapes, causing ice melt environmental impact through toxic runoffs that endanger waterways and vegetation. But fear not—choosing eco-friendly ice melts can turn the tide, preserving the natural world. Let’s keep those streams sparkling and landscapes lush, even in winter’s embrace.

Ice Melt Application Tips

Efficiency in ice melt application means understanding when and how much to apply. Ice melt application tips include applying it before the snow begins to fall to prevent ice from bonding to surfaces, which reduces the amount needed. Also, consider using a calibrated spreader to ensure even distribution and avoid piling on more product than necessary. This method conserves your supply and minimizes environmental damage.

Winter Safety Tips

Navigating winter safely involves more than just keeping walkways clear of ice. Winter safety tips include regular monitoring of weather forecasts to anticipate ice build-up, using proper footwear equipped with traction aids, and ensuring that all walking surfaces are cleared and treated promptly. For those with mobility issues, keeping de-icing materials within easy reach and ensuring that pathways are regularly maintained can make winter a far safer season.

Salt- An Environmental Hazard

Rock salt and chemical-based ice melt can harm the environment when the warmer days arrive. As the sun shines, the calcium chloride and other harmful chemicals in the ice melt get carried away into streams. And these dangerous chemicals tend to pollute both flora and fauna. 

The aquatic life gets severely impacted due to the chemicals. 

Not only do the aquatic life and flora, and fauna get harmed, but the water supply of the region gets polluted too.

Apart from this, the chemicals in the ice melt damage the concrete. When it seeps indoors then the flooring gets damaged. 

Now that we know that ice melt can severely damage our environment including our water supply we should make sure that our ice melt is non-toxic and chemical-free.

Here are some environmentally friendly ice melt options:

1. Safe Paw Ice melt

This Safe Paw ice melt can be used without any after-thoughts as the product is an ice melt safe for concrete and pets. The product will not harm your flora and is 100 percent safe for your dearest pets even if ingested. Another property of it being non-corrosive helps or initiates immediate deicing exercise and hence does not cause any property damage. Lastly, it is safe for the environment- for land and all waterways as it comprises urea.

Other Ice Melter Products

Apart from Safepaw, here are some other ice melter products you can consider:

2. Beet Juice:

The sugar beet juice helps to reduce the melting point of ice. Sugar beet juice is used as a spreader for salt and keeps the salt (chloride component) in the solution. You can make the ice melt by combining 2 lbs. of salt per gallon of water. And, then add a glass of sugar beet juice to get the final ice melt. This de-icer is safe for flora and fauna, concrete, and human.

3. Pickle Brine:

The brine from pickling solution is another environmentally safe ice melt better than even salt. This ice melt prevents ice from adhering to the road that makes it easier to remove. Pickle brine comprises 4-29% less chlorine.

Closing Thoughts:

Other than the environmentally safe/friendly aspect, for ice melt, its efficacy in ultra-low temperatures, its cost-effectiveness are other important watch-outs that make ice melts a go-to option. 

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

Other Ice Melt Products