The Best Ice Removal Products for Your Home and Car
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Best Ice Remover for the Environment
There are all kinds of ice melts on the market, from simple rock salt to others with a bewildering list of chemical names. To keep your property ice-free with minimal environmental impact, look for a calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) de-icer. Be sure to choose a pure CMA product such as Wicked Snow and Ice Melter rather than a “CMA coated” option.
CMA de-icers become less effective as the temperature dips below 0 degrees F. If you expect weather colder than that, go with a calcium chloride ice melt such as Snow Joe Melt-2-Go. Calcium chloride is rougher on nearby vegetation, but it works in colder temperatures and costs significantly less.
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Best Pet-Friendly Ice Remover
Many of the most efficient ways to remove ice are potential hazards to pets. This is especially an issue for dogs who walk through treated areas and frequently taste items on the ground.
Pet-friendly ice removers use less aggressive ingredients like urea. Avoid ice melts with ethylene glycol, a common ingredient in antifreeze. An excellent choice is Morton Safe-T-Pet ice melt, which is also recommended by the American Kennel Club.
No matter what kind of de-icer you use, you can’t control what your neighbors use! It’s a good idea to lead your dogs through a shallow tray of warm water once they come in from a walk, or wipe off their paws with a towel.
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Best Ice Remover for Mild Freezes
If you have snow or ice buildup and the temperature is only slightly below freezing, your best bet is usually traditional rock salt. Other chemical compounds are suggested for much colder temperatures. But if you expect to stay at 5 F or higher, the cost often isn’t worth it.
Keep in mind that rock salt can damage concrete if allowed to refreeze, so be sure to clear the resulting slush off concrete patios or driveways as quickly as possible. And don’t shovel that snow and ice onto flower beds that salt can damage.
