What is Ice Melt?
By Nick Linden - December 3, 2025
Ice Melt: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Choose the Right Kind
Each winter, as temperatures drop and sidewalks turn slick, ice melt becomes one of the most important tools for staying safe outdoors. But not all ice melts are created equal—and choosing the wrong type can damage concrete, harm pets, or simply fail to work when you need it most.
Here’s a clear, practical guide to understanding how ice melt works and how to choose the right product for your needs.
Ice melt is a chemical product designed to lower the freezing point of water. When applied to ice or snow, it helps break down the bond between frozen moisture and the ground, making surfaces safer to walk or drive on.
Most ice melts are made from salts or salt blends, including:
- Sodium chloride (rock salt)
- Calcium chloride
- Magnesium chloride
- Potassium chloride
- Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)
Ice melt works through freezing point depression—a chemical process where adding certain substances lowers water’s freezing point. Some ice melts also generate heat as they dissolve, helping them work faster in very cold temperatures.
There are two main mechanisms:
1. Exothermic (heat-releasing)
- Example: Calcium chloride
- These products release heat when they interact with moisture.
- Pros: Very fast acting, works in extremely low temperatures.
- Cons: Can be more corrosive and expensive.
- Example: Rock salt
- These absorb heat from the environment to begin melting.
- Pros: Affordable, widely available.
- Cons: Slow in very cold temperatures; often stops working below ~15°F (-9°C).
Rock Salt (Sodium Chloride)
- Best for: Basic de-icing in moderate winter conditions
- Pros: Cheap and effective for light ice
- Cons: Damages concrete, plants, and metal; unsafe for pets’ paws
- Best for: Extremely cold conditions
- Pros: Works down to about -25°F (-32°C), fast-acting
- Cons: Expensive and can be harsh on surfaces
- Best for: Cold climates with concern for pets and vegetation
- Pros: Less corrosive than rock salt, works down to ~ -13°F
- Cons: More expensive than rock salt
- Best for: Mild temperatures and sensitive areas
- Pros: Plant-friendly
- Cons: Not effective below ~20°F (-6°C)
- Best for: Environmentally sensitive areas
- Pros: Very low corrosion, safe for concrete and ecosystems
- Cons: One of the most expensive options
Many homeowners now look for pet-safe options. True pet-safe melts avoid harsh chlorides and rely on:
- Magnesium chloride (in controlled amounts)
- CMA blends
- Apply before snowfall when possible; it prevents ice from bonding.
- Use the correct amount. More is not better—overuse causes damage and runoff.
- Sweep up leftover granules once the ice has melted.
- Store ice melt in a dry container to prevent clumping.
- Avoid applying on new concrete (less than 1 year old), which is more vulnerable to chemical damage.
Ice melt chemicals can:
- Contaminate waterways
- Harm wildlife and vegetation
- Corrode infrastructure