Frequently Asked Questions

As ice melters dissolve and melt ice or snow, a brine solution is formed. The dissolved ice melter ingredients lower the temperature at which the brine solution will refreeze, resulting in a slush you can shovel off your driveway or walkway.

There are three main ways to use deicer products:

• To melt ice or snow as it falls, apply ice melter prior to any accumulation.
• To combat sleet and freezing rain, apply early to prevent ice buildup and bonding.
• To clear the excess after a large accumulation, spread deicer on stubborn ice or packed snow.

When applying ice melters, be sure to spread evenly, avoiding piling or overspreading. Remove the resulting slush right away and reapply as needed.

Ice melters differ by their ingredients, ingredient combinations, and the ingredients’ performance characteristics.

There are three main types of ice melters:

• A single ingredient product is exactly what it sounds like — it contains only one ingredient.
• A simple blend product contains particles of different ingredients mixed together in one bag.
• A manufactured product consists of multiple ingredients processed together so that each particle contains all of the ingredients.

Yes, the size and shape of an ice melter do make a difference.

• Small particles melt snow quickly and can dissolve before they fully penetrate the ice.
• Large particles are more likely to penetrate the ice, although they may not completely dissolve to create a brine solution.
• Pellet-shaped products flow smoothly through spreaders due to their rounded shape, making them easy to use.
• Flake-shaped products reduce bounce and scatter due to their large flat surface.
• Medium-sized granules stay put to effectively melt ice and snow, and resist refreezing longer.
• Crystal-shaped products provide rapid ice penetration and help prevent deicing product from scattering where you don’t need it.

Bottom line: the most effective ice melters are optimally sized particles with both ice-penetrating and brine-forming characteristics.

Products containing calcium chloride are the best choice for melting ice in extremely low temperatures, down to -25 degrees Fahrenheit (-31.67°C).

Safe Step® Calcium Chloride 7300 ice melter generates heat to begin melting snow and ice on contact and offers one of the lowest melting temperatures available.

Ice melters in excessive amounts can have adverse effects on pets. However, magnesium chloride and potassium sulfate are two ice melter ingredients that are known to be safer for people, pets and vegetation.

Safe Step® SurePaws® deicer offers pet-friendly ingredients with exceptional ice-melting performance.

All ice melters have the potential to accelerate the freeze-thaw cycle, a natural enemy of concrete. Lower-quality concrete is more prone to damage, so always use deicers on good-quality, air-entrained concrete for cold-weather climates that is more than one year old. To reduce potential concrete damage, immediately remove the slush that forms from the melted snow and ice.

Formulated with our MG 104® melting catalyst, Safe Step® Enviro-Blend® 6300 deicer resists refreezing longer than conventional ice melters to help reduce the freeze-thaw cycle that can cause harm to concrete. Safe Step® Dual Blend® 4300 and Dual Blend® Blue 4300 deicers are made with sodium chloride, magnesium chloride and a corrosion inhibitor to deliver enhanced ice melt action that’s gentler on concrete compared with traditional deicers.

Use ice melters only on good-quality, air-entrained concrete for cold-weather climates that is more than one year old. Do not use on concrete that is less than one year old, has exposed aggregate, is precast, stamped, pre-stressed, chipped, cracked, spalled or weathered; or on stone, brick, mortar joints or wood.

No. Some ice melters can damage roofing materials, corrode roofing nails, and therefore destabilize a roof’s structural integrity. Deicers can also cause pitting in aluminum gutters and downspouts. Additionally, the runoff from the brine solution created by the ice melter can cause damage to surrounding surfaces and vegetation.

Some common ice-melting ingredients can leave residue on carpeting when tracked indoors. It is recommended to immediately remove the slush that forms from the melted snow and ice outdoors to reduce tracking ice melter products indoors, as the residual dirt and stains can require heavy shampooing or special cleaning agents.

Safe Step® SurePaws® deicer is made with a patented formula that helps prevent stained carpets if tracked inside on paws or shoes.

If too much ice melter product falls on or near vegetation, the vegetation can struggle to absorb essential nutrients. Some deicers can burn or kill grass with contact. Other ice melter products use ingredients that are safer for plants. To choose an ice melter that is safer for grass and plants, look for one that is communicated as being gentler on skin, pets, plants, concrete and vegetation.

Safe Step® Magnesium Chloride 8300® ice melter performs in low temperatures while also being gentler on vegetation compared with traditional ice melters.

Store unused product in a dry area; seal container tightly. Do not store where leaking contents could cause damage to the surrounding area.

Safe Step ice melters contain ingredients that are hygroscopic, which means they absorb moisture. Over time, moisture can accumulate in the package, causing the product to harden and form clumps. Store in a dry area and seal the container as tightly as possible to help reduce hardening and clumping.