We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Types of Ice Melt?

By G. Wiesen
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 36,228
Share

Though there are many different brands of commercially available ice melt for use in melting ice and snow, there are really only two major types. The first type contains some form of salt; these can be identified on the label as chloride. The other major type contains urea, which is often used in fertilizer and at higher concentrations can be used to more safely melt snow and ice.

Ice melt is a product designed for use in climates of extremely cold weather and typically comes in fairly large granules that can be sprinkled over an area of snow and ice. These products tend to work in a way similar to natural salt, which lowers the freezing point of water, thereby causing already frozen water in ice or snow to begin to melt. Rock salt itself is fairly expensive, and can be quite harsh on a variety of different surfaces and vegetation, so a number of alternative types of ice melt products have become increasingly available for use.

One of the most common types of ice melt products are those that include some form of salt, and these are typically identified by the word “chloride” on the packaging. Common salt varieties include potassium chloride, which only works at temperatures above 25° F (just above -4° C); sodium chloride, which works in temperatures as low as 10° F (just below -12° C); magnesium chloride, which works down to -22° F (-30° C); and calcium chloride, which can melt ice at -25° F (about -31° C). These salts can be very damaging to vegetation, however, and at temperatures below -25° F (-31° C), they will no longer prevent water from freezing. Ice melt brands that use these chemicals are fairly affordable, and these salts are often blended in ways unique to each brand.

The other common type of ice melt is a product that includes a chemical known as urea, which is a chemical compound found in mammalian urine. The urea used in the product is typically synthetic, however, and though urea is commonly used in fertilizer, it is usually found in higher concentrations in products designed to melt ice. Products that use urea can typically melt ice at temperatures at or above 20° F (about -6° C), but they can also be less harsh on concrete and similar surfaces. These products are often more expensive than those using salt, however, and they can still cause damage to vegetation and surfaces such as wood flooring or carpeting.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-ice-melt.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.