Ice Melt

Ice melt and rock salt by chemistry rather than by marketing name, because the five common de-icing chemistries are not interchangeable and the wrong one damages concrete, kills plants or hurts paws. Everything here is sorted by how cold it actually works and what it is safe on.

New to this? Read the ice melt buying guide first. It walks through which chemistry fits your temperature, surface and situation in about five minutes.

The Five Chemistries

New Concrete and Pavers

Concrete poured within the last 12 months should not see any chloride de-icer. Salt drives freeze and thaw damage and causes surface scaling that cannot be reversed. On new concrete, use traction grit instead and wait out the first winter.

• Under 1 year old: traction grit only, no chlorides
• Pavers: generally more salt tolerant than poured slabs, but CMA or magnesium chloride is safer
• Around pets: CMA and corn steep blends are the gentlest on paws
• Near planting beds: avoid rock salt, it accumulates in soil

Buy Before the Storm

Ice melt sells out regionally the moment a forecast turns, and prices spike. Buying in autumn costs less and guarantees you have the right chemistry rather than whatever is left. Stored dry in a sealed pail it keeps for years.