Janitorial & Sanitation Reference Library · Wall Charts

Ice Melt Selection Chart

How common ice melt products compare for cold performance, surface effects and plant and pet concerns, and why the maker's lowest effective temperature should guide selection.

Ref JS-0215

Draft, open for review. Check every value against the governing standard and the manufacturer’s data before use.

What it is

Ice melt products lower the freezing point of water so ice turns to brine and lets go of the pavement. Each chemical works down to a different temperature. Below that point it melts very slowly or not at all. Each one also has different effects on concrete, metal, plants and pets. Sand and grit do not melt ice. They only add traction.

How to use it

Check the forecast low and the surface temperature, not just the air temperature.
Pick a product whose maker lists a lowest effective temperature below the expected temperature.
Check the surface: new concrete, pavers, stone, or metal.
Check what is next to the surface: lawns, plantings, pets, carpeted entrances.
Apply at the label rate. More is not better.

Common ice melt types

Product	Cold performance (relative)	Surface and metal effects	Plant and pet notes
Sodium chloride (rock salt)	Works in mild cold; slows sharply as it gets colder	Corrodes metal; can harm poor-quality or young concrete	Can harm plants and lawns; irritates paws
Calcium chloride	Works in very cold weather; gives off heat as it dissolves	Corrodes metal; leaves slippery residue if overused	Can harm plants in large amounts; irritates skin and paws
Magnesium chloride	Works in cold weather	Generally less corrosive than rock salt	Generally gentler on plants than rock salt
Potassium chloride	Works only in mild cold	Moderate	Often used in plant-friendly blends
Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)	Works only in mild cold	Low corrosion; gentle on concrete	Low plant impact; higher cost
Urea	Works only in mild cold	Low corrosion	Fertilizer runoff concerns
Blends	Depends on the mix	Depends on the mix	Read the label
Sand or grit	Does not melt	Abrasive; tracked inside	Clean up in spring

Use the maker's stated lowest effective temperature for each product. These relative rankings are for comparison only.

Key points

Apply before or early in the storm when you can. Breaking the bond is easier than melting thick ice.
Shovel or plow first, then treat what is left.
Many concrete and ice melt makers advise against using deicers on new concrete. Follow the concrete maker's advice.
Tracked-in ice melt damages floor finish and carpet. Use entrance matting and clean entrances often.
Store ice melt dry and sealed. Calcium chloride absorbs moisture and clumps.

Common mistakes

Using rock salt in deep cold and wondering why it is not working.
Over-applying, which wastes product and damages surfaces and plants.
Treating sand as an ice melt.
Ignoring the residue on entrance floors until the finish is damaged.

Governing standards: No single standard governs ice melt selection. Use the product label, the SDS and the concrete or paver maker's guidance.

Reference only. Verify against the current governing code or standard, the manufacturer's data and the project documents before use. Apps for Distributors disclaims liability arising from reliance on this reference.

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