Furthermore, if you buy your ice melt ahead of time, you won’t have to travel to the store in icy conditions in order to buy it! You can buy ice melt at most hardware stores and home improvement stores.
Examples of exothermic deicers include calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. Most ice melts are mixes of multiple substances, so choose one that has a large proportion of one of these chlorides for best results. Oftentimes, the packaging for commercial ice melt will state whether its exothermic or endothermic.
If you’re working with an exothermic deicer, be sure to cover your hands with safety gloves while handling the ice melt. Avoid creating piles of ice melt in any single location.
The best way to avoid long-term damage to porous surfaces from the use of ice melt is to quickly remove the salt once the ice has melted. If possible, apply a sealant to any concrete surface you intend to put ice melt on. Concrete is technically porous, so the ice melt could theoretically damage it (though this usually doesn’t happen).
Salt can damage grass and other flora, so avoid spraying the salt into any plants or soil, if possible. If the melted ice is relatively slushy, simply use a snow shovel to scoop it up and remove it to avoid making a mess.
For best results, go with small pellets rather than coarse ones. The coarse pellets will not be as efficient at melting ice.
Note that this mix can be harmful to grass and other plants, so avoid spraying it too close to your yard or other planted areas.
Note that because they rely on absorbing heat from the sun in order to be effective, ashes should only be used to melt ice outdoors.
For example, if you have ice on your car windshield or a small wooden porch swing, this would be a small enough area to warrant using sugar or table salt instead of ice melt.
This method isn’t always successful, so you should only use it as a last resort if no other option is viable. Because this method doesn’t melt ice as quickly as salt, you should only use it on small areas (e. g. , a car window) where ice has accumulated.
If possible, wear heat-resistant rubber gloves as you do this, in order to avoid burning your hands on the hot water. If you have a deep enough sink, you can also place the item in the sink under the faucet and simply allow the water to run.
For best results, place a towel underneath the ice as you melt it in order to catch the water as it rolls down from the ice block.
