Eco-friendly Salt Alternatives for Melting Ice and Snow

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Nikki Fotheringham

If you are facing the problem of snow shoveling, salt does do a great job of melting ice and snow through the winter but its bad news for your pets, the environment and your garden. Pets get salt on their paws which causes cracking, salt corrodes metal, damages concrete and wreaks havoc on your garden and lawn. With spring melt, all the accumulated salt ends up in your waterways where the local wildlife may not survive the seasoning. Here are some environmentally friendly ice melt alternatives that are kind to pets and to the environment.

Organic Salt-free Deicer

It’s a little pricier than salt, but these products will help to keep your walkways and driveways ice-free.

Pickle Brine

The brine from pickling helps to melt ice and snow. National Geographic claims it is better for the environment than salt, as it prevents ice from sticking to the road which makes it easier to remove. Pickle brine use means that 4 to 29 percent less chlorine is added to our waterways.

You can make your own brine recipe by mixing 2 lbs. of salt per gallon of water. Add a glass of sugar beet juice to get the ultimate de-icer.

Urea

This is a natural deicer and while it won’t harm your pets, corrode your metal or pit your concrete, it can be really bad news for your plants so avoid using it near the garden.

Alfalfa Meal

This is a super effective natural green ice melting miracle! It’s 100% natural and is usually used as a fertilizer. It’s grainy so it will provide traction and is extremely effective when used in moderation.

Sugar Beet Juice

The juice from sugar beets lowers the melting point of ice and snow which helps to clear your driveway. It’s even been used to melt ice and snow on municipal roads in some areas. It’s safe for animals, people, metals, concrete and plants.

You can make your de-icer recipe by mixing 2 lbs. of salt per gallon of water. Add a glass of sugar beet juice to get the ultimate de-icer.

Sand, ash from the fireplace or coffee grinds

Sprinkle these over your icy surfaces to provide traction and the darker colors will absorb more heat and help to melt snow and ice.

Don’t underestimate the importance of shoveling. A good shovel will clear your drive while giving you a wicked workout and it’s the most natural, environmentally friendly and green way to get rid of your icy bits this winter.

White Vinegar and Water Window Deicer Recipe

Mix 3 cups white vinegar with 1 cup lukewarm water in a spray bottle and spray in icy windows.

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45 thoughts on “Eco-friendly Salt Alternatives for Melting Ice and Snow”

John February 6, 2014 at 9:11 am

I’ve found that Morton’s Safe-T Pet is pretty effective and it’s relatively safe for your plants and soil (when used moderately). Shoveling before the snow gets compacted is always good too!

http://www.goodsweetearth.com/2013/01/28/melting-ice-without-killing-your-soil/
1. Nikki Fotheringham Post authorFebruary 6, 2014 at 10:05 am
  
  Thanks John!
David Guion November 8, 2014 at 8:36 pm

We don’t get a lot of ice here in North Carolina, but when we do, we get some wicked ice storms. Years ago, I bought a product called Driveway Heat because it was supposed to be better for plants and concrete than salt. Of course, no ingredients are disclosed on the label. So I certainly hope it’s not too awful in case I have to use any this year.

I used to live in the Chicago area, so I would like to comment further on the meaning of “a good shovel.” Look for one with sort of an S-shaped handle. That design is much, much better for your back! I’m glad I brought mine down here, because I have had to use it on a sloping driveway.
Susie November 11, 2014 at 6:45 pm

Awesome alternatives! Kitty litter is a must-have for MN drivers! Can you buy alfalfa in bulk? Where do you purchase it?
1. Nikki Fotheringham Post authorNovember 12, 2014 at 3:09 pm
  
  Yes! from your local hardware store
2. owen .R February 14, 2019 at 8:41 am
  
  Thanks for forwarding a nice alternative.
Kimi Wei January 28, 2015 at 10:23 am

What is Organic Salt-free Deicer and where is it sold?
1. Nikki Fotheringham Post authorFebruary 3, 2015 at 1:38 pm
  
  Hi Kimi! Here are some products for you to consider:
  http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4480784
  
  http://www.eco-solutions.net/private-organic-melt
  1. Kimi Wei February 3, 2015 at 10:43 pm
    
    Thanks!
Kimi Wei February 3, 2015 at 10:54 pm

The problem with beet products is that many beets are genetically modified 🙁
1. R McMahon December 9, 2016 at 3:50 pm
  
  AND THE REST OF THAT IS………..
  
  Increasingly cities have been using beet sugar to help melt ice. Beet sugar (or any sugar) increases
  the effectiveness of de-icing salt so you can use much less of it—which is great for watersheds and
  city budgets—but almost all beet sugar is genetically engineered, so its use encourages more
  GMO sugarbeets to be planted.
  
  And more GMO sugarbeets means a lot more toxic Round-up in the environment and on our
  dinnerplates, more soil fertility destroyed, more herbicide resistant superweeds, more
  genetic contamination of organic sugarbeets, beets and Swiss chard, and a greater monopoly
  over our seed supply by Monsanto. Yikes!
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Maria Smith Johnson April 21, 2017 at 4:58 am

well this looks amazing, and great instructions.
Michael December 26, 2017 at 9:59 am

Okay, so how do cities and states de-ice the roadways, so you can drive your eco-friendly car? Tankers full of pickle juice?
1. Nikki Fotheringham Post authorDecember 29, 2017 at 9:51 am
  
  Close Michael,actually it’s beet juice! It is natural, doesn’t harm the environment and it works like crazy! Here are some articles about cities that are using this method:
  http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/01/10/beet-juice-roads-canada_n_14060390.html
  
  http://time.com/5761/salt-shortage-triggers-beet-juice-cheese-brine-alternatives/
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reem zeyad June 18, 2018 at 4:05 pm

HI, Thanks for your great article and interesting photos about ice and pets also I like different alternative you suggest to melt and deal with ice and advantage and diadvantage of each method, However I am from Saudi Arabia that has no ice or snow but I found great pleasure to read about ice and snow adventure, Keep on writing you are really talented thanks Nikki
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aman December 11, 2018 at 1:52 am

i have used this product and you have explained the right and easy way for melting ice
Biobags supplier in Chennai January 21, 2019 at 3:20 am

My opinion is sugar beets lowers the melting point of ice and snow, which helps to clear your driveway. It’s even been used to melt ice and snow on municipal roads in some areas.
Alex Gorenstein February 10, 2019 at 8:09 am

Thank’s Nikki Fotheringham for your informative post. Just waiting for the next one.
Alternatives to rock salt March 18, 2019 at 7:59 am

Thanks Nikki for this post . You have shared good alternative to the rock salt. Keep sharing such insightful posts. Its really helpful.
Joshua Howard July 21, 2019 at 2:55 pm

Thank you for sharing this useful information! I like to use alfalfa meal. It’s a good alternative that works great.
snowlimitless August 10, 2019 at 4:27 am

Thanks for sharing this blog with us. It will be beneficial for us. Limitless Snow Removal is one of the best snow removal companies in Vancouver, BC. Visit us to Snow Removal Vancouver know more.
gardenley September 13, 2019 at 4:11 pm

Thanks for this beautifully written post with great knowledge.
Hil October 20, 2019 at 3:12 pm

This is excellent info! We’re going to need it this year. The winter weather forecasts look like a beast!
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Peter March 12, 2020 at 2:45 am

WOW, What a nice post for melting ice. Got all info form the single click and thanks a lot for such post. Thanks, Again
Shubham April 2, 2020 at 4:02 pm

thank you for this epic content Nikki, Thank you for the helpful article!
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gardenley November 23, 2020 at 7:34 am

Thanks for this beautifully writing post with great knowledge
David January 10, 2021 at 6:59 am

This is such a great idea for ice and snow, Do you have any alternate method or tips and tricks? I am doing some research work on melting, so I need more data on it. and Keep sharing good work with us

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