Safe Snow and Ice Removal
Winter is just around the corner, bringing the snow and the ice with it. Homes have changed throughout the years, as well as the methods and materials used for snow and ice removal.
Today, homes not only have porches, but they have decks. Driveways may have surfaces such as stone, concrete, brick, or simply a grassy area. All of these factors leave the dilemma as to how to safely the remove snow and ice, without destroying the various surfaces that need to be cleaned, but to protect our environment and pets as well.
Find out why traditional ice melters are not safe, as well as cheap safe ways to melt ice and snow.
Today, homes not only have porches, but they have decks. Driveways may have surfaces such as stone, concrete, brick, or simply a grassy area. All of these factors leave the dilemma as to how to safely the remove snow and ice, without destroying the various surfaces that need to be cleaned, but to protect our environment and pets as well.
Find out why traditional ice melters are not safe, as well as cheap safe ways to melt ice and snow.
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Salt-Ice Melt Products
While growing up, it was common to have bags of salt, for snow and ice removal, sitting around. However, the chemicals in those products are not safe for your pets.
The main ingredient in most ice melt products is either sodium chloride or calcium chloride. Both sodium and calcium chloride can irritate a dog's paws or if they ingest it when cleaning their paws, or even lapping it up from puddles and the snow while outside.
The main ingredient in most ice melt products is either sodium chloride or calcium chloride. Both sodium and calcium chloride can irritate a dog's paws or if they ingest it when cleaning their paws, or even lapping it up from puddles and the snow while outside.
Calcium Chloride-Sodium Chloride-Rock Salt
Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride products can harm new concrete or asphalt surfaces. It is can also harm wood. If grass and other vegetation gets over saturated with this chemical, again, damage can be done.
Sodium Chloride (Rock Salt)
Sodium Chloride, (Rock Salt), is another chemical. You often see the white marks on your door mat or floor as the ice and snow melts from your clothing and shoes.
There are safer ways to take care of melting the ice and snow, instead of worrying about pets, which ice melt, is safe for porch but not wood deck, etc. Sodium Chloride is lethal for pets. If you insist on using these products you should educate yourself about the Do’s and Don’ts of Ice Melts.
Calcium chloride products can harm new concrete or asphalt surfaces. It is can also harm wood. If grass and other vegetation gets over saturated with this chemical, again, damage can be done.
Sodium Chloride (Rock Salt)
Sodium Chloride, (Rock Salt), is another chemical. You often see the white marks on your door mat or floor as the ice and snow melts from your clothing and shoes.
There are safer ways to take care of melting the ice and snow, instead of worrying about pets, which ice melt, is safe for porch but not wood deck, etc. Sodium Chloride is lethal for pets. If you insist on using these products you should educate yourself about the Do’s and Don’ts of Ice Melts.
 
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Cheap and Safe Ways to Remove Ice and Snow
Two of the best products for snow and ice removal is found right in your kitchen, which is Morton table salt or possibly Kosher salt. Morton also has a snow/ice melt product that is safe to use around pets.
The only real difference between Kosher Salt and Table Salt is that Morton Table Salt is fine, while Kosher Salt is grittier with grains of salt being larger. It can get to be rather expensive since you usually get both at the grocers who sell small boxes of them, rather than large bags. |
PET SAFE ICE MELTERS
There are a number of ice melters that are safe for pets.
MORTON® SAFE-T-PET® PET CARE ICE MELT
Morton® Safe-T-Pet® was developed with veterinarians in order to have an ice melt product that would be safer for our furry friends. It’s completely salt and chloride free formula won’t irritate pets’ paws or stomachs while clearing he ice and snow.
Chlorides present in ice,melters such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride or magnesium chloride may act as irritants to pets’ paws and stomachs, sometimes even lethal. Morton® Safe-T-Pet® is completely free of chlorides to help you clear ice and help keep your pets safe
 
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SAFE PAW
When winter snow and ice arrive many people use ice melter to prevent slips and falls. But did you know that most ice melters contain salt that can harm your pets, children, and the environment?
Gaia Enterprises Safe Paw™ Ice Melter is 100% salt-free and is guaranteed pet and child safe (MSDS)! Safe Paw has been used and recommended with confidence for years by veterinarians, animal hospitals, groomers, shelters, and humane societies making it the #1 selling brand! Product Information Safe Paw™ is the only 100% salt-free ice melter on the market that is 100% safe for pets, children, surfaces, and the environment. Safe Paw's pellets are green to make it easy for consumers to distinguish it other salt melters such as rock salt. Benefits include: Guaranteed safe for pets and children Environmentally safe Won't harm decking of any kind Safe on asphalt, concrete, and pavers Safe on plants and shrubs Proprietary traction agent (helps prevent slips and falls) Won't stain or destroy flooring Source for Product Information |
 
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Sand-Kitty LitterOther abrasive materials like kitty litter, saw dust, or wood ashes can be used to create traction on icy walkways if sand is not available. These products are used on roads, primarily for traction. They are not meant to be ice or snow melters.
It pays to keep a bag of kitty litter or sand in your car, for the purpose of gaining traction, should you get stuck on ice or snow. Of course, if you use them frequently, you need to consider the mess that will be awaiting you when Spring comes and the snow is gone, but not the litter, sand or saw dust. Choose sandbox sand over mason's sand, which is too fine. Or try alfalfa meal, a slow-acting fertilizer that also helps melt snow—your yard will love you. Remember most kitty litter is nothing but clay, which may leave you clumps of mud. |
