Icy surfaces can be a serious safety hazard, for both drivers and pedestrians. Luckily, there are some common solutions for quickly thawing and making icy streets and walkways safer. Here are the three major types of deicing materials you should know:
Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride, also known as table salt, is one of the most efficient and inexpensive deicing agents you can find. Spreading salt onto an icy surface will prevent water from freezing through a process called freezing point depression. This prevents additional ice buildup and melts the existing ice into brine.
Because salt works by lowering the freezing point of water, it’s only effective down to a certain temperature. As long as temperatures are 27 degrees Fahrenheit or above, it makes an excellent deicing material that’s easy to keep at home and in your car.
Calcium Chloride
Calcium chloride, commonly called “ice melt,” is another option for deicing that works at much lower temperatures. If you’re dealing with icy surfaces in the 20s or below, a calcium chloride mixture will be most effective. You can find calcium chloride sold in most grocery and home goods stores as well as automobile supply shops.
Calcium chloride deicer comes in both granulated form and liquid form. The liquid solution is especially helpful to keep in your car, as you can spray it on your wind shield to thaw it quickly.
Abrasives
The third best option for making icy surfaces safer is any abrasive substance like sand or gravel. While this doesn’t melt the ice, it does create a surface that is safer to drive, ride and walk on. The friction created by an abrasive is perfect for getting out of an icy driveway or for helping you in an emergency situation where your tires are either stuck or slipping.
While you can use regular sand or gravel, another easy option for ice abrasive is cat litter. You might already have some for your furry friends, but consider keeping a small box in your car to help with icy roads when you’re away.
