Why should I use Natural Alternative® Ice Melt?
Did you know the average cost for a person who slips and fall on ice is around $40,000? Applying Natural Alternative® Ice Melt around your car and on your walkways reduces the chances of falls and slips on the ice during the winter season.
Why choose Natural Alternative® Ice Melt over rock salt?
Natural Alternative® Ice Melt is much better for the environment because it does not contain high salt concentrations and is less corrosive. Our ice melt is designed with the environment and pets’ paws in mind. Our ice melt products are safer for pets’ paws and will not harm lawns or vegetables when used as directed. Rock salt can be very damaging to the soil, plants, and lawns. Any areas where there is runoff can be damaged for years from high salt concentrations.
Which Natural Alternative® Ice Melt should I choose?
Natural Alternative® Ice Melt can be used on most surfaces – any hardscapes or concrete need to be at least a year old. It is safer than rock salt and can be used around pets, waterways, lawns, shrubs, and trees without harm when used as directed. It works up to -16°F.
In addition to our regular Natural Alternative® Ice Melt products, we also offer our C.M.A. (Calcium Magnesium Acetate) Ice Melt that can be used on newly installed hardscapes and concrete at least 30 days old. Our CMA Ice Melt is not a blend like others found in the market. Our CMA Ice Melt is chloride free. It will dehydrate the snow and ice into oatmeal like consistency making the snow and ice easy to remove. CMA works to 15°F.
When should I apply Natural Alternative® Ice Melt?
Applying Natural Alternative® Ice Melt prior to snow fall or freezing rain is always best. It will create a brine once it comes in contact with moisture keeping your walkways and other surfaces from freezing. Apply throughout a snowstorm as needed.
How do I apply Natural Alternative® Ice Melt?
You can apply Natural Alternative® Ice Melt with a spreader or by hand. Our ice melt is applied at 3 lbs. – 8 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. Remember more is not better with our product. A little goes a long way.
How fast and how long will Natural Alternative® Ice Melt work?
It is always best to apply Natural Alternative® Ice Melt prior to a snow or ice event. As soon as our product comes in contact with moisture, it begins to form a brine that melts ice and snow immediately. One unique attribute is it is long-lasting, reducing the need for numerous numbers of applications. Natural Alternative® Ice Melt is coated with a blend of natural enhancers that interrupts the freezing, thawing refreezing cycle – minimizing slippery conditions.
How do particle size and shape influence the melting capabilities of Natural Alternative® Ice Melt?
Natural Alternative® Ice Melt has angular-shaped granules that are screened and sized to consistently outperform spherical pellets by having more surface contact, resulting in maximum melting performance.
Why is Natural Alternative® Ice Melt colored?
We color our Natural Alternative® Ice Melt with an organic colorant so it is visible when you make an application.
What is the white residue from Natural Alternative® Ice Melt?
The white residue is the effect of the product working, and most of it disappears with the melting of the snow. If any white residue is left over, it can be removed with water. The key is not to over-apply the product.
What are the ingredients in our Natural Alternative® Ice Melt product?
The active ingredients in our Natural Alternative® Ice Melt product are sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride and a proprietary blend of natural enhancers. These ingredients are blended together to provide a safer alternative to traditional ice melt like rock salt.
Our CMA Ice Melt contains Calcium Magnesium Acetate with a bio-based activator for faster melting and lower freezing temperatures.
How long can I store Natural Alternative® Ice Melt?
Our Natural Alternative® Ice Melt does not absorb moisture and has an almost unlimited shelf life provided it stays in an area that is dry. The organic coloring can fade or settle over time.
Does Natural Alternative® Ice Melt cause side effects to turf and vegetation?
High Concentrations of salt can kill turf and damage vegetation. Natural Alternative® Ice Melt does not contain high percentages of these ingredients and therefore, is much gentler for lawns, pets, and the environment.
Is Natural Alternative® Ice Melt safer for my pet?
Our Natural Alternative® Ice Melt is the safer alternative for pets. Rock salt can actually heat up as high as 175°F. Exposure to this can cause severe inflammation of the paws and serious digestive problems including vomiting and internal burns of the mouth and digestive tract. Natural Alternative® Ice Melt is blended to be powerful yet safer for your pets.
Is Natural Alternative® Ice Melt safe for flagstone?
You can use our Natural Alternative® Ice Melt on flagstone, less is more when working with flagstone. We typically recommend our C.M.A. Ice melt on soft materials like flagstone. Over-application of any salt-based product can lead to damage. Our C.M.A. Ice Melt is completely chloride free.
Is Natural Alternative® Ice Melt safe for my concrete?
Our Natural Alternative® standard ice melt products are recommended for concrete surfaces at least one-year-old. For concrete surfaces less than a year old, use our C.M.A. Ice Melt. For specifications on cold weather use, contact the Portland Cement Association.
Is Natural Alternative® Ice Melt safe for my colored stamped concrete?
You can use our Natural Alternative® Ice Melt on colored stamped concrete, however, be sure not to overapply. Only apply if the concrete has been cured for at least one year. For concrete surfaces less than a year old, use our C.M.A. Ice Melt.
Is Natural Alternative® Ice Melt safe for my brick walkways?
Our Natural Alternative® Ice Melt can be used on brick and other hardscape surfaces without issues when used according to the label. All cured surfaces should be at least a year old prior to using our standard ice melt. We recommend our C.M.A. Ice Melt for surfaces cured in less than a year.
Is Natural Alternative® Ice Melt safe for new wood or composite decks?
Natural Alternative® Ice Melt can be used on wood and composite decks. Caution: if your deck is made of softwood, walking on the granules right after an application can make indentions. After winter is over it is recommended to give your deck a good rinse, this is to keep your hardware safe from product build-up.
Is Natural Alternative® Ice Melt safe on my roof?
We have not tested our product to be used on roofs. As such, we do not recommend it.
Is Natural Alternative® Ice Melt safe for marble?
We do not recommend using Natural Alternative® Ice Melt on marble. Marble is usually very porous and can break apart easily with freeze and thaw cycles.
Will Natural Alternative® Ice Melt damage my car?
Our Natural Alternative Ice Melt is less corrosive to metals than rock salt. It is recommended to rinse your car periodically or at least at the end of the ice melt season. This will also protect your car from the ice melt they use on the roads and highways.
Natural Alternative Ice Melt® is chloride based. How is it better?
We have chlorides in our product however, we blend it with different percentages compared to rock salt, making our product safer for the environment, waterways, lawns and pets. The granules are coated with a powerful ice melting activator to initiate faster melting and perform at lower temperatures.
