You might not think of it as much, but ice can be dangerous. It’s slippery, cold, and hard to see in the best of conditions. In the winter, ice can also be hidden beneath a layer of snow. And that means that slips and falls are more likely than at any other time of year. Epsom salt is basically magnesium sulfate; a white salt made from minerals found in the soil around the Epsom spa in England. It has several uses as an ingredient or standalone product, and one of those is melting ice on your driveway or sidewalk. Does it work? Does Epsom salt even melt ice? Keep reading to find out all about using Epsom salt to melt the ice!
Can You Use Epsom Salt To Melt Ice?
Yes, Epsom Salt can be used to help melt Ice. The Magnesium and Sulfate in the Epsom Salt will help lower the freezing point of water. Once the water is softened by the Maginex and Sulfate in Epsom Salt, you can easily chip away at the ice with a shovel. Epsom Salts are also great for plants and gardens. They are a natural way to add magnesium and sulfate to the soil, which can be difficult to achieve through regular fertilization methods.
How Does Epsom Salt Help Melt Ice?
Add a little warmth to your step
The first way Epsom salt can help melt ice is by adding a little warmth to your step. One of the most common ways Epsom salt is used to help melt ice is by adding it to warm water to create a soothing foot soak. Foot soaks are great for helping your body recover after a long day on your feet. They can also help you relax and fall asleep faster at the end of the day. Adding Epsom salt to warm water is also a great way of softening calluses on your feet and keeping your skin healthy. If you’re someone who works in a restaurant, you know how important it is to keep your feet healthy. Whether you’re on your feet all day or on them for long hours, you’re at risk for a lot of different foot problems like blisters and calluses. Epsom salt foot soaks are a great way to help keep your feet healthy.
Scrape away the ice
The second way Epsom salt can help melt ice is by scraping away the ice. If you’re ever unfortunate enough to get ice or frost on your car, you know how difficult it can be to remove. Luckily, Epsom salt can help melt ice and make scraping it away a little easier. If you have ice on your windows, try sprinkling some Epsom salt on top of it and then using a scraper to remove it. It might take a little longer to remove the ice, but it will definitely help make it easier. This same trick can be used on windows and other surfaces that have frost or ice on them. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe the salt onto frost and ice before scraping it away. It might take a little longer, but it will definitely make the job easier.
Use it to melt snow
The third way Epsom salt can help melt ice is by using it to melt snow. If you get a blizzard or a really heavy snowfall, you might have some snow that doesn’t melt right away. Like ice, snow can be difficult to remove. Luckily, Epsom salt can make it a little easier. Sprinkle some Epsom salt where the snow is piled up and give it a few minutes. The salt will help melt the snow and make it easier to remove. This same trick can also be used to help melt ice. Simply sprinkle a little Epsom salt on top of the ice and give it a few minutes. The salt will help melt the ice and make it easier to remove.
Make a homemade ice melt
The fourth way Epsom salt can help melt ice is by making a homemade ice melt. A homemade ice melt is basically a salt-based ice melt. They typically contain Epsom salt as well as other ingredients. You can find commercial ice melts at most stores or you can make your own homemade ice melt. A homemade ice melt can be a little more expensive than a commercial ice melt, but it’s definitely worth it if you’re concerned about using chemicals around your house. Some of the best ingredients to add to your homemade ice melt include Epsom salt, baking soda, and corn starch. These three ingredients work together to help melt ice and make it easier to remove. They are also safe to use around your home and yard.
Try Magnesium Chloride instead
The fifth and final way Epsom salt can help melt ice is by trying Magnesium Chloride instead. Magnesium chloride is a salt that works in a very similar way to Epsom salt. Bath salts have amazing abilities to help melt ice and make it easier to remove. The main difference between the two is that Epsom salt is typically used in baths or foot soaks, and Magnesium Chloride is typically used as an ice melt. If you’re looking for an ice melt that’s similar to Epsom salt, Magnesium Chloride is a great choice. It’s a little more expensive than Epsom salt, but it is a great option. It’s also important to note that Magnesium Chloride works best in warmer temperatures and will not work as well in colder temperatures.
When Can You Use Epsom Salt To Melt Ice?
- Because Epsom salt is a salt, it will only help to melt ice when it is in a saturated solution. The good news is that it doesn’t take a lot of salt to saturate the solution.
- You only need about two tablespoons of salt per gallon of water. If you add the salt to the water and then let it sit for about an hour, it will likely be ready to use by the time you need to get outside. If it isn’t, you can always heat the water to speed up the process.
- You can also add a little more salt if you need to. The best times to use Epsom salt to melt ice are when the temperature is above freezing and there is no rain in the forecast. This means that it will work best in the early spring when the ground is still cold enough to freeze.
When You Shouldn’t Use Epsom Salt To Melt Ice?
- There are a few instances where you should not use Epsom salt to melt ice. First of all, if you have a lot of ice to deal with, you should probably hire a contractor to come to do it for you.
- When melting ice with Epsom salt, you have to be careful not to let the water get into the ground or down a storm drain. If the water gets into the ground where the roots of your plants are, it can kill them. And if the water gets into the storm drain, it can travel to your local river and pollute it.
- Epsom salt can also be harmful to pets if they eat it. So, make sure that you keep it out of reach of children and pets while it is working.
Pros Of Using Epsom Salt To Melt Ice
- Epsom salt is a cheap and safe alternative to using chemical ice melts. It can be used to melt ice in any weather condition, and it is easy to apply.
- You just sprinkle or spread it over the ground where you want to melt the ice. Epsom salt also doesn’t produce any harmful fumes or odors as some chemical ice melts do.
- This makes it safer for your plants and safer to apply around kids and pets.
- Folks who want to avoid using chemicals in their garden can also use Epsom salt to melt ice.
- Since Epsom salt is a naturally occurring mineral, it is completely safe for plants.
Cons Of Using Epsom Salt To Melt Ice
- Epsom salt does work to melt ice, but it works slowly. It can take several hours to achieve a noticeable result.
- Since Epsom salt is a salt, it is not safe to use where animals like to walk. So, you will have to keep people and pets off the area while it is working.
- Epsom salt can also damage concrete and asphalt so you need to keep it away from those surfaces until the ice is gone.
- Epsom salt can be a bit messy to work with, and it can stain clothes if you aren’t careful.
Bottom Line
Epsom salt can be a safe and effective way to melt ice in your yard or driveway. It is an environmentally friendly, chemical-free solution that can help you avoid costly repairs to your lawn, sidewalk, or driveway. If you are careful, you can also use it in your garden to melt ice on trees and shrubs without using harmful chemicals. And it is much cheaper to buy Epsom salt for melting ice than it is to buy an ice melt. So, it is a great way to save money and protect your garden and property from ice damage.
