Winter Salt-ernatives: Environment-Friendly Tips for Deicing
January 2, 2026
When it comes to winter salt, less is more. Not only is a small amount of salt necessary to melt ice, using too much can damage landscaping, harm pets and local wildlife, and contaminate streams and drinking water. Follow these tips to be salt smart this winter.
Shovel early and often. Deicers work best for melting thin layers of snow or ice. So, shovel first, break up any ice patches you can and then add the deicer.
Use less salt. Sprinkle deicer sparingly and evenly and leave space between the grains. More is not better. A 12-ounce mug of salt is enough to treat a 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk squares. Consider organic, salt-free and pet-safe deicers.
Sweep and reuse. After a weather event, sweep and collect any sand, salt or undissolved deicer. Any excess can be reused for the next storm. Letting it run off into waterways is harmful to drinking water and wildlife.
Interested in doing more to raise awareness about salt pollution? Croydon Creek Nature Center will host a Salt Watch Community Science Initiative from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24. Registration is free using course #38557 at rockvillemd.gov/registration. Get involved with the city’s partners at the Izaak Walton League by taking part. Learn more at iwla.org/salt-watch.
Are you a business owner or property manager? Find salt best practices and tips for hiring a winter maintenance professional at montgomerycountymd.gov/salt.