Rock salt (sodium chloride) melts ice cheaply but burns buds and twigs and builds up in soil; non-sodium melts like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate cost more but injure plants less; sand gives traction without melting. UMass Extension recommends mixing salt with sand, keeping it on pavement and flushing soil in spring.
Updated November 11, 2026
Every bag of salt that keeps the steps safe in February shows up somewhere in April. Here's how to keep both.
| Material | Melts? | Plants | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock salt | Yes | Hardest on them | Driveways, open walks |
| Calcium / magnesium chloride | Yes, colder | Gentler | Steps, walks by beds |
| Calcium magnesium acetate | Yes | Gentlest | Near valued plantings |
| Sand / grit | No | Fine | Traction, steep drives |
Ask your crew for melt on the pavement only, sand on steep spots and a gentler product by beds. Our lawn care partner site covers spring cleanup and salt-damaged turf.
It can damage turf along walks and drives. Keep it on the pavement and flush with water in spring.
Non-sodium products are gentler; read the label and wipe paws.
Ask your paver maker; sand and gentler melts are the cautious choice on new installs.
Tell us the address and what needs clearing. One local crew in Bristol calls to confirm and puts the terms in writing before the first storm.
Plain, sourced answers about snow in Bristol and the East Bay, and one introduction to a local crew when you want the driveway, walks and ice handled.
East Bay Snow Removal is an independent referral service, not a snow removal contractor. We don't plow, shovel, schedule or price work; the local crew we connect you with handles all of that directly with you and is responsible for its own insurance. We are not lawyers; nothing here is legal advice.
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