The big batch of winter wrath this week has caused a run on basic supplies at the hardware stores. So what if the shelves are empty where the salt usually sit? Grab a bag, box, jar or bottle of one of these alternative ice and snow melting supplies instead.

• Calcium chloride
• Alfalfa meal – fertilizer
• Sand – absorbs sunlight and adds traction
• Water softener solt
• Bleach (highly corrosive, use sparingly)
• Sugar – like salt, it lowers the melting point
• Baking soda – it’s a kind of salt!
• Vinegar
• Concentrated isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol (kills grass)
• Epsom Salt/Magnesium Sulfate
• Ammonium sulfate – look for it in fertilizer (damages concrete)
• Calcium magnesium acetate – sold under brand names like “Quad melt” and “Premiere Ice Melter”
• Magnesium chloride – ask for it by name
• Potassium acetate – sold under “Ice Clear” (corrosive)
• Potassium chloride (damages concrete)
• Urea – found in fertilizer

Salt only melts ice, by the way, it does not melt snow.

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