MY GREEN BLOG

I was just thinking last week how I missed the snow covered midwest. What I forgot about was the bitter cold temps. Well something blew into the Pacific Northwest this weekend and it left us with a whopping 3 inches (which debilitates us) of snow and 7 days of subfreezing weather. Now my driveway and walkway are an accident waiting to happen.

So what is a green person to do when they don’t want to use salt?

One alternative to salt is a product called Ice Melt (clever) made by Earth Friendly Products. It is safe for pets and vegetation and works down to -13. That’s pretty good.

Another alternative that you can order is Bare Ground. They make both a liquid preventative deicer and a coated salt that is 30% to 40% less corrosive than Rock Salt. Both are much less harmful for the environment.

Unfortunately you cannot get these products locally and have to order them from via the internet. I suggest using this as your prompt to order some now. For those of us in the PacNW, one bottle of this stuff will last for years.

In the end, the best short term solution would be sand. It’s not a favorite but it will reduce the slips and increase traction. Just make sure visitors wipe their paws at the door.

Till Next Time,

Jeff