Selecting the Right Ice Melt Products

For distributors, figuring out what type of ice melt a customer needs is as important as knowing how much to order. While all ice melts serve the same purpose — to remove snow or ice from a surface thus preventing slip-and-fall injuries — different compounds address a variety of temperatures, facilities, and environmental concerns. 

According to Falvey, customers in the Midwest who deal with heavy snowfall on a yearly basis tend to be more concerned about ice melt runoff contaminating waterways. As a result, he recommends a magnesium chloride-based ice melt for customers, such as the YMCA, who prioritize eco-friendly products. 

“One of the YMCA’s biggest pillars is sustainability,” he says. “The magnesium chloride brand we offer is one of the safest for pets and plants, and that’s important to them.” 

On the other hand, customers who experience occasional snowfall, or those that need to cover large areas such as parking lots, are more likely to purchase on price. In these cases, rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, is the cheapest option with a melting point of around zero degrees Fahrenheit. For lower temperatures, a range of ice melt blends are available with a melting point of anywhere from minus 15 to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit. 

While rock salt is often an attractive option for those on a budget, it can create a mess and leave a white residue on surfaces when tracked into the building. For this reason, distributors and their customers should consider the type of facility and the importance of aesthetics, as well as the amount of foot traffic and where the product is being used before deciding. 

Additionally, an increasing number of customers are opting for liquid deicers. Although pricier than other ice melt options, the product can be applied more efficiently and effectively, thereby reducing costs and minimizing its environmental impact. But distributors urge customers to use it sparingly. 

“If you use liquid ice melt around your entire city block — if that’s your campus — you’re going to outspend your budget,” says Falvey. “We tell people it’s a great pre-treatment for sidewalks and walkable areas.” 

Trusted Advisors 

While distributors are in the business of selling products, they are also in the business of servicing their customers — even if that means forgoing a sale. 

“We try to act as advisors to our customers,” says Falvey, who trains custodial teams on how to apply ice melt correctly. “As a salesperson, I’d love for the customer to just take a bag and throw it anywhere. But we also want to do right by them, so we want to make sure they get the proper spreader.” 

In addition to helping customers choose the right equipment, Imperial Dade stocks a turquoise ice melt product that allows them to see the product where it lands. This aids the application process and reduces waste, ensuring a more accurate purchase order. 

Like Falvey, Arthofer prioritizes using the correct tools — not only to apply ice melt but to shovel snow. 

“If you’re a supplier, you’re a service person,” he says. “Be the supplier that’s going to help promote and educate your customers on how to do things better and more efficiently.” 

Kassandra Kania is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is a frequent contributor to Sanitary Maintenance.