De-icing salt: efficient, safe, and essential for winter slipperiness.

When temperatures drop and the roads become dangerously slippery, it is essential to act quickly and effectively. Whether it's a driveway, sidewalk, parking lot, or public road – with the right ​ De-icing salt you can prevent dangerous situations and accidents. .

In this blog, we explain how de-icing salt works, the types available, how to use it responsibly, and how to store the de-icing salt correctly.

Why use de-icing salt?

Slipperiness on wet or snow-covered surfaces occurs when the water on the ground freezes. De-icing salt lowers the freezing point of water, causing the ice to melt or form less quickly. This creates safer conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.

Both municipalities, businesses, and individuals use de-icing salt preventively or reactively to:

• Prevent accidents caused by slipping or sliding.
• Ensure the accessibility of homes, shops, and parking lots.
• Intervene in a timely manner during frost or snowfall.

Types of de-icing salt and their effectiveness in cold temperatures

Not every type of road salt works equally well, especially in low temperatures. An overview of the most commonly used types:

🧂 Rock salt (wegensalz)

• Known and affordable
• Suitable for normal winter conditions (up to approx. -9 °C)
• Sometimes contains small impurities
   ✅ Ideal for driveways, car parks and wide surfaces

❄️ Fine vacuum salt

• Purified and finer-textured
• Works faster and at lower temperatures (up to approx. -12 °C)
• Leaves less residue 
  ✅ Perfect for pavements, terraces and places with high foot traffic

🌱 Ecological road salt (e.g. calcium or magnesium chloride)

• More environmentally friendly alternative
• Effective at very low temperatures (down to -20 °C)
• More expensive, but safer for plants, animals and subsoil 
  ✅ Recommended in sensitive areas such as gardens or nature reserves

Tips for correct and environmentally friendly spreading

Although road salt is effective, overuse is not good for nature, groundwater or infrastructure. Therefore, we would like to give some tips:

1. Sprinkle preventively, before freezing temperatures or snowfall - that way you avoid ice formation.
2. Do not use too much - 10 to 20 grams per m² is sufficient on average.
3. Sprinkle in a targeted manner, especially on walking and traffic lanes.
4. Avoid excessive spreading near plants, grass or ponds.
5. Use a hand spreader or spreader truck for even distribution.

Correct dosing not only saves the environment, but also your wallet.

Storage and shelf life of road salt

Road salt is a natural product with a long shelf life, provided you store it properly. This way, you extend its lifespan and preserve its effectiveness:

• Store dry and covered, preferably in a salt box or barrel with lid
• Avoid contact with moisture to avoid clumping
• Keep bags closed until use
• Avoid storage directly on the ground or in the sun

Do you need a large quantity of road salt for professional use? Then opt for big bags or pallet packs - more efficient and economical with bulk use.

Conclusion: safety starts with preparation

With quality road salt, you are prepared for any winter weather. By choosing the right type, dosing correctly and storing properly, you will enjoy maximum safety and minimum impact on your surroundings.

At Zoutplus, you will find a wide range of road salt - from fine grain to ecological alternatives, available in various packaging. We provide fast delivery to your home or location.

Sure of an ice-free winter? Order your road salt from Zoutplus now and be prepared before the frost hits.