Safe Paw - Blogs

Winter’s chill is no joke. If you're living in a place that’s colder than a snowman’s nose, you've probably heard the words "Mg Chloride" tossed around more often than snowballs in a neighborhood fight. For those scratching their heads, Mg Chloride stands for Magnesium Chloride. And boy, does it have a story. Mg Chloride: What’s the Buzz? Alright, so Mg Chloride isn’t the name of the latest pop star, but in the world of icy roads, it’s got its own fan base. How come? Well, it’s often sprayed or spread onto roads to prevent ice buildup. You know those moments when you're driving, and the road looks like an ice skating rink from last night’s snowstorm? Mg Chloride is the stuff they use to combat that. The Chemistry Behind It Quick science detour (I promise, no pop quizzes after!): Mg Chloride is a chemical compound made from magnesium and chlorine. It's like salt’s distant cousin, but instead of flavoring our fries, it plays a role in the icy drama unfolding on ...

Have you ever noticed the plants around your sidewalks or driveway looking burned or fading out during the icy winter? If this is the case, it’s time to rethink your deicer and replace it with something more plant-friendly. Keep in mind that deicers can harm both concrete and plants. To avoid these damages, you need to opt for a salt-free and safe ice melt. How Chlorides Harm Your Plants Rock salt (sodium chloride) is the most common ice melting agent, although you may also encounter ice melt products composed of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or potassium chloride.  Plantlife can be vulnerable to chlorides. For maximum health, plants only require a trace quantity of sodium. When high amounts of salt seep into the earth, it prevents plants from absorbing nutrients like potassium and calcium, resulting in sickly plants.  Rock salt and other ice melt chemicals are toxic to plants even in small doses. The salt draws moisture from plants. It is the cause of shriveled...