Published November 29, 2025

Rock Salt vs Calcium Chloride

Written by Anthony Pezzello

Rock salt:

Effectiveness: Works down to about 15∘.

Cost: Cheaper.

Impact: Can be harmful to plants and concrete over time.

Best for: General snow and ice removal in moderate temperatures where cost is a primary concern.

Calcium chloride:

Effectiveness: Works at much lower temperatures, down to approx. (−25∘).

Cost: More expensive, but less is needed for the same effect.

Impact: Less harmful to plants than rock salt, but can be corrosive to metal.

Best for: Extremely cold temperatures, or situations where quick melting action is needed.

How to choose:

For extreme cold: Use calcium chloride to ensure ice melts effectively.

To save money: Use rock salt for milder conditions.

To protect landscaping: Calcium chloride is the better choice for protecting nearby plants.

To get a combination: Many products mix rock salt with calcium chloride to get the cost-effectiveness of rock salt with the low-temperature performance of calcium chloride.

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