No More Daily Snow Shovelling, This Eco Ice Melt Clears My Garden Path in an Instant – It's Even Safe for Pets

It's also less corrosive than other alternatives and won't damage your yard's surfaces

Exterior shot of a large home in the winter, with snow on peaked porch, front yard, path and falling. The front door is wooden as are the porch guard rails
(Image credit: Getty Images / Don Mason)

Blizzards are raging on in northeast US states, leaving backyards buried beneath multiple feet of snow. Keeping paths clear is key to making your property safe and accessible during this time, and I'm always looking for ways to make this a quick and less strenuous job.

That's where ice melt comes in, a salt-based compound that can be spread on paths to stop ice forming. I have to admit the idea of it does raise some environmental concerns, but I've just spotted this eco-friendly Peach Country Ice Melt on Amazon. It's formulated with less corrosive, gentle ingredients to minimize its impact on your yard's biodiversity and prevent damage to path surfaces. A big bonus for me: its pet-safe, so I don't have to worry about the dog walking over it.

How Does Ice Melt Work?

shoveling snow

Ice melt should be applied to clear ground

(Image credit: ReMa / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)

Ice melt is a widely available de-icing granular product (like this ice melt from Walmart).

Packed with de-icing chemical compounds, the granules (which are usually salt-based) lower the freezing point of water by forming a protective brine layer, preventing ice from forming.

It essentially stops you having to constantly shovel snow (which can be time-consuming and fatiguing), de-icing paths for you.

Instead, use a snow shovel (like this one from Amazon) to clear existing snow, spread the ice melt, and watch as the path stays clear in freezing and snowy conditions. You'll often then need to reapply the ice melt to maintain effectiveness as icy conditions continue.

You can also lay down ice melt ahead of snow forecasts as a preventative measure.

When it comes to eco-friendly gardening, there are valid concerns around ice melts releasing harmful chemicals that impact soil health and beneficial insects.

But, the Peach Country Ice Melt has been specifically formulated to minimize its impact on the environment, with a proprietary blend of less harmful, less corrosive ingredients that are even safe for pets.

With 4.1 stars on Amazon, let's take a look at what the reviews say about it.

Why Shoppers Love this Ice Melt

snowy front garden

Use ice melt to keep front paths clear for easy access to your house

(Image credit: Steve Smith / Tetra images / Getty Images)

The Peach Country Ice Melt can be used as either a pre-treatment, offering enhanced protection for when ice and snow arrive, or as a treatment to prevent refreezing.

In both cases, shoppers are amazed at how quickly the granules get to work, with the product description noting the ice melt is effective down to temperatures of -25°F:

'It works fast, even on really cold days, and keeps my steps and driveway clear without leaving any mess,' one five-star reviewer shares.

While it can feel concerning to spread synthetic products in your yard, one of the biggest selling points of the Peach Country Ice Melt is the fact its a special blend of magnesium chloride, agricultural-based corrosion inhibitors, sodium chloride, and CMA – not entirely chemical-free, but a de-icing mixture that is far better for the environment than rock salt.

'I also appreciate that it’s pet-safe and doesn’t damage my concrete,' another shopper writes.

This product is safe to use on a wide range of surfaces in your yard, including metal, stone, concrete, wood decking, and brick, making it a more gentle alternative to other destructive de-icing agents on the market.

The one downside to note is that you get just 8lbs for $41.99, which some customers express feels expensive. However, others point out you only need a small amount to cover a substantial area.

'I chose the pink color. It is easy to see where you've applied it,' one reviewer writes.

Also available in green, blue, and orange, the Peach Country Ice Melt is intentionally bright for visibility, which I appreciate helps prevent overuse so you get more out of one tub, not to mention it aids even distribution when spreading it.

For me, it can't get any better than the fact it has an eco-friendly approach and makes snow removal low-effort, simply requiring a quick reapplication as freezing temperatures continue – far less strenuous than manually removing snow daily.


If you're looking for a quick DIY to keep your paths clear during snow, you could try making this non-toxic ice melt alternative.

Shop Snow Removal Tools

Tenielle Jordison
Gardens Content Editor

Tenielle is a Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens. She holds a qualification in MA Magazine Journalism and has over six years of journalistic experience. Before coming to Homes & Gardens, Tenielle was in the editorial department at the Royal Horticultural Society and worked on The Garden magazine. As our in-house houseplant expert, Tenielle writes on a range of solutions to houseplant problems, as well as other 'how to' guides, inspiring garden projects, and the latest gardening news. When she isn't writing, Tenielle can be found propagating her ever-growing collection of indoor plants, helping others overcome common houseplant pests and diseases, volunteering at a local gardening club, and attending gardening workshops, like a composting masterclass.