Use Ice Melt & Deicer for Dust Control from a Mild Winter

mag flakes ice melt for dust control from Snow & Ice Salt & Chemicals Unlimited

It may not feel like it today, but so far, 2016 has been a fairly mild winter where we’re located in Maryland. That means you might think you don’t need deicer, or you don’t need as much as in typical winters. That might be true if all you use deicer and Magnesium Chloride flakes for is ice and snow removal. However, another powerful usage of ice melt is for dust control! If your snow removal customers are planning on creating new garden beds, putting in fences, or repaving a driveway this summer, you can also encourage them to use ice melt and deicer to for dust control from a mild winter. 

Why Ice Melt is Used for Dust Control

Since we are under our average snow fall for 2016, the ground around Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC and Boston will not have as much moisture in it this spring. That means there will be more dust. Any projects done this spring or summer that disturb the ground will create massive amounts of dust… not a good thing for your clients’ businesses or vehicles.

But, we have an answer for all that dust. Magnesium Chloride is what many highway departments use when they are working on roads. They spray it on to control the dust. You can use Magnesium Chloride Flakes for the same effect. Magnesium Chloride takes the moisture from the air and creates a bond that keeps dust from getting into the air. For that reason, it’s also commonly used in indoor horse riding arenas for dust control!

How to Use Magnesium Chloride Flakes for Dust Control

Here is what you need to do: Wet the ground and spread the Magnesium Chloride flakes, two pounds per square yard. Then when it is dry, reapply at one pound per square yard. While it is not toxic for plants, do not directly apply to plants. Keep it on the bare dirt.

So, if you have not purchased your deicer supply yet for winter or if you are running low, contact us at Snow & Ice Salt & Chemicals Unlimited today and we can help you get what you need for those mild winter and spring projects where you want to control the dust – and keep surfaces free of ice.