Just months shy of winter, many Midwesterners are already thinking about salt for deicing. But business owners are doing more than pulling bags off the shelf. They’re weighing variables and doing the math to place the best possible order ahead of winter storms.
Wondering how much ice melt you need or what ice melt to order? Read on for Gunther Salt’s guide to ice melt orders for winter 2026-2027.
What Variables Impact Salt for Deicing?
Before you place an order for your business, you should consider the following factors:
Storm Forecasts
To determine how much salt to order, consult long-range precipitation forecasts.
If only one storm is expected, you will need to order enough for one full application. However, if your area expects extended or back-to-back storms, you’ll need enough for multiple — especially as snow packs down and ice forms.
Gunther Salt offers a range of sizes, from #25 bags to 25-ton dump trucks. Contact our sales representatives for help determining what ice melt size is best.
Average Temperatures
To choose the right ice melt, consider expected temperatures. Research historical temperatures for averages and lows. We recommend consulting these free resources:
From there, you can use that data to select a product with the appropriate ice melt temp:
Ice Control Salt: Effective in temperatures as low as 15°F
Blue Blast: Effective in temperatures as low as 0°F
Heat Blast Premium Ice Melter: Effective in temperatures as low as 0°F
Magnesium Chloride Pellets. Effective in temperatures as low as -25°F
Calcium Chloride Pellets. Effective in temperatures as low as -30°F
Surface Material
When determining how much ice melt you need, the surface material matters. Different materials require different amounts and kinds of salt for deicing. For example:
Concrete. Cured concrete usually makes up sidewalks, parking lots, and some pavers. Many ice melt blends react chemically with calcium hydroxide — a byproduct inside cured concrete. Rock salt is the safest option for sidewalk salt, but remember: No product is 100% safe on concrete.
Asphalt. Asphalt usually makes up our roads and driveways. Salt doesn’t damage this material, so either rock salt or a premium ice melt blend will do.
Brick pavers. Excess salt on brick pavers can cause structural damage, surface spalling, and mortar decay. Use calcium chloride to melt ice quickly while minimizing prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals.
Wood. Excess salt on wood can cause cracking, splintering, and graying. Like brick pavers, opt for ice melt blends with calcium chloride.
Please note that ice melt products should never be left on any surface after a storm. Sweep up the excess as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary damage.
Unsure what to order? Call Gunther Salt. Our sales representatives are ready to answer your questions and help you find what ice melt you need.
How Much Ice Melt Do I Need?
Without doing a little math, you might wind up with the wrong amount of salt for deicing. The only way to know how much ice melt you need is to calculate it.
Measure the Surface Area
Measure your intended area’s length and width in feet. Multiply length by width to calculate the total square footage. Repeat as needed for additional areas of your property.
Example
Using the ruler tool on Google Maps, you determine your business’ parking lot is 250 feet long and 100 feet wide. You multiply these numbers and determine the parking lot is 25,000 square feet.
Determine Application Rate
Check your product’s packaging for the correct application amount, which varies by formulation, temperature, and weather conditions. If the rate per square foot is not readily available, calculate an estimate by dividing the pounds by the coverage area.
Example
A #50 bag of Gunther’s Blue Blast has a coverage area of 10,000 square feet. By dividing 50 by 10,000, you determine that the application rate is 0.005 pounds per square foot.
Calculate Total Pounds and Bags
Multiply your total square footage by the recommended or estimated application rate per square foot. Divide the total number of pounds needed by the weight of a standard bag (usually 50 pounds) to find out how many bags to buy.
Example
You multiply your total square footage (25,000) by your application rate (0.005). This shows that you need a total of 125 pounds, which equates to 2.5 #50 bags. You ultimately round up and buy 3 bags.
Where Can I Get Ice Melt?
Salt products all seem similar. We know the similarities can make an order feel overwhelming, so we recommend looking at what sets a potential partner apart.
Gunther Salt has spent over 100 years supplying Midwest businesses with salt for deicing. Business owners trust us for a few reasons:
Inventory. We offer five products with different active chemical ingredients, optimal ice melt temp, speed, and surface compatibility.
Lead Times. We offer some of the fastest lead times in our industry, with most deliveries being expedited within 1-5 business days.
Expert Guidance. Our sales team is ready to guide you through how products work, how much ice melt you need, and what ice melt suits your situation.
Consistent Communication. We strive to keep you in the loop about deliveries, price changes, and inventory availability.
Salt Distributors. Gunther Salt has minimum order quantities on ice melt products. However, we refer customers interested in smaller quantities to several reliable distributors.
Interested in getting ice melt from Gunther Salt? For bulk orders, fill out our Bulk Ice Control order form. For smaller orders, contact a sales representative at orders@gunthersalt.com.
