Four Reasons Why You Should NOT Use Kitty Litter To Add Traction
Kitty litter has long been used as one of the natural ways to melt snow and ice. For several years, kitty litter has been a popular choice from homeowners to small business owners. However, it is vital to know that kitty litter is not an ice melt. Homeowners primarily use it because it does not contain any sodium chloride or rock salt that is potentially harmful to the environment and pets.
However, over the years, people have realized the drawbacks of using kitty litter and have started using alternatives and better traction ice melt to help them ease their woes.
Get ready for winter with Traction Magic instant grip on snow and ice
Kitty Litter On Ice: How Does Cat Litter Work?
When spread on ice, Kitty Litter’s granular texture provides temporary traction. However, this material does not actually melt ice, and as it absorbs moisture, it can turn into a sludgy mess that may eventually add to the slipping hazard.
Top 4 Reasons To Not Use Kitty Litter To Add Traction
- Turns To Mud: Kitty litter comprises clay or other natural ingredients such as wheat, pine, corn, or synthetic crystallized silica. In contact with water, clay becomes lumpy and muddy, making it extremely slippery to walk. It might provide short-term traction but does not help in the long run. The friction from the spinning tire creates heat, making clay turn to mud.
- Messy: Kitty litter, when in contact with water, creates a huge mess. It sticks to the sole of your shoes and traces back inside the house, dirtying your carpets, patio, and floor. Hence, it does not prove to be a viable option.
- Temporary Traction: While it is readily available, kitty litter helps to build traction only for a limited period. When it mixes with water, it will either clump or turn to mud. You may try using it on your snow-covered roof to build traction; however, it is not advisable to use it on roads or sidewalks.
- Not 100% Environment-Friendly: Kitty litter is widely available in clay. However, it also comes in other ingredients such as sodium silicate, sodium bentonite, calcium bentonite, etc., that swell up 2x their size and are difficult to clear. In addition, it may lead to blocking of drains, sewers, and even de-moisturizing the soil.
Kitty Litter: Homemade Pet Safe Ice Melt Is It Good For Ice?
While Kitty Litter can provide temporary traction, it’s not necessarily the best solution. Unlike products specifically designed for ice traction, like Traction Magic, Kitty Litter can create a messy residue that’s not ideal for pets or the surrounding environment.
Get ready for winter with Traction Magic instant grip on snow and ice
What Can I Use Instead Of Cat Litter?
Traction Magic is a reliable alternative for Kitty Litter that you can use with confidence. Unlike Kitty Litter, which simply offers a temporary solution, Traction Magic creates a safe, slip-free layer on top of ice or packed snow. Consisting of natural materials, it doesn’t negatively impact the environment like some chemical deicers can.
Is Traction Magic A Better Alternative?
Traction Magic comprises natural volcanic rock and seven other minerals that are 100% environment-friendly and can be used on your driveway or snow-covered roof. It is not messy, does not stick to the shoes, does not block sewers or gutters, and seamlessly mixes with soil. It acts as a conditioner for plants as well.
Traction Magic helps to build excellent traction on any slippery surface because they instantly absorb water and allow the grippers to lock into the ice, creating a non-skid surface.
Black Ice and Traction: What’s black ice and Why Kitty Litter Makes It Worse
When temperatures plummet, icy conditions can become unpredictable and downright dangerous. The most notorious culprit? Black ice—a nearly invisible layer of frozen moisture that catches even the most prepared homeowners and drivers off guard.
So, what is black ice on roads and why is it so treacherous? Black ice is a thin layer of transparent ice that forms on pavement, especially during early mornings, after sundown, or in shaded areas where moisture quickly freezes. Unlike snow or slush, you can’t see it. It blends with the road, sidewalk, or driveway, creating a slick surface that looks like wet asphalt. And that’s exactly why it’s so dangerous.
Many people mistakenly rely on kitty litter to deal with this hazard, assuming it will provide some grip. But here’s the reality: once kitty litter comes in contact with water or ice, it absorbs moisture, clumps together, and eventually turns to a thick sludge that creates a different slipping hazard. It also doesn’t bind to the ice or embed itself like a true traction agent should.
If you’re wondering how to drive on black ice, the best advice is to stay calm—ease off the accelerator, avoid sharp steering, and never slam on the brakes. But when you’re stuck on a sheet of ice in your driveway or parking lot, prevention is your best friend. That’s where Traction Magic comes in. Designed for situations exactly like these, it offers immediate traction on black ice, thanks to its unique mineral blend. Its dual-action granules—called “suckers” and “grippers”—absorb the moisture that causes slickness and dig into the ice to create a non-slip surface. Whether you’re walking your dog, helping someone with mobility issues, or trying to get your car out of a frozen rut, Traction Magic acts fast and leaves no mess behind.
Conclusion
While kitty litter may seem like a convenient solution for icy surfaces, it simply wasn’t made for the realities of black ice. It’s messy, ineffective on invisible ice layers, and poses cleanup issues that can damage your floors, drains, and yard. On the other hand, ice Traction Magic offers a chloride-free, pet-safe, and environmentally friendly solution that delivers real traction when and where it counts. It not only protects your property—it protects the people on it. This winter, skip the old tricks and rely on a solution that’s scientifically designed to keep you on your feet. Choose smart. Choose safe. Choose Traction Magic.
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