Traction Magic vs. Kitty Litter For Traction On Ice

Will kitty litter keep you from slipping on ice or give your car traction on slick driveways or roads? Are there alternatives to Kitty Litter that also provide traction and are safe for the environment?

 Does Kitty Litter Work for Traction on Ice?

Kitty litter can provide temporary traction on ice or packed snow because its particles add an abrasive layer between a shoe or tire and the slippery surface. However, kitty litter does not melt ice. Winter-driving guidance from several public agencies lists sand or kitty litter as an emergency traction material, particularly when a vehicle is stuck. For regular treatment of icy walkways, steps, or driveways, a material specifically designed for surface traction is more purpose-specific. If the goal is to melt or loosen ice rather than simply improve grip, an ice-melting treatment serves a different function.

The temporary/emergency distinction is consistent with NHTSA and Philadelphia winter guidance. (NHTSA)

Key Takeaways

• Kitty litter can provide temporary traction: Its granular texture can add grip on icy or snowy surfaces.
• Kitty litter does not melt ice: It functions as an abrasive material rather than a deicer.
• Vehicle and walkway use are different: Kitty litter is commonly referenced as an emergency traction material around stuck tires, while repeated walkway treatment may call for a dedicated traction material.
• Conditions affect performance: Ice texture, moisture, traffic and the type of litter can influence how well the material performs.
• Traction and ice melting solve different problems: A traction agent improves grip; an ice melt is intended to melt or loosen accumulated ice.

Does Kitty Litter Melt Ice?

No. Kitty litter is not an ice-melting material. Its winter use is based on adding physical texture to a slippery surface rather than changing the freezing point of water. This distinction matters because improving traction and removing ice are two separate winter-surface tasks.

 How Does Kitty Litter Create Traction?

Kitty litter can create temporary grip by placing granular material between footwear or tires and a smooth icy surface. Its effectiveness can vary according to the material used in the litter, the amount of moisture present, the condition of the ice and how much traffic passes over the treated area.

 Kitty Litter for Cars vs. Walkways

For vehicles, kitty litter is most commonly discussed as an emergency abrasive material placed around the drive wheels when a vehicle is stuck. For sidewalks and walkways, it may provide temporary surface grip, but coverage, tracking and cleanup become more important considerations.

NHTSA specifically recommends carrying abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter in a winter vehicle kit. (NHTSA)

Traction Agent vs. Ice Melt

A traction agent is intended to improve physical grip on a slippery surface. An ice melt is intended to change the condition of accumulated ice so that it melts or loosens. A surface may therefore need traction, ice removal, or both depending on conditions.

Understanding Snow Traction and Traction on Ice

Snow traction refers to the grip provided on snow-covered surfaces, while traction on ice concerns the grip on icy surfaces. The objective of both is to prevent slips and falls, or skidding of vehicles, that can lead to accidents or injuries. Traditional methods to improve traction on ice and snow involve using salt, sand, or kitty litter, each with its own set of environmental and practical implications.

The Environmental Concern: Sand, Salt and Kitty Litter

Though commonly used, sand, salt, and kitty litter present certain drawbacks. The question arises, “Is cat litter bad for the environment?” or “Is sand or kitty litter for ice detrimental?” The answers are multi-faceted. Salt, while effective at melting ice, can lead to increased salinity in water bodies when washed away, affecting aquatic life. Sand, while providing temporary traction, can end up clogging drains and affecting soil health. Kitty litter, particularly the non-biodegradable type, can contribute to environmental pollution.

Given these challenges, it’s necessary to explore an alternative solution for snow traction that is both effective and kinder to our environment.

Pros and Cons of Kitty Litter for Traction

The main reason people consider using kitty litter for traction is that it doesn’t contain rock salt. Because it isn’t a traditional ice melt, it doesn’t burn pet paws and people’s skin, and it doesn’t poison the environment.

While crystal cat litter can provide temporary traction on icy surfaces, its environmental impact and the risk to pets and wildlife who may ingest it make it a less than ideal solution. Traction Magic, on the other hand, offers a safe, biodegradable, and highly effective alternative for gaining traction on ice.

But is kitty litter effective on ice? Lifehacker says it is, with an article entitled, Kitty Litter Gives Your Car Traction on Snowy, Icy Roads It’s interesting that the article received few positive comments, but readers who actually had tried kitty litter as a traction product did reply with responses such as:

“Just don’t put the cat litter on your walkways. It’s clay and will form a paste once it’s saturated with water. You’ll have a hell of a time getting rid of it. You’ll track grey muck into your house all winter. And it’s somehow, slippery and sticky at the same time when it gets wet.” – Todd Bee

“Have to be care [sic] for use around the house though. Since kitty litter, or at least some brands, have clay in it, when it breaks down and half freezes, it can be super slick. I have busted or almost busted my backside when I have been walking along and hit that stuff.” – Fusilli Jerry

Yikes! Traction and words like slippery and slick are not what you want to hear.

Pros and Cons of Kitty Litter for Traction

Respected newsman Dick Uliano, reporting for WTOP Radio in Washington, DC, doesn’t like kitty litter either, at least not to provide traction on ice. Perhaps he has a slew of feline friends at home, so it’s used like it’s supposed to.

Responding to a recent shortage of traditional ice melt products in the DC area, Uliano wrote, “But there are useful materials to spread on ice to keep both feet on the ground while winter grinds on. ‘Not kitty litter,’ warns WTOP Garden Editor Mike McGrath. Although kitty litter has been used for years on icy walkways and driveways, McGrath says it’s ineffective. ‘It makes a huge mess,’ he says, sometimes lingering in the yard for months and he argues that it provides poor traction.”

“I was absolutely astounded at how poor choice it was. All it did was kind of absorb and kind of blow up,” McGrath says.

That, folks, is a professional’s opinion worth paying heed to.

Traction Magic: Better than Kitty Litter on Ice

If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve rejected ice melts that contain rock salt because the negative side effects are too significant to ignore. Now, perhaps you’ve seen that kitty litter isn’t an alternative worth trying.

How about trying Traction Magic, a product that was engineered to be both safe and effective? Is it possible to be both?

Addressing safety first, Traction Magic meets the stringent guidelines of the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In other words, the government agency dedicated to maintaining workplace safety and health gives Traction Magic the “thumbs up.”

Traction Magic is also ISO 9001 certified The ISO system is an internationally recognized Quality Management System, and the 9001 certification means that Traction Magic “meets customer expectations and delivers customer satisfaction.” In short, ISO 9001 certification means the product works.

Traction Magic is not an ice melt (a product that takes time to work). Here’s why this is important: Many people have spread salt on slippery steps or walkways, started walking on them too soon, and fell because the ice wasn’t melted.

The advantage of a non-melt product like Traction Magic is that it gives immediate traction. Tiny, spiked granules dig into the surface of the ice while absorbers soak up the surface water that scientists have shown is the cause of ice being slick. When you spread Traction Magic, you have an instantly safe surface to walk on. And it beats rock salt and traditional ice melt because it is safe for people, pets, and the planet, a fact demonstrated by meeting OSHA standards.

Note: If you want to get rid of ice, the makers of Traction Magic also make Safe Paw, the favorite of pet owners because it is more effective than rock salt ice melt and it won’t burn pet paws, eyes or nose like rock salt does. It melts ice at lower temperatures than common rock salt’s active ingredients: magnesium chloride and potassium chloride, and Safe Paw was given the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice Standard Award. If you’re looking for products with the federal seal of approval (OSHA and the EPA), then Traction Magic and Safe Paw are the safe, effective choices.

Kitty Litter vs. Traction Agent vs. Ice Melt

Important Limitations of Traction Materials

Traction materials can improve grip, but they do not make an icy surface risk-free. Their performance can change with surface temperature, moisture, traffic, ice thickness and application conditions. Kitty litter and other abrasive materials should not be described as ice melters unless they actually change or remove the ice. Likewise, product-specific performance statements should be supported by appropriate documentation or testing rather than general winter-safety guidance.

• Traction improvement is not the same as ice removal.
• Results can vary between smooth ice, packed snow and wet/slushy surfaces.
• No traction material should be described as eliminating the possibility of slipping or skidding.

Traction Magic vs Kitty Litter

The bottom line is that kitty litter isn’t for ice, and Traction Magic isn’t for cat boxes. Fair enough?  Traction Magic and kitty litter each have their own realm in which they do the job they were invented to do. If it’s traction on ice you want, leave the kitty litter inside and reach for Traction Magic for all your outdoor ice traction needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, managing snow traction or traction on ice is a necessary part of dealing with winter conditions. In finding a solution that is safe, effective, and environmentally friendly, Traction Magic stands out, providing the much-needed grip on icy surfaces without contributing to environmental problems. It’s a solution that offers peace of mind during the snowy season.

Related Winter Traction Guides

Best Winter Traction Products for Ice and Snow

How to Find the Best Ice Traction Agent

Best Ice Melt or Traction Agent for New Concrete

How to Prepare for a Blizzard

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