There are a few options on the market today when it comes to ice melting products.  The most common ones are rock salt (also known as sodium chloride), potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and urea.  Each of these ice melters work in different ways to reduce the amount of ice on your walkways and driveways.  You should not apply any ice melt products to concrete areas that are less than one year old or your risk damaging the new concrete.  When snow and ice freeze and melt, the water works it way into the concrete and creates cracks that can permanently damage a beautiful driveway.
We recommend you use Melt-A-Way this winter for your general ice melt needs.  Melt-A-Way is fast acting and is gentle on concrete, shrubs and lawns.  It will not stain your carpets or your leather shoes.  Melt-A-Way melts ice at a very low temperature and has a reduced freeze-thaw cycle which will help to reduce the amount of damage to concrete.