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These questions and answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Q: What do I need to know about snow melt products and salt?

A: You want to look for a salt that is more environmentally friendly. Regular rock salt is pretty harsh on everything, including landscaping surfaces like concrete. Even getting it on your feet and walking indoors can damage interior hardwood floors.

If you have perennials beside your sidewalk and shovel snow mixed with salt into the bed, it will kill them, so look for that type of salt that helps the plants survive any buildup of salts.

If you just use a tiny little bi

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