Yes, you can use regular table salt (sodium chloride) to melt ice, because it works the same way as “rock salt” or most common ice‑melt products: it lowers the freezing point of water so ice turns to slush or liquid at temperatures below 32°F (0°C).

How regular salt melts ice

  • Table salt is chemically sodium chloride (NaCl) , the same basic compound used in many ice‑melt products.
  • When salt dissolves in the thin layer of water on top of ice, it creates ions that interfere with how water molecules bond, which depresses the freezing point and causes the ice to melt.

How well it works

  • Table salt can be effective in a pinch , especially on sidewalks or small areas, but it’s usually less efficient than dedicated ice‑melt blends (like calcium or magnesium chloride) because those can work at much colder temperatures.
  • Regular salt tends to lose effectiveness once temperatures drop below roughly 15–20°F (‑9 to ‑7°C) , while some commercial ice melts still work below ‑10°F (‑23°C).

Practical tips if you use table salt

  • Use it sparingly —more salt doesn’t always mean faster melting, and over‑salting can damage concrete, plants, and pets’ paws.
  • For quick traction, mix salt with sand or kitty litter so you get both melting and grip, especially on walkways.

When you might want something else

  • For large driveways or very cold climates, rock salt or blended ice‑melt products are usually cheaper and more effective per pound.
  • If you’re worried about pets or plants , “pet‑safe” ice melts (often urea‑ or magnesium‑based) are gentler, though they may melt ice more slowly.

So in short: yes, regular salt can melt ice , but it’s best saved for small, emergency use rather than as your main winter‑ice solution.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.