We Examined the Finest Ice Melts, Right here Are Our Favorites

When the climate turns chilly, most individuals pull out heavy coats, rugged boots, and, after all, ice melts. Ice-melting merchandise are an vital line of protection towards slick, harmful situations on driveways, sidewalks, and different surfaces. With out utilizing them, drip strains and low spots can flip into severe security hazards.

We researched and examined 10 completely different ice soften merchandise to see which delivered one of the best outcomes. Almost each model improved strolling situations and had a constructive impression on general traction and security. Some had been extra able to dealing with the heavy-duty calls for of high-traffic residential and industrial areas. Others had been safer for pets and the setting, making them nice for house use. Because it’s widespread follow to use ice melts to areas the place pets and youngsters could stroll or play, we additionally spoke with the medical director of a veterinary emergency group to get their insights. 

Based mostly on our skilled’s suggestions and our hands-on take a look at outcomes, we selected the Pure Rapport The Solely Pet-Secure Ice Soften You Want as our prime decide. If selecting a pet- and kid-safe choice isn’t a precedence, our suggestions additionally embody value-focused, liquid, and roof-specific merchandise that may go a great distance towards cleansing snow and ice out of your property this winter. Learn on to be taught which options to search for and why the next merchandise are among the many greatest ice melts of their respective classes.

1. BEST OVERALL: Pure Rapport The Solely Pet-Secure Ice Soften You Want
   ↓ Leap to Overview
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Snow Joe Premium Enviro Mix Ice Melter With CMA
   ↓ Leap to Overview
3. BEST FOR PETS AND KIDS: PlaySafe Ice Blocker
   ↓ Leap to Overview
4. BEST FOR CONCRETE: Inexperienced Gobbler Calcium Chloride Snow & Ice Soften
   ↓ Leap to Overview
5. BEST WITH COLOR: Snow Joe Pet-Safer Mix Premium Ice Soften
   ↓ Leap to Overview
6. BEST LIQUID: Department Creek Entry Quick-Performing Liquid Ice Soften
   ↓ Leap to Overview
7. BEST SALT-FREE: Secure Paw Pet-Secure Salt-Free Ice Soften
   ↓ Leap to Overview
8. BEST ALL-NATURAL FORMULA: Redmond Ice Slicer Nature’s Mix Ice Soften
   ↓ Leap to Overview
9. BEST FOR ROOFS: Roof Soften RM-65S Ice Soften Tablets
   ↓ Leap to Overview

Our Prime Picks

Whereas they is probably not fairly as various as snowflakes, ice melts do are available quite a lot of varieties, every with its personal distinct options. We examined every product within the following checklist ourselves that will help you select one of the best ice melts on your wants.

Product Specs 

• Kind: Granules
• Ingredient(s): Calcium magnesium acetate; dolomite; proprietary natural compound (ProtectRX); sodium, magnesium, and potassium chloride
• Suitable floor sorts: Porches, walkways, driveways 

This Pure Rapport ice soften is among the most secure ice melts for pets, vegetation, and the setting. It’s much less corrosive on steel, wooden, and concrete than standard rock salt, and additionally it is safer on carpet and different flooring supplies, ought to your furry buddies or children monitor it into the home. 

Many environmentally pleasant merchandise soften slowly as a result of they use gentle formulation. However we had been pleasantly stunned by how fast-acting and long-lasting this ice soften was. Its time-released formulation not solely began working instantly but additionally saved melting, stopping our sidewalks and driveway from refreezing. The crystals are inexperienced, so it was straightforward to see the place we’d utilized them, serving to to forestall waste. Additionally, our canine repeatedly walked over the colourful ice soften with no hostile reactions.  

In the end, this ice soften took the highest award as a result of it provides a mixture of efficiency and environmental friendliness. It has natural compounds to assist it break down shortly, and because of the inclusion of soil-supporting compounds, it might even enrich the soil to a small diploma. We unfold some over a patch of grass throughout testing, so we’re to see what occurs over time. 

Learn our full evaluation: Pure Rapport The Solely Pet-Secure Ice Soften You Want

What our tester says: “We actually liked this ice soften’s shaker container for simple spreading. The bigger granules additionally minimized our have to reapply.”—Zach Lazzari, Product Critiques tester and author 

Get the Pure Rapport ice soften at Amazon, Chewy, or Pure Rapport.

Product Specs 

• Kind: Granules
• Ingredient(s): Sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)
• Suitable floor sorts: Concrete, asphalt, gravel, grass

Snow Joe is a frontrunner in snow removing merchandise, and it has formulated a implausible ice soften product with the Premium Enviro Mix Ice Melter. It’s made for excessive chilly and has a chemical composition designed with the setting, pets, and folks in thoughts. 

This mix has an anti-corrosion agent that helps it break down simply whereas minimizing harm to concrete, asphalt, and yards. It additionally has a inexperienced dye that makes monitoring its efficiency and presence on the bottom straightforward. When the inexperienced coloring fades, it’s time so as to add extra. This formulation did a wonderful job melting ice and sustaining clear walkways. We additionally had a property administration firm take a look at it, and so they had been impressed. 

Although some could favor ice soften that is available in a bucket or ice soften shaker, we discovered the sturdy bag-style packaging of this Snow Joe eco-friendly ice soften straightforward to succeed in into and transfer round. Remember, nonetheless, that if the open bag will get moist, the contents will bind collectively and consolidate into an enormous rock. We saved ours within the storage, and it was wonderful. 

Get the Snow Joe enviro mix ice soften (varied sizes) at Amazon, Tractor Provide Co., The Residence Depot, Walmart, Finest Purchase, or Snow Joe.

Product Specs 

• Kind: Liquid
• Ingredient(s): Calcium magnesium acetate resolution, potassium acetate, water 
• Suitable floor sorts: Concrete, tile, stone, wooden, asphalt

Once we chosen Department Creek’s formulation (#6 on our checklist) as our favourite liquid formulation, it was an in depth name between that choice and this one. Since that is additionally an environmentally pleasant ice soften, it simply made sense to acknowledge this product as an ice soften secure for pets and youngsters. Like our different favourite liquid ice soften, this one is greatest utilized on a clear floor with a sprayer. 

The 1-gallon bottle can cowl 2,000 sq. ft and is efficient on decks, concrete, tile, stone, and asphalt. The one draw back is that it must be utilized forward of any icing to work most successfully. With acceptable planning, it could actually assist hold surfaces clear and freed from ice.

Throughout testing, we utilized the liquid to concrete beneath a drip line, and it helped mitigate ice formation for a couple of days. As long as you reapply it to very problematic spots each couple of days, the gentle chemical formulation will work properly. We predict it’s a fantastic alternative for locations with average storms and periodic freezing points. For fixed freeze-melt cycles, one thing just a little extra highly effective may be higher.

Get the PlaySafe ice soften at Amazon, Tractor Provide Co., Lowe’s, The Residence Depot, or Chewy.

Product Specs 

• Kind: Pellets 
• Ingredient(s): 93 % calcium chloride 
• Suitable floor sorts: Driveways, sidewalks, pathways, patios, parking heaps, porches, roofs 

These in search of a secure ice soften for concrete could need to give this Inexperienced Gobbler ice melting salt a go. Since calcium chloride is much less corrosive to concrete than related chemical substances, it’s best for melting ice with out creating potholes in driveways, pathways, and porches. It is available in easy-to-spread pellets that create exothermic warmth to instantly begin melting snow and ice, enabling them to work as much as 4 occasions quicker than conventional rock salt. 

Whereas we will’t confirm that the formulation labored precisely 4 occasions quicker, it did soften ice faster than the opposite merchandise we examined. We additionally favored that it doesn’t corrode and beat up concrete the way in which different ice-melting brokers can. One in all our testers can be pouring a brand new slab quickly and is admittedly centered on discovering merchandise that may assist protect its integrity. As an ice soften good for concrete, this can be a product he retains readily available. 

What our tester says: “The very nice factor about this product is that it really works in extraordinarily low temperatures. In the course of the storm during which we did our testing, temperatures dropped to -6 levels Fahrenheit, however temperatures at -20 or -30 levels Fahrenheit aren’t unusual right here. Figuring out this product will nonetheless carry out at these excessive lows is nice.”—Zach Lazzari, Product Critiques tester and author 

Get the Inexperienced Gobbler calcium chloride ice soften at Walmart.

Product Specs 

• Kind: Crystals 
• Ingredient(s): Sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, CMA 
• Suitable floor sorts: Walkways, driveways, parking heaps, and steps 

Colour-coated crystals are this ice soften’s secret weapon for visibility. The coloration made it straightforward to see the place we’d already unfold the product, a visible cue that helped us scale back wasteful reapplication. Because the crystals dissolved with the ice, they misplaced their coloration, signaling it was time so as to add one other spherical.

Whereas a number of different choices on our checklist additionally use dyes for this similar function, this one stood out higher. That stated, it did additionally go away some momentary staining. Some customers talked about utilizing strain washers or an alcohol-based cleansing agent to utterly take away dyes after winter, although we didn’t want to try this in our exams. 

This product labored very properly for its meant function. It combines sodium chloride, the normal salt compound utilized in ice melts, with milder magnesium chloride and the natural compound CMA, which is about as corrosive as faucet water. This mix delivers nice efficiency and scores excessive marks by way of pet security and environmental friendliness.

Get the Snow Joe pet-safer ice soften (varied sizes) at Amazon, Tractor Provide Co., Walmart, or Snow Joe.

Product Specs 

• Kind: Liquid 
• Ingredient(s): Inhibited potassium formate, proprietary adjuvant formulation
• Suitable floor sorts: Walkways, driveways, parking heaps, and steps 

If a snowstorm is approaching, chances are you’ll need to attain for this liquid ice soften. Apply it to pathways and driveways with a backyard sprayer previous to the climate occasion, and ice and snow gained’t construct up. Since this de-icer works in temperatures right down to -10 levels Fahrenheit, you should use it the night time earlier than the storm to ship ice-free walkways within the morning. 

This was our first time utilizing a liquid ice soften, and we had been initially a bit skeptical. As soon as we crammed our sprayer, nonetheless, we shortly began to reevaluate our preliminary opinions. The liquid got here out in a wonderful mist, permitting us to use the formulation shortly and exactly. The 1-gallon bottle additionally lasted quite a bit longer than we anticipated, enabling us to cowl a pretty big space.

By way of efficiency, it is a completely different kind of product than many different ice melts. It’s not meant to make a huge impact when sprayed over current snow and ice. As an alternative, you clear all precipitation first and apply it to a clear floor. This permits the product to forestall ice from forming in future moist climate. 

The primary motive this feature works in a different way is that it’s chloride-free. Chlorides are in most ice melters, and they’re fairly taxing on the setting and corrosive to a point. As a chloride-free different, we will use this product on our new concrete driveway with out damaging its floor. It additionally gained’t chip away at an electrical snow shovel or blower the way in which arduous salt formulation are inclined to. soften merchandise, chlorides are minerals which can be fairly taxing on the setting. Each chloride-based product is corrosive to a point; this chloride-free different will not be. Used on a brand new concrete driveway, for instance, this liquid ice soften can forestall harm to its floor.

Get the Department Creek ice soften (varied sizes) at Amazon, Ace {Hardware} (2.5 gallons), or Walmart (2.5 gallons).

Product Specs 

• Kind: Granules
• Ingredient(s): Modified carbonyl diamide crystals, particular glycols, nonionic surfactants, accelerants
• Suitable floor sorts: Finest on arduous surfaces similar to driveways, walkways, steps

Since nearly all ice soften formulations comprise salt or chlorides, this salt-free choice from Secure Paw is kind of distinctive. It’s a fantastic alternative in case your family is delicate to salts or if utilizing something corrosive will not be viable (similar to round a basic automotive, close to costly tools, or on a newly paved floor). It’s additionally nonconductive, making it secure round electrical parts.

This product is available in a granular kind and doesn’t have sharp edges like rock salt. Due to its nonabrasive texture, our canine had zero points strolling by means of it. They even performed proper the place we examined this product and confirmed no hostile results. That’s additionally seemingly partly because of the mix’s chemical composition, which isn’t as aggressive as different formulation. Whereas which means it doesn’t soften ice as shortly as a number of the heavier hitters we examined, it’s nonetheless efficient. 

Along with melting a bit extra slowly, it additionally doesn’t work at fairly as low temperatures. In our exams, it melted ice in as little as 15 levels Fahrenheit however struggled if it was colder. Although the label claims it really works at -2 levels Fahrenheit, the producer solely ensures it right down to 10 levels Fahrenheit. We predict 10 levels is correct—any decrease than that, and we’d say all bets are off. As long as when and the place to make use of it, you possibly can depend on this salt-free formulation round your delicate members of the family and in areas the place you need to make sure the integrity of your tools and surfaces. 

What our tester says: “We actually favored testing this product as a result of it unfold fairly simply. We used an outdated cup to scoop and unfold it with out worrying about getting in on our pores and skin. Actually, it unfold properly and didn’t trigger a response even once we used our fingers as an alternative of the cup.”—Zach Lazzari, Product Critiques tester and author 

Get the Secure Paw ice soften (varied sizes) at Amazon, The Residence Depot, Chewy, or Petco.

Product Specs 

• Kind: Granules 
• Ingredient(s): Sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, hint minerals
• Suitable floor sorts: Sidewalks, driveways, and parking heaps

Don’t let this ice soften’s small bag idiot you: This Redmond’s Nature’s Mix is full of concentrated dye-free, urea-free, and polymer-free unhazardous ice soften chemical substances that successfully bust ice and slush over an as much as 400-square-foot space. The all-natural mix is licensed by the Natural Supplies Overview Institute (OMRI), making it probably the greatest snow melts to be used round youngsters, pets, vegetation, and waterways. It’s secure and straightforward to use through hand, shovel, or cup. 

This decide’s distinctive formulation can soften snow shortly in temperatures approaching 0 levels Fahrenheit. It really works a bit extra slowly at extra excessive temperatures, however we had been impressed by its general melting capabilities in our exams. The truth that the gentle formulation can be straightforward to deal with and secure round snow blowers, automobiles, and different delicate gadgets makes it best for residential use.

The Redmond Ice Slicer works properly in climates with occasional storms and freezes. Should you want one thing for a extra excessive setting, you’re higher off selecting one other product, as overapplication of this melter can result in crimson spots and smears on driveways and walkways. Whereas we didn’t discover any recognizing or staining throughout testing, Redmond’s extra aggressive commercial- and industrial-grade ice melts may be higher in colder and snowier climates. 

Get the Redmond ice soften at Amazon or Ice Slicer.

Product Specs 

• Kind: Tablets
• Ingredient(s): Calcium chloride
• Suitable floor sorts: Primarily meant to work on roofs

When folks take into consideration eradicating snow from roofs, they usually think about doing so manually. That’s as a result of few ice soften merchandise are made to handle ice buildup on roofs—which is what makes this ice soften such a singular product. The tablets are composed of calcium chloride and designed to be thrown onto roofs to forestall snow and ice buildup from wreaking havoc on gutters and including weight to weak areas. For these residing in areas with heavy snowfall the place ice dams usually kind, they’re a worthy funding.

Throughout testing, we aimed for drawback spots and tossed the tablets up. Whereas snow started to slough off the roof comparatively shortly, we struggled to confirm the precise fee at which the tablets melted the ice since we couldn’t see it occurring from the bottom. Nonetheless, for his or her meant function, they labored properly.

The Roof Soften tablets aren’t granular or spreadable, so that they aren’t suitable with bigger floor areas like driveways. You may most likely use them on the bottom the place drainage is constricted and problematic, however different choices can be extra economical for that function. Should you take care of harmful ice dams in your roof, nonetheless, these tablets are price having round to shortly and simply resolve the difficulty. 

Get the Roof Soften ice soften at Walmart.

How We Examined the Finest Ice Melts 

The easiest way to find out how successfully varied ice melts carry out is to totally take a look at every product. As residents of Montana, we started our testing within the aftermath of a winter snowstorm that turned bitter chilly. We utilized the merchandise to gravel, pavement, and grass in temperatures as little as -6 levels Fahrenheit. 

Because the snow went by means of a number of soften/freeze cycles over the approaching days, it shaped icy spots beneath our rooflines and in a number of low spots. We examined the ice melts in freezing temperatures on water drips and in a single day freezes that created strolling hazards every morning. We analyzed how lengthy it took to use every product, how shortly they melted ice and snow, their diploma of pet friendliness when used round our canine, and quite a few different hands-on components. Lastly, we in contrast pricing, packaging, and ease of software. 

What to Contemplate When Selecting an Ice Soften 

Ice soften merchandise are designed to be used both earlier than or after snow or ice has fallen. Their software prevents ice from forming or melts it right into a slush that’s simpler to clear with a typical snow shovel. Every kind of ice soften will carry out in a different way relying on its kind and chemical composition. Different variables, similar to temperature, floor kind, melting time, and environmental impression are important to think about earlier than buying an ice soften product.  

Kind

Ice soften is out there in strong and liquid formulations, every with professionals and cons. Strong ice soften sometimes is available in pellets and granules. It really works properly for a lot of functions and is usually the go-to resolution for street crews coping with icy and snowy climate. Pellets and granules are usually inexpensive and simpler to retailer than liquid formulation, and so they add a “crunchy” texture on surfaces that provides grip for strolling and driving. Their essential downsides are that they scatter extra simply throughout icy surfaces, making them tougher to use with precision, and that they are usually slower performing and extra more likely to clump collectively, which generally makes them much less efficient. 

Liquid ice soften is a smart alternative for lower-temperature conditions and occasions when quicker outcomes are obligatory. That stated, some merchandise have to be utilized earlier than ice varieties slightly than after. When utilized, liquid is much less more likely to scatter, staying in place for longer-lasting outcomes. Liquid de-icers, which are inclined to value extra, will be more difficult to move and retailer due to their weight. Plus, if heavy rain ensues, the product can get washed away. 

Self-heating ice soften, which is available in pellet and granular kind, generates its personal warmth when involved with ice and snow—a course of referred to as an exothermic response. Not like different merchandise that should soak up moisture to create a brine to soften the ice, self-heating ice soften can get proper to work.

Sort

Ice melts work by absorbing the moisture on the highest of the ice, creating what’s referred to as brine, and dealing its means down to interrupt the bond between the ice and the floor. This creates cracks and flakes which can be safer to stroll on and simpler to take away. All of those merchandise have a temperature restrict. If temperatures plummet past a product’s ice melting level, the chemical substances will not be efficient. Right here’s what to anticipate from the varied ice soften sorts obtainable:  

Calcium Chloride 

• Cheaper than sodium acetate however pricier than most different varieties
• Out there as pellets, flakes, powder, and liquid 
• Types a brine to decrease freezing level and produces warmth to soften ice
• Sensible choice for concrete 
• Melting temperature of -25 levels Fahrenheit 
• Can kill vegetation if utilized too closely
• If it leaks into waterways, it reduces oxygen ranges and might kill aquatic life

Magnesium Chloride

• Sluggish melting
• Out there in pellets or granules  
• Costlier than different ice melts
• Releases its warmth to soften ice
• Much less corrosive than calcium chloride or sodium chloride
• Considerably safer for flowers
• Melting temperature of 0 levels Fahrenheit

Calcium Magnesium Acetate

• Much less corrosive than rock salt (sodium chloride)
• Out there in pellets or granules 
• Requires bigger functions to be efficient
• Pet-friendly 
• Simpler to wash up than others
• Melting temperature of 20 levels Fahrenheit

Potassium Chloride 

• Is available in pellets or granules 
• Pricier and fewer efficient than different varieties, so it’s not used a lot anymore
• Secure for vegetation
• Melting temperature of 25 levels Fahrenheit

Rock Salt (Sodium Chloride)

• One of many least costly sorts
• Is available in granules
• Much less efficient in colder temps
• Corrosive to metals 
• Leaves white residue on surfaces
• Could kill vegetation if overused 
• Melting temperature of 20 levels Fahrenheit

Urea/Carbonyl Diamide

• Usually used as a fertilizer
• Is available in pellets or granules 
• Comprises nitrogen that may burn vegetation when utilized in extra 
• Not often used anymore
• Not efficient in decrease temps
• Melting temperature of 25 levels Fahrenheit

Floor Sort

Lots of the chemical substances in ice melts can probably harm surfaces, so it’s vital to think about the place the product can be used. The commonest areas—driveways, sidewalks, decks, and porches—will be composed of various supplies, similar to concrete, asphalt, wooden, and steel. Packaging and product descriptions of one of the best ice melts will reveal what supplies they can be utilized on safely, so you’ll want to learn this info prior to buy. It will be unwise to use a product that might corrode concrete, rust steel, or harm wooden on these surfaces across the house.

Temperature

The hunt for consolation and comfort in frigid climate has led to the invention of such merchandise as heated jackets, heated gloves, and electrical snow shovels. Equally, sure ice melts have been developed to work in colder climates. Some merchandise gained’t work in temperatures decrease than 20 levels Fahrenheit. That is acceptable if the temperature in an space seldom will get that low, however these merchandise gained’t get the job accomplished if you happen to reside in a colder spot. For areas the place temperatures can attain lower than 20 levels Fahrenheit, you’ll need to buy a product particularly made for decrease temperatures.

Melting Time

The time it takes a product to soften ice and snow relies on a number of components. Liquid ice melters and self-heating ice melters act pretty shortly. Not like strong melters that take time to soak up moisture and create the brine, liquid merchandise are already a brine. Self-heating ice melters have an analogous benefit: As an alternative of absorbing moisture, the pellets will warmth up extra shortly and soften the ice and snow quicker than different ice melters. No matter which kind you select, there’ll nonetheless be some downtime whilst you look forward to it to work, which you place to good use cleansing your home windows with an ice scraper.

Longevity

Longevity refers to an ice soften’s capacity to maintain working past the preliminary software interval. A protracted-lasting ice melter is very useful when snowstorms or icy rain proceed all through the day. Though long-lasting ice soften tends to be dearer, the price may even out since smaller quantities of product are inclined to get the job accomplished. 

Security and Environmental Affect

The chemical substances in some ice melters will be hazardous to pets and vegetation. Based on Alex Blutinger, Medical Director of Veterinary Emergency Group in Greenwich, Connecticut, “Melting ice will be very harmful to animals, particularly due to the tough components in ice soften merchandise. Ingestion of those chemical substances could cause abdomen upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. It could additionally irritate the paw pads and uncovered areas of the limbs.” Dr. Blutinger says that, if you happen to suspect your pet has been uncovered to unsafe deicing chemical substances, it’s best to wipe your pet’s paws with a moist material or child wipe to reduce ingestion by means of liking and scale back the danger of pores and skin irritation. Whereas utilizing a pet-safe ice soften is wise, you can too scale back publicity utilizing paw was or booties. 

Sure parts in ice melters can even do environmental harm, similar to killing wildlife that will ingest the pellets or aquatic life if the chemical substances attain waterways. Many individuals are involved concerning the impression of utilizing massive quantities of those merchandise outdoor, so it’s vital to learn product info fastidiously to grasp the dos and don’ts of utilizing ice soften.

Ideas for Utilizing Ice Soften 

To make sure you get one of the best efficiency out of your buy (or perhaps a do-it-yourself ice soften), strive the next de-icing ideas and methods.

• Including sand to ice soften can scale back the quantity of product used. This may also scale back potential harm to surfaces and enhance traction. 
• Making use of ice melts in layers will permit the product to work at its greatest. Including a skinny layer earlier than, throughout (if attainable), and after a climate occasion will yield one of the best outcomes. 
• Even when merchandise are secure for particular surfaces and regarded higher for vegetation, it’s nonetheless an excellent follow to scoop and take away any remaining product after it’s accomplished its job. This may lower the danger of injury to surfaces, pets, and vegetation. 
• Take away boots and wipe pets’ paws to keep away from bringing chemical substances into the house that might harm indoor surfaces. 
• All ice melters are handiest on surfaces already cleared of snow. This fashion, the product can instantly sort out the harmful slippery layer slightly than working by means of all of the snow on prime. 

FAQs 

Should you’re not eager to attempt to soften ice with out salt and wish extra details about ice melts, listed below are solutions to some generally requested questions. 

Meet the Tester

Zach Lazzari is a contract author splitting time between the good outdoor, journey, and DIY tasks starting from camper builds to house renovations and upkeep. His house base in Montana is the proper testing grounds for winter merchandise and snow tools. With over a decade {of professional} writing expertise, he additionally covers quite a lot of different tasks and upkeep subjects for Bobvila.com.

Extra analysis supplied by Rebecca Wolken.

 

Sensible Presents They’re going to Love

Our editors take satisfaction of their gift-giving abilities—and these are their prime recommendations for DIYers, plant mother and father, new householders, and extra.