Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

The Effects of Antifreeze on Grass

...
Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Antifreeze is used in vehicles to prevent components from freezing in low winter temperatures. It is also the name given to liquid used to cool vehicles down during the hot summer. Most people refill their own antifreeze chambers within their cars at home. It is a fairly simple job, and doing so saves money. However, antifreeze does nothing to save the grass if accidentally spilled. In fact, the chemical is a slow grass killer.

Antifreeze the Grass Killer

It is well known that antifreeze kills animals who are drawn to the liquid because of the sweet smell that the chemical has. Antifreeze is also toxic to grass. Home mechanics who do not properly dispose of the empty antifreeze container after use or who spill the liquid while refilling the car can kill the grass by allowing the liquid to contact it. However, antifreeze may not kill the grass immediately. An experiment performed by Selah Intermediate School found that antifreeze slows the growth of grass in small doses. The grasses seemed to lose 30 percent of its height in six days, after six days of being sprayed with the antifreeze. A constant exposure to an antifreeze spill could take days, but the grass will eventually die.

  • Antifreeze is used in vehicles to prevent components from freezing in low winter temperatures.
  • However, antifreeze does nothing to save the grass if accidentally spilled.

Depends on Ingredients

The toxic ingredient in the antifreeze is ethylene glycol. It is colorless and odorless and used in products for heating and cooling. Ethylene glycol contaminates the soil and groundwater, killing plants and even harming humans who consume the tainted water. It is not biodegradable and can cause problems in the soil, hindering or preventing the growth of future plants.

The Biodegrable Option

Companies are now using recycled antifreeze products to prevent groundwater contamination and plant death. The chemical, propylene glycol, is used in the food processing field as a preservative. It is not harmful to humans and is not harmful to plants. Propylene glycol-based antifreeze has no known affect on grass and should be used in place of the ethylene glycol as antifreeze for your car. Look for environmentally friendly brands and read the active ingredients. Steer clear from the ethylene glycol brands.

  • The toxic ingredient in the antifreeze is ethylene glycol.
  • Ethylene glycol contaminates the soil and groundwater, killing plants and even harming humans who consume the tainted water.

Considerations

Antifreeze isn’t the only product that contains ethylene glycol. You can also find it in deicing products used on sidewalks, porches and driveways. When this chemical is spilled on the grass, it can prevent growth in the spring.

Related Articles

After Fertilizing Your Lawn, When Is it Safe to Let Your Pets on the Lawn
After Fertilizing Your Lawn, When Is it Safe to Let...
Will Laundry Detergent Kill Grass?
Will Laundry Detergent Kill Grass?
The Effect of Nicotine on Plant Growth
The Effect of Nicotine on Plant Growth
Chemicals That Kill Grass
Chemicals That Kill Grass
Is Preen Dangerous to Dogs?
Is Preen Dangerous to Dogs?
Dangers of Roundup Weed Killer for Pets
Dangers of Roundup Weed Killer for Pets
Florists & Foam Toxicity
Florists & Foam Toxicity
The Effects of Roundup on Food Crops
The Effects of Roundup on Food Crops
2-4-D Weed Killer Information
2-4-D Weed Killer Information
Ingredients in Scotts Weed & Feed
Ingredients in Scotts Weed & Feed
Does Scotts Bonus S Kill Bermuda Grass?
Does Scotts Bonus S Kill Bermuda Grass?
Ingredients in Trimec Plus Herbicide
Ingredients in Trimec Plus Herbicide
Homemade Lawn Deodorizer
Homemade Lawn Deodorizer
What Is Good for Killing Creeping Charlie Weeds & Clover?
What Is Good for Killing Creeping Charlie Weeds & Clover?
Garden Guides
×