It’s bad enough to have a dirty, grimy windshield, but a windshield covered in ice and snow will really slow you down.
A scraper can be used to remove the ice and snow from the windshield, but doing so requires a lot of work and awkward reaching, which can be extremely inconvenient and time-consuming in a tall SUV or van. With blustery winds and snow still falling, you might be tempted to stay at home! Disappointingly, that’s not an option.
But we have the solution; make some of this effective and cheap windshield cleaning and de-icer spray that won’t cost you anything but a little time and effort.
DIY De-icer Spray
Use a ratio of 2:1 rubbing alcohol to water in a spray container. To every 2 cups, add a half teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent. Ensure a good shake before use.
Spray the solution liberally on a windscreen that has frozen over. Keep waiting for a minute or two while it gradually breaks down the ice.
Some extra scraping may be required if the ice is particularly thick. In that case, get out your scraper and get rid of the tougher deposits. With a few good swishes of the windshield wipers, your windshield should be clear of ice and ready for driving.
Wait, we have more options. Get a good start on the day without having to deal with annoying windshield frost by using one of these 3 methods.
RUBBING ALCOHOL & WATER
Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and distilled water at room temperature. Before turning in for the night, spray the exterior of all vehicle windows.
It will be less of a chore to remove the frost in the morning. Even if you didn’t get things done the night before, it’s not too late. This remedy works swiftly and can still hasten the melting process.
VODKA & WATER
Have you ever noticed that freezing vodka doesn’t work? Vodka’s high ethanol content keeps it from freezing and makes it useful for defrosting car windows.
Spray or pour a mixture of one part room-temperature water and two parts vodka onto your windscreen.
HOW TO PREVENT AN ICEY WINDSHIELD FROM FORMING IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Are you out of windshield de-icer spray ingredients? Worry not! There are things you may do the night before to avoid morning windshield frost.
- You should use a blanket to cover the windshield at night. When not in use, keep the blanket in a convenient location like the trunk or glove compartment.
- Use an onion to rub it. Yes, this is a genuine thing! If you don’t believe us, just ask Reader’s Digest or Today. To keep your car’s windows from fogging up in the morning, rub half an onion over them.
- Get a parking spot facing east. Put your trust in Mother Nature to defrost your windshield. Some of the ice will begin to melt as the sun rises in the morning.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR WINDSHIELD IN THE COLD WEATHER?
Unexpected windshield damage from winter weather is always a possibility. Follow these guidelines for winter windshield maintenance to protect your glass from chips, cracks, and scrapes.
- Make sure the windshield is defrosted before you start scraping. Although windshield glass is strong, it might be damaged further if you scrape it aggressively. Use a defrosting spray solution and scrape away the ice!
- Never park your car where it could be squished by a tree or a branch. Due to the weight of accumulated snow and ice, tree limbs are more likely to break and fall on passing automobiles.
- Immediate attention should be paid to any cracks or chips. Cracks and chips in a windshield can spread more quickly in the winter, so it’s important to get them fixed before it’s time to replace the glass.
- Examine your rearview mirror because the cold winter weather is closer than it appears. Even while a DIY windshield spray might be helpful for morning frost, we recommend consulting with our mechanics regarding winterizing your vehicle.
- Stop by your local car service for a courtesy check, if your car’s defroster isn’t doing the job or if the heater is acting up.
