Best Ways to Defrost Car Windscreen

If you are a driver not living in the northern parts of the country, you’re probably very familiar with frozen windscreen! And even when you’re not late somewhere – what a drag it is to scrape ice while your fingers want to fall off of cold.

Use water, but not boiling water

One of the most common ways of defrosting a windscreen is with water. However, never EVER use boiling water because you can crack the glass, and at that point, frosted windscreen will be the least of the problem. What you should do is use lukewarm water, defrost the glass, and wipe away the residue with a dry cloth or a plastic ice scraper. This method is quite popular because it does the job within seconds and it is super cheap.

An Ice Scraper?

Another cheap but not so fast and effective method is defrosting the windscreen with an ice scraper. There is almost no driver who doesn’t have one of these in their car. It is super convenient if you cannot use any other method. But, if you are already running late using an ice scraper can be quite annoying. Not to mention it requires a certain amount of physical strength and stamina, so if you are a woman of a particular age, this might not be your method of choice. Side not—never use metal scrapers, it will scratch the hell out of the glass. I have learned this the hard way.

Use your credit card

In the lack of a plastic ice scraper, you can give your credit or debit card another purpose. However, if you are not a fan of doing it with an ice scraper, you are probably not going to feel thrilled about this method also. But, if it is currently the only option, then there is no room for complaining. Make sure to use the long edge of the credit card, because that way you will be able to clean the bigger surface and the card will be less bendy. Also, ladies, watch out for that nails because this one is a manicure killer.

Rubbing alcohol in water

Another great way to defrost your windscreen is by using rubbing alcohol or isopropyl and water. Put ⅓ part water and ⅔ part isopropyl or rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle or whatever suits you most, and voila! You are ready to fight that frost! However, if you do not want alcohol to damage the paint on the car, make sure to wash and wax it on a regular basis. You can even make an extra bottle of the mixture and keep it in your car. Do not worry; it will not freeze, because alcohol freezing point is 138 degrees below zero.

Use your heater

If you have an extra half an hour or so in the morning, and let us assume you do, you can go outside, and defrost the windscreen with the heater. Turn on the heat on max, turn the air conditioner on, and roll down the window just a little bit. This will make your windscreen defrost, and your vehicle will be warm and cozy when your kids come in. The downside of this method is that if you did not think about it on time, and you are running late, you will be running even later.

Buy a de-icer

If you do not want to make the mixture by yourself, you can buy industrial de-icer. It does the job quickly, you can keep it in your car, and it does not damage the windscreen. Not the mention that you can choose from various product according to your needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Whatever option you choose, make sure not to do what it is called “portholing”. It is the way of driving while only one small part of your windshield is cleaned from the frost. You can not only put your life at risk but lives of other people on the road as well. Also, if you do not want to damage the windscreen DO NO USE METAL SCRAPPERS AND HOT WATER. Instead, use a plastic ice scraper, lukewarm water, rubbing alcohol, or de-icer. All of these tricks will do the job, and you and your passengers will be safe during those long winter rides.