How to De-Ice Your Windshield
While it may not snow too often down here in the South, we still have to deal with ice on our windshields during the winter months. And nobody’s idea of fun is standing outside in the freezing cold working to scrape the ice away while the clock is ticking. Unless you are lucky enough to park in a garage, you most likely spend way too much time trying to clear your windshield. Today I’ve partnered with Thompson Chrysler Dodge Jeep to bring you these 3 quick and simple ways to de-ice your windshield this winter.
Image via Pixabay
1. Cover the Car
While car cover’s are not 100% effective, they do work pretty well to keep out the majority of the ice. The good news is you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a full car cover. Instead get creative. When you get home at night, take a sheet or an extra-large towel, or even a large piece of cardboard, and cover your entire windshield. Use the windshield wipers to hold it in place at the bottom, and a weight of some sort to hold it in place at the top. Just make sure whatever you use is not too heavy as some heavier covers could set off your car’s alarm. When you come out the next morning, simply remove the cover and you’re good to go! While there may still be a thin layer of frost, it’s nothing that your defroster can’t take care of in just a few short minutes!
2. Store Bought De-icers
Almost every auto store will have a shelf of de-icers and ice preventers. Ice preventers will need to be sprayed on the windshield the night before. While ice preventers will not keep your windshield 100% clear, whatever ice does accumulate will be light enough to where you can remove it easily.
If you opt for a deicer, you will use it in the morning. Go out and start your car, cut on the defroster, and if there is any snow, remove it. Then simply spray the remaining ice with the solution. From there you can just scrape a little bit, and then run your wiper to get rid of the rest.
3. Homemade Deicers
Do a quick search on the internet and you will find tons of recipes for homemade deicers. And while it’s true that most of these are quick and effective ways to de-ice your windshield, you need to be extra careful. This is because most homemade deicers are made either alcohol, salt or ice. Over time, with frequent use, these ingredients can all cause damage to your car’s paint, chrome and even the glass.
However, if you still want to give it a try, the most effective mixture is a simple solution of two parts 70% isopropyl alcohol with one part water and a few drops of dish soap. Simply apply it using a spray bottle, and it will quickly banish the ice from your windshield.
Whichever of these methods you decide to try to de-ice your windshield this winter, always make sure your windshield is free from ice before hitting the road.