Have you ever woken up late on a frosty or icy morning in winter and thought “Urgh, I'm already late this is going to take ages to defrost?” Well not anymore!
There are many methods to de-icing your car and we know that time is precious, especially when it’s half 7 in the morning and you’re already running late.
If done incorrectly, defrosting your windscreen can lead to damage and expensive repairs which may not be covered in your car insurance policy. It’s important to protect your windscreen so here are our pro-tips on how you can de-ice your car quickly and safely!
Use a de-icer and ice scraper
If you’re wondering what our #1 tip is, look no further. It’s a good idea to keep a bottle of de-icer for your car in your car emergency kit.
Proper de-icer spray. It’s super handy, pretty cheap and you can buy it in most petrol stations. All you need to do is spray the alcohol-based solution on your windscreen or car windows and wait a couple of minutes for the magic to happen.
Another useful tool to carry in your emergency kit is an ice scraper. A good ice scraper is essential on cold, icy mornings when you need to clear your car quickly. It’s a practical buy and very efficient to clear thick layers of ice and snow – leaving snow on your car can obstruct your vision whilst driving and more importantly, it’s illegal!
There are other ways to de-ice your car without a de-icer and scraper, let’s check them out.
Turn up the heating
If you’re thinking of using your car's heating system or air con to remove the ice and frost on your windshield, then it’s best to get up early. Using this method takes some time but it’s one of the best ways to help protect your windscreen.
Turn your blowers up to full and ensure the temperature is set to high. Don’t forget to point the blowers at the windshield.
Be aware - Lots of cars get stolen during the winter months as many people leave their engines running using this method. Never leave your car unattended, especially if it’s parked in a busy city or in public.
Use hand sanitiser for those locks
Yes, we know it sounds strange, but it works! Most hand sanitisers contain small amounts of alcohol which can help defrost and clear your car locks. And now we all have a few bottles of sanitiser at hand…
Homemade de-icers
Salt and water
It’s no secret that salt helps defrost ice and prevents it from forming which is why we salt our roads when we know it might be frosty out. There are two options you could try: spray a salt and water solution on your windscreen the night before or use it to de-ice your windscreen in the morning.
Or treat yourself and do both!
Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol, such as isopropyl alcohol, can be used as a de-icer. If you have a spray bottle, add two parts rubbing alcohol and one part water and shake well.
Spray some on your windshield or on door handles. You can use an ice scraper to remove thicker layers of ice then turn on your windshield wipers to clear the residue.
Boiling water – step away from the kettle.
Your first thought might be to de-ice your car with water but pouring hot water on your car windscreen is a bad idea! It can shatter the glass – and this happens way more often than you think.
The sudden change in temperature can crack your windscreen and scalding water can also damage your paintwork by melting the layer of protective wax/lacquer.
So, to avoid a hefty repair bill, just don’t risk it. If you must use water to de-ice, use lukewarm water from the kitchen tap.
