5 Tips To Clean Ice Off Your Vehicle Windshield/Windows

If you are living in Canada, where there are freezing temperatures during winter, a frozen windshield on your car is likely to be an everyday occurrence in the winter weather. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove ice from your car windshield. However, the downside is that there are so many different ways that you could become easily confused. To make your job simpler, we bring you a few tips for cleaning ice off your windshield.

It is illegal in some countries if you cannot see properly through your car windows. In the first place it is hazardous, and secondly, it could attract a hefty fine.

For the best results for removing ice from your car, you should take immediate action as well as proactive measures.
Our discussion begins with immediate action required and then goes on to a few proactive steps you can take.

Ice Removal from Icy Windshields

• The first step is to start your car and let the engine idle for a while. If our vehicle has a defrost setting, activate that as well. It should take about 15 minutes for the car window glass to warm up to begin the melting process.

• Never splash warm water, hot water or even cold water directly on an icy windshield. This heat could cause thermal shock and cause your car windshield to crack. This occurrence is particularly possible in the case of a frozen windshield. Using boiling water is entirely out of the question.

• While your car engine is idling, ensure that there is no ice obstruction on the vehicle tailpipe. A blocked exhaust with the engine running could result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

Saltwater Solution

You can use a plastic spray bottle to spray salt water solution as a homemade de-icer. However, spray the saltwater sparingly, as this de-icer sprayed in excess could damage your windshield. Road salt works better than table salt, so you may like to use that in your de-icing solution.

Alcohol and Water Solution

Try spraying a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water in a ratio of 2 parts alcohol to 1 part water. To enhance the effect, you can also add a few drops of dish soap to this home-made deicer. It works to lower the freezing point of the ice on your car windshield to melt it faster.

Commercial De-icers

If you are OK to spend a bit of extra money and save a bit of time, commercial deicers are an excellent option to de-ice your windshield. Like ice scrapers, these formulas are available in most auto stores. Just follow the instructions for deicing your icy car window quickly. You may need to use some on the side windows as well.

Scraping Ice Mechanically

After using a windshield de-icer or if there is only a light frost on your car window, you can use an ice scraper, snow brush, or squeegee to remove ice from your car windows in cold weather. These should be readily available in your local car supply shop.

Proactive Measures During Cold Weather

Follow these few tips to minimize the problem of having to de-ice your windshield:

• Cover your Windshield

Follow this procedure only if you have light or no snow on your windshield. Lay a towel, tarp or sheet soaked in salt water at room temperature on your windshield. Hold the cloth in place with your windshield wipers. You can store the wet towel in a plastic bag once done and then take it into the house. This measure will keep the cloth at room-temperature the next time you need to use it.

• Stocking Up on De-Icers

You can use a commercial de-icer or make a home-made deicing solution. For making a home-made solution prepare a vinegar solution of three cups of white vinegar to one cup of water. Spray the solution on the snowy area of your car window. Avoid applying excess of this vinegar and water solution, as it could damage your car windows.

• Add Alcohol to Your Windshield Washer Fluid

If you add some rubbing alcohol to your windshield washer fluid, you can prevent ice formation on the lines of the wiper blades. This method is a cost-effective one to suppress the process before ice forms in places with cold climate. Rubbing alcohol will mix with most washer fluids.

• Accessories for De-Icing your Car Windows

If you live in cold climates, you can keep accessories like a soft-bristled brush, snow brushes, and ice scrapers handy. You can store these devices in the glove box of your car. Your glovebox may not hold everything so that you can put the rest in plastic bags. It is a good idea to keep a small spray bottle of de-icer spray in your glove-box if you have space.

• Cover Your Car

Covering your car with a tarp when it is parked overnight is a great way to control ice accumulation. Some ice is still likely to collect on the car windows, but you will find it easier to manage. You can also put a towel soaked in saltwater under your wiper blade before covering the car with a tarp. Of course, keeping your car parked in a garage overnight is the best option. However, it is not a facility that is available to everyone.

– A Little Planning Goes a Long Way –

During the cold weather with sub-zero temperatures dealing with icy windshields can be a nightmare. The procedure can be tedious and time-consuming. However, if you are a bit organized and have a bit of an idea how to cope, you can manage well.

We have addressed a common problem that occurs in cold climates and offered multiple solutions to this problem. Each situation can be unique, so you need to choose the best-suited solution.

We at Viking Motors hope that these tips for cleaning ice off your windshield will be useful to you. Please write to us with feedback and comments, and we will be glad to get back to you.