Over time, dust, insects, and other debris can build up on your windshield. As a result, the view while driving will be blocked and the car looks shabby. Fortunately, there are several products and techniques you can use to keep your windshield clean. Although the process is easy, the cleanliness of the windshield must always be maintained to ensure the safety of you and other drivers while driving on the road.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Cleaning the Outside of the Car Windshield
Step 1. Lift the wiper on the windshield
Before you spray the cleaning product on the windshield, make sure the area under the wiper is also cleaned. Keep the swabs raised during the cleaning process.
Step 2. Spray half the windshield with a cleaning product
You can spray the glass on the right or left side first. Try to spread your spray as widely as possible over the windshield that you want to clean. Usually two or three sprays are sufficient, but give 4-5 sprays if the windshield is very large.
Step 3. Wipe the windshield in a straight vertical motion
Take a microfiber cloth and place it on the top edge of the center of the windshield. After that, swipe the glass straight down until it reaches the bottom edge. Then, start again at the top end of the glass, right next to the part that was previously wiped. Wipe back the windshield with a straight vertical motion downwards. Continue this process until you reach the right or left end of the windshield and half of the windshield has been wiped clean.
If you can't reach the center of the windshield, stand on the step stool to reach it
Step 4. Wipe the glass in a straight horizontal motion
When half of the windshield has been wiped in a straight vertical motion, continue with horizontal strokes. Start again from the middle of the top end of the windshield, and swipe in a straight horizontal motion towards the end of the windshield where you are standing. After that, repeat the exact same movement under your previous stroke. Continue this process until half of your windshield is completely clean.
Step 5. Repeat the above process on the remaining glass
Once half of your windshield has been cleaned, move on to the other half. For example, if you've finished wiping the windshield on the right, it's time to get on with the work on the left. This ensures the glass is thoroughly cleaned.
- If you need to wipe a certain area several times, wipe it back and forth.
- Do not clean the glass in circular motions as this can leave streaks.
Step 6. Shine the windshield
The first wiping process will clean the dirt along with cleaning products from the windshield. This time, you will be polishing the windshield in a circular motion. Grab a new, clean microfiber cloth and get to work. Depending on the size of the windshield, you may need to prepare some microfiber cloth. Make small circular motions around the surface of the windshield. Start with one side of the windshield, then move to the next to make sure that the entire windshield is completely polished.
Your windshield will sparkle like a diamond
Method 2 of 5: Cleaning the Inside of Car Windshield
Step 1. Spread some microfiber cloth on the dashboard of your car
Thus, there are no drops of cleaning product liquid that wet the dashboard. You can use a towel that is used to wipe and polish the outside of the windshield so it doesn't waste.
Step 2. Spray the glass cleaner on the scrubbing sponge
Apply some additional spray to the half of the windshield. Start from the top left corner of the glass in front of the passenger seat, and wipe in a straight downward motion. After that, continue to the right of your previous stroke, and again wipe the glass from the top to the bottom. Continue this process until you reach the middle of the windshield.
Keep sitting in the passenger seat while cleaning the glass so you don't hit or shift the steering wheel
Step 3. Rub the glass in front of the driver's seat
Wipe with a scrubbing sponge from the top edge to the bottom edge of the glass, just as you would clean the glass in front of the passenger seat. Scrub all the interior of the windshield until it is clean and shiny. When finished, use a microfiber cloth to wipe the entire surface of the windshield again until there is no more cleaning liquid left. Wipe the entire surface of the windshield in small circular motions.
Method 3 of 5: Planning a Windshield Cleaning
Step 1. Choose the right glass cleaning product
Do not use glass cleaners that contain ammonia because this substance can damage the color of the windshield. Almost all household glass cleaners contain ammonia. If your car has tinted windows, look for a product that says “Safe for tinted windows.” Usually, you can buy this product at an automotive store.
- Actually, plain water is good enough to clean the windshield. However, plain water does not contain the compounds found in commercial glass cleaners, making it less effective. If you use water to clean the glass, it's also a good idea to use a microfiber cloth to make sure the windshield can be wiped clean.
- Remember that ammonia is a substance that can damage a variety of materials. Ammonia can also be detrimental to health. Therefore, be careful when used in the interior of your car.
Step 2. Plan the windshield cleaning
Windshield cleaning should be done last after cleaning or polishing your car. If you wax, polish, or repaint your car, make sure all of them are done before cleaning the windshield. Otherwise, polishes or other unwanted substances may contaminate the cleaned glass. If you clean the car's interior glass, do it before cleaning the inside of the windshield so that the clean windshield is not contaminated with cleaning products.
Step 3. Choose the right place to clean your windshield
If your car is out in the sun, the cleaning fluid will evaporate before you can wipe it down. Park the car in the shade or in the garage before starting to clean the windshield.
Step 4. Choose the right cloth to clean the windshield
Purchase a high-quality microfiber cloth to clean the windshield. Make sure the weight of the fabric is at least 300 GSM (grams square meters aka grams per meter squared). This cloth can hold up to eight times more water and will not scratch the delicate coating on the windshield. What's more, this fabric prevents scratches due to particles adhering to the fabric due to being attracted by static electricity. Microfiber cloths can be purchased at automotive stores.
Method 4 of 5: Cleaning Car Windshield with Swabs
Step 1. Locate your windshield wiper lever
This lever is a long rod that is straight or angled, and is located on the left side of the steering column. If it's hard to find, check your car's user manual, or contact the car manufacturer.
Step 2. Push the wiper lever toward you
When you pull the windshield wiper lever toward you, two sprays of cleaning fluid will “shoot” your windshield. If there is no or only a small amount of windshield cleaning fluid coming out, open the hood of your car and check the contents of the windshield wiper fluid tank. If the tank is empty, fill it according to your needs.
If both of your windshield wipers don't work, take the car to a repair shop for a new one. You can also try buying new swabs yourself, but consult a car owner's manual to make sure you're buying swabs of the right length
Step 3. Release the windshield wiper lever
When the windshield has had sufficient cleaning fluid and has been wiped with a swab, release the lever to finish cleaning. If the swab leaves streaks, it's a good idea to change your brand of cleaning fluid after the tank is empty. You can also buy new swabs. Seek advice from an auto shop employee regarding this matter.
- Car windshield wipers should be replaced every 2-3 years.
- If there are deposits on the rubber swabs, wipe them off with rubbing alcohol or mineral spirit.
Method 5 of 5: Cleaning Dirt with Detailing Clay
Step 1. Prepare 85-100 grams of detailing clay sticks
Detailing clay (or glass-cleaning clay) is an elastic compound that can catch grit and oil trapped in tight crevices and pull them out. If your windshield has deep enough scratches, dust and dirt can build up inside. Even if the squeaks are not visible, the fine particles that have accumulated on the entire surface of the windshield can be cleaned with detailing clay. This product can be purchased at automotive care stores.
Each detailing clay comes with a specific usage guide. Read the product packaging carefully and follow the instructions provided
Step 2. Wet the windshield of the car with water
Next, spray automotive lubricant onto the windshield. This combination of liquids will help the clay to wipe the entire surface of the windshield. The amount of lubricant and water given depends on the size of the car being cleaned. A bus certainly requires more water and lubricant than a sedan.
Step 3. Grip the detailing clay lengthwise
Hold the detailing clay as if you were holding soap. Place your middle and index fingers on the clay, your thumb on one side and your other fingers on the opposite side. Rub detailing clay on the lubricant/water applied to the windshield. Detailing clay will wipe the entire windshield smoothly.
Step 4. Place the detailing clay on the windshield
Reach to the windshield of the car and place the clay in the middle. The detailing clay should be placed in the center of the bottom of the windshield where the windshield meets the hood.
Step 5. Rub the detailing clay all over the windshield
Move the detailing clay from the bottom edge to the top edge of the windshield, where the glass meets the roof of the car. When you've rubbed in a straight vertical motion, return the clay to the bottom edge of the windshield, right next to the previous vertical stroke. Move the detailing clay back straight up until it reaches its meeting point with the roof. This second line must be parallel to the first line. Keep repeating this process, until you have rubbed the glass on the left or right edge of the windshield.
Step 6. Clean the existing sand
When you feel the clay moving slowly or sticking, it means the detailing clay has caught the sand or oil on the windshield.
Step 7. Switch to the other side and repeat the above process
Start again by placing the clay in the middle of the bottom edge of the windshield. Move the detailing clay straight up until it meets the roof. Once that's done, place the clay back on the bottom edge of the windshield, right next to the line you previously made, and move the detailing clay back straight up. Keep repeating this process until you have rubbed the glass on the right or left end of the windshield.
Step 8. Wipe the glass clean when you're done
Take a microfiber cloth and wipe the entire windshield in a large circular motion. Thus, the remaining clay that is still attached will be cleaned. You can use the same hand to clean the entire windshield, or change hands for every half of the windshield.
Tips
- Be patient and don't rush while working so that your windshield is clean and smudge-free.
- If you don't have a microfiber cloth, feel free to use newsprint. Newspaper ink will act as a solvent and the paper will not leave streaks.
