If you're rushing to get to work in the morning, the last thing you want to see in the garage is the frosted windshield. Driving with an ice-covered windshield is extremely unsafe, and may violate driving regulations in some countries and may result in your driver's license being detained by the police. Cleaning the glass with an ice pick takes a long time, and can scratch the glass. Fortunately, this is not the only option. You can melt the ice on your windshield quickly using a few easy tricks below.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Ice Cleaning Liquid
Step 1. Purchase an ice cleaner or make your own at home
Special liquids for defrosting can be purchased at most gas stations, auto shops, and supermarkets; especially if you live in a cold climate. However, if you don't have the liquid or want to save money, make your own. Follow the simple instructions below:
To make the defrost, pour rubbing alcohol into a clean, dry spray bottle. Add a few drops of dish soap. Put the lid on, then shake it a few times to mix the ingredients well
Step 2. Spray the liquid onto the frozen glass
The way to use ice cleaner is the same, even if you use a ready-to-use product or make your own. Spray the liquid onto the frozen glass, then let it sit for a few moments. You don't need to let it sit for more than a minute or two – the more liquid you spray, the less time it will take.
Step 3. Scrape the glass as usual
Use a plastic scraper, gloved hands, or other tool to scrape the ice off. The ice will break down more easily and faster than usual, so you can save time. If necessary, re-spray the liquid onto the stubborn ice.
In general, rubbing alcohol has a very low freezing point. So, cleaning the ice on the car with this liquid is quite safe unless the outside temperature reaches -29 C or lower
Method 2 of 4: Using a Credit Card
Step 1. Turn on the windshield warmer
This is a last resort to try if you don't have warm water, defrost or glass scraper available – for example, your windshield freezes in the parking lot while you're at work. Since you'll be using a credit card or other simple tool to scrape the ice, it's a good idea to use anything that can help. To start with, start the car and turn on the car warmer/defrost to the highest possible temperature. Keep the car running throughout this process – over time, this will soften and melt the ice making your task easier.
Step 2. Find the right credit card
Search your wallet for credit cards or other rigid, hard plastic cards. Don't use laminated cards – they are less rigid and not hard enough to scrape the ice effectively. If possible, try using a card that isn't important to you, such as an expired credit card, as this method risks damaging the card. However, do not store the card after use because the card provider company usually recommends you destroy the old card to prevent the risk of fraud.
Step 3. Start scraping
Grasp the long side of the card while tilting it slightly, then rub it against the glass firmly. Keep the card straight, not bent or bent as you scrape the glass. Otherwise, the card may be permanently broken or bent.
- Do not give up! Using a credit card to scrape ice requires more effort than using a regular scraper. You may need to press hard to get the results you want.
- If you're afraid of breaking your credit card, you may need to double the friction force by scraping it with two or three stacks of credit cards.
Step 4. Use windshield wiper and windshield cleaning fluid to help you
The crushed ice will fall under the windshield. Spray some window cleaner and turn on the windshield wipers every now and then for a few seconds. The liquid will help soften the remaining ice, while the windshield wiper will remove the ice from the windows. With a combination of your efforts, a spray of window cleaner, and a windshield wiper, the glass will be frost-free within minutes.
Method 3 of 4: Using Rice-Filled Bags or Sodium Acetate-Based Hand Warmers
Step 1. Place the rice in a glove or a thick zip-lock bag, then heat in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute
You will need to provide several bags of rice to complete this job.
Step 2. Slide the bag of hot rice all over the windshield while sitting in the front seat
This will warm the glass so that the ice melts.
- Hand warmers made of sodium acetate can also be used in the same way, and can be stored in the car. A small flick can activate the heat inside the pack. You can reheat it by boiling the product.
- The advantage of this method over other methods is that the heated glass will not freeze again when you drive. Plus, you can keep yourself warm in the car while defrosting.
Step 3. Be careful and do this process quickly
Just as boiling water can crack glass, keeping the heater in one position for too long can put pressure on the glass. Be sure to limit the heating of the glass to one point until the ice melts a little because later the remaining ice will melt as you warm other areas. Windshield wipers can be used to clean the melted ice.
Method 4 of 4: Prevent Glass from Freezing
Step 1. Cover the glass at night
The best way to make sure the frost on the windshield doesn't keep you up in the morning is to make sure it doesn't build up. To do this, cover your windshield with a towel, folded sheet, or cardboard the night before any dew or ice crystals appear on the windshield. Try to wrap the glass tightly so that condensation (which can turn into ice) doesn't appear.
One trick to keep your windshield from frost is to use windshield wipers to hold the cover you put on. As for other glass, you may need to use stones or weights to hold the cover from falling
Step 2. Remove the glass cover in the morning
Take towels, sheets, and other items used to cover windows. The cover may feel damp or cold. If you intend to reuse the same cover at your destination, be sure to put a water-absorbing pad, such as a tarp, before placing it in the trunk of the car.
Step 3. Scrape off the frozen glass
While this method can reduce the amount of ice stuck to the window, there may still be some frozen parts. Use a plastic scraper, hand, or other tool to remove the ice from blocking your view. If you're in a hurry, you may need to get in your car and turn on the windshield wipers and sprayers to get rid of the ice.
Tips
- If freezing is inevitable, lift the windshield wiper to prevent it from freezing and sticking to the windshield.
- Make sure the windshield wipers are turned off before you turn off the car. So, if later the swabs freeze with the windshield and you start the car, they won't turn on until the ice has melted.
- Car blowers usually don't reach the bottom of the glass where the inactive windshield wipers are stored. Before turning off your car at night, manually pull the swabs out about 3 cm. When you turn on the blower the next morning, the ice on the wiper blades will melt first.
- To remove a thin layer of ice, you can turn your car heater on to its highest temperature, then turn on the windshield wipers to scrape off the ice.
- Room temperature tap water or cold tap water can melt ice quickly, especially thick ice. Pour tap water over the top of the windshield before scraping the ice.
- When the temperature is near or past freezing, use windshield wipers and sprayers to speed up the defrosting process. However, if the weather is too cold, the thin film of water on the glass that remains after wiping can freeze quickly, especially when driving.
- If you forgot to put the shutters on or the cold weather suddenly hits, get out of the house 10 minutes early to start the car. Point the car heater at the glass, then turn it on to the highest temperature. This method can melt the ice on the windshield. However, it is best not to leave the car while it is still running as there is a risk of it being stolen from the yard or parking lot.
- You can prevent the accumulation of ice on the windshield overnight by parking the car facing east. The light of the rising sun will melt the ice.
Warning
- Do not use a metal shovel (or any object not made for cleaning glass) to scrape off ice, snow, or frozen dew on the windshield.
- Clean the ice on the windshield wiper first before turning it on.
- Never throw hot water on a frozen windshield. Extreme changes in temperature can cause glass to crack.
- Plastic cards may break or become unusable after cleaning the ice from the glass. Choose an unused card – or keep an expired credit card to achieve this goal.
