The proper ways to-de-ice your windshield
What you should not do in order to de-ice your windshield
Final word
The proper ways to-de-ice your windshield
On a cold winter morning, there is a good chance that precipitation from the previous night has left a film of ice over your windshield. This is a big inconvenience as you will not be able to start driving until you are able to completely de-ice your windshield. Fortunately, there are several effective and safe ways to do so.
The most typical way to de-ice your windshield is to clear any snow off of your windshield, run your car and defrosters for five to ten minutes and then use an ice scrapper. However, that method can be time consuming, up to a half hour in fact. Another method would be to use rubbing alcohol where you mix two thirds rubbing alcohol and one third water in a spray bottle. You spray it on your windshield, wait a minute or two and turn your wipers on. The ice should then be completely clear. Yet another method for clearing ice off your windshield will be to simultaneously use your car’s defrosters and a plastic bag with very hot water. You take that bag and drag it along the ice on your windshield. This way, you are heating the ice from both sides.
What you should not do in order to de-ice your windshield
Just as there are several ways to properly de-ice your windshield, there are ways that either will not work and/or will damage your windshield in the process. Always avoid trying these methods no matter how much of a rush you are in.
Never pour hot or boiling water on your windshield in an effort to de-ice it. This will be effective in the short term but in the slightly longer term it will cause your windshield to crack due to the extreme and rapid change in temperatures. You should also avoid striking the ice on your windshield with anything other than an ice-scrapper designed for cars. If you do use something like an ice pick or screwdriver, you can easily chip or crack your windshield. Finally, do not just try to use your windshield wipers, this will be largely ineffective and can easily damage your wipers in the process.
Final word
De-icing your windshield is a huge inconvenience and will take some time that you might not have in the morning. Be sure you are smart about the way you de-ice your windshield so that you do not damage your windshield, your wipers or end up costing yourself more time than you would have if you just did it the right way in the first place. A smart idea is always to give yourself extra time on mornings where there might be a possibility of having to de-ice your windshield.
