Tips for De-icing Your Windshield

What’s the winter pet peeve almost everyone can agree on? De-icing your windshield. If you can’t escape the frustrating task by parking in a garage or underneath a carport, review our tips to ensure you don’t have to suffer longer than necessary.

Prior to a storm, cover your windshield using a tarp, large towel, or old sheet. Secure the cover in place using your wiper blades, weights, or magnets so it does not blow off. Windshield covers are best used when little or no snowfall is expected as heavy snow deposits can make removing a cover difficult.
Tip: To aid in prevention and ease of removal, some DIYers soak windshield covers in a solution of one tablespoon salt to one-quart water and store the damp cover in a plastic bag between uses.

Make a DIY windshield ice remover using household ingredients. Mix one part rubbing alcohol, two parts water and a few drops of dish soap. Apply the solution with a spray bottle and store it indoors so the added warmth can speed up the process.

Purchase a commercial glass de-icer spray. These products typically contain methanol, which is the best form of alcohol for de-icing, but it can cost up to $15 per quart and may contain pet-hazardous ethylene glycol.
Tip: Homemade and commercial de-icing solutions are not directly harmful to your vehicle’s paint, but can remove car wax over time. Practice total car care by periodically washing and rewaxing any affected areas.

Use your car to aid in the process. Start the engine, set the heater to defrost, adjust the airflow to recirculate, and move the temperature control to full heat. If your car has an automatic climate control system, set it to defrost.

Never use hot water to melt ice. This can crack glass by causing thermal shock and result in an expensive repair.

Never use a metal scraper, which can scratch the glass. Instead, use a plastic scraper, the windshield wipers, a rubber squeegee or a soft bristle brush to remove ice.

Do not cut corners. While it can be tempting to remove the least amount of ice necessary before driving off on a frigid winter morning, it is best to play it safe and remove all snow and ice from all glass to avoid driving in an unsafe manner.

Find more helpful automotive articles at AAA.com/AutoRepair.