Life Hack for Quickly There’s plenty to love about the winter season — shimmery snowfalls, crackling fires and fuzzy socks, to name a few. But those of us who live in cold climates know there’s one thing that is the literal worst: scraping the ice off your car after an overnight or early morning freeze.
Not only is scraping your car windows a messy, cold job, but sometimes despite your best efforts, the ice just won’t budge. Plus, most car defrosters just aren’t speedy enough when the clock is ticking to beat the morning rush hour. Thankfully, though, we just discovered a new hack for melting away ice on car windows thanks to good old Reddit — and an expert we talked to says it’s actually a very smart idea.
According to Reddit user Luisquin, to melt ice, put windshield wiper fluid in a spray bottle and apply it directly to your icy car windows. “There’s no risk of cracking the glass like using hot water,” the user wrote in the Lifehacks subreddit, which received over two thousand upvotes. “A lot easier than scraping the ice.”
Sounds pretty straightforward, but does it actually work? According to a professional car testing expert we talked to, the answer is a resounding yes.
“This is definitely a trick I’ve seen used and used myself,” says Gannon Burgett, an associate testing editor at Hearst Autos. “I actually tried it out after seeing a friend that worked at a dealership use it to clean off some of the cars in the lot.”
Life Hack for Quickly Waking up to a frozen windshield on a chilly morning can be frustrating, especially when you’re in a hurry. Scraping ice off manually can be time-consuming and exhausting. But don’t worry! Here are some quick and effective life hacks to defrost your windshield in no time.
1. Use a Homemade De-Icer Spray
One of the fastest ways to melt ice off your windshield is by using a simple de-icer solution. Here’s how you can make it at home:
- Mix two-thirds rubbing alcohol with one-third water in a spray bottle.
- Add a few drops of dish soap for extra effectiveness.
- Spray the mixture generously on your windshield, and watch the ice melt away quickly.
2. Turn on the Defrost Setting
If you have time, let your car’s built-in defrost system do the work:
- Start your car and set the heater to full blast.
- Turn on the defrost mode to direct warm air toward the windshield.
- Gradually increase the temperature to prevent cracking the glass.
3. Use a Plastic Bag Filled with Warm Water
This is a super quick trick:
- Fill a ziplock bag with warm (not hot) water.
- Gently glide it over the windshield to melt the ice.
- Be careful not to use boiling water, as it can crack the glass due to sudden temperature change.
4. Cover Your Windshield Overnight
Preventive measures can save time in the morning:
- Place a windshield cover, towel, or cardboard over the glass before parking at night.
- This will block frost and ice from forming, making your morning routine hassle-free.
5. Use Vinegar as a Preventative Solution
To stop ice from forming in the first place:
- Mix three parts vinegar with one part water.
- Spray it on your windshield the night before to prevent frost buildup.
6. Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Never use boiling water – it can shatter your windshield.
- Avoid metal scrapers, as they can scratch the glass.
- Don’t pour salt on the windshield, as it can damage the glass and car paint.
By using these simple tricks, you can quickly defrost your windshield and get on with your day without unnecessary delays. Try these hacks and enjoy a stress-free winter morning!