How to defrost your windshield?

How to defrost your windshield?

Snow, ice and cold, winter brings its share of challenges, including defrosting the windshield and car windows. Here, it’s winter 6 months a year, so believe me, I defrost and « scratch » the car windows very often!

Here are my top tips and tricks for quickly and easily defrosting a car windshield this winter.

1. Start the car to defrost the inside of the windshield

A first effective solution and above all without physical effort is to defrost it from the inside… Yes, but how? Very simple:

1. Start the car and activate the heater in outside air mode.
2. Also operate the heated rear window and door mirrors.
3. Direct the hatches as much as possible towards the windows and the windshield of the car.

Depending on the amount of frost and/or ice on the windshield, it will take about ten minutes to properly defrost all the windows of the car.

2. Cover the windshield at night to prevent frost

Personally, I don’t find it very ecological to run your car simply to defrost your windshield, so here is a simple and ecological tip to prevent frost from forming on your windshield overnight.

I do not recommend this tip for the Quebec population, because there is a lot of snow, wind and cold in winter, however for other regions, it is a great anti-frost trick to test!

1. Lay a large piece of cardboard, a blanket or a thick sheet on the windshield.
2. Leave it in place all night and the next morning simply remove it.

Of course, if it is very cold, the wind is blowing hard and there is rain or snow, then it is better to use a tarp specially designed to cover a windshield. A bit like this product:

3. A grandmother’s trick to defrost your windshield naturally

If you like to test grandmother’s tricks then here is one to do yourself and spray on your windshield:

1. Pour into a spray bottle 1 cup of water.
2. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar and mix the solution well.
3. Spray the solution directly on the windshield in the evening to prevent frost in the morning.

Repeat this trick every cool night to prevent or rather reduce the formation of frost on the car.

4. An alcohol-based anti-icing trick for the car

Another grandma’s trick that I personally tested a few times last winter to defrost a windshield is alcohol-based. Here’s how to do this trick:

1. Mix in a bottle 1 cup of water with 1/2 cup of alcohol at 90°.
2. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap and mix well.
3. Spray the solution directly on the windshield and other car windows.

We find on various sites and forums something with salt, but personally I do not recommend it! The salt does help defrost the windshield, but it can also damage the bodywork if you’re not careful.

5. What not to do to defrost a windshield this winter

Finally, here are some actions and habits to forget so as not to damage your windshield and your car this winter.

NEVER USE HOT WATER!

In fact, you absolutely must not use hot water to defrost and deglaze a car windshield… EVER! I know the idea is tempting, but if you pour hot water on a very cold windshield you risk making it burst or rather it risks cracking because of the thermal shock.

Be careful with the scraper or the snow brush!

Whether with a snow brush or a frost scraper, it is important to be careful and not to hit the glass. As the windshield is frosted and therefore very cold, too strong a blow could cause it to crack.

Don’t run your windshield wipers!

Finally, it is important never to operate your windshield wipers until the windshield is completely defrosted. I have personally run my wipers while it was snowing and unfortunately I broke the wiper motor.