3 Fool-Proof Ways to Defrost Your Windshield

If you’re like me, you dread the thought of having to defrost your windshield even more than driving on slippery roads. Putting on several winter layers while removing frozen sleet, rain, and snow is the last thing I have time for before my Monday-morning commute. However, there are a few useful techniques that are much more effective than simply using a scraper or defroster. Here are three fool-proof hacks to defrost your windshield: 

Spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and water

Instead of wasting gas by leaving your car running for several minutes, meteorologist Ken Weathers developed a much simpler solution. Mix 1/3 water with 2/3 rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle, and simple spray the windshield. As Weathers describes here, “rubbing alcohol has a freezing point of 128 degrees below freezing.”  This means that the solution won’t freeze when you store it in your car, and the rubbing alcohol will defrost your windshield within seconds. Though some may be worried about rubbing alcohol on glass and paint, Weathers said that it wouldn’t be enough to cause damage, and you can always wipe the windows afterwards with a cloth.

Cover your windshield using tarp or a blanket

An often overlooked solution to a frosted windshield is simply to prevent ice from building up in the first place. If you have an old blanket or tarp handy, use this to cover the entire windshield. You can use bungee straps or rope to secure it. This method works best when there is not heavy snowfall. However, simply removing and shaking off the tarp may save you just enough time to beat morning traffic.

Invest in a de-icer spray

Though this solution is not one you simply make at home, sometimes it is easier to make a small investment in something you know will work. At any local hardware store, or Amazon, you can find various de-icer sprays.  Prices vary, but this number one selling product on amazon is said to “melt, ice, snow, and frost on contact.” For $6, that sounds like a bargain.

For all weather conditions, don’t forget about protection from door-dents when parking too.  Removable car door guards will save you hundreds of dollars spent of pesky door dings.  To maintain a dentless and new looking vehicle, DentGoalie.com offers a quality product, and was recently featured by AAA.  DentGoalie car door guards are flexible door ding protection panels, applied when parking, with a patent-pending design delivering very broad protection.  Made of high density impact resistant EVA foam with rubber coated magnetic strips, and a security cable to deter theft of the panels.  Two sizes are available and these car door panels are universal for use on all vehicles.