By When you’re in a rush to leave, it can be frustrating to see your car covered in a layer of frost, snow or ice. The last thing you want to do is spend precious minutes (especially in dangerously cold temperatures) getting the glass clean so you can drive off. Thankfully experts say there are ways to speed up the process. Below you’ll find the proper steps to defrost your windshield, plus tricks to avoid dealing with the hassle in the first place.
Why windshields frost over
“As the temperature decreases, the moisture in the warmer air is released, leading to condensation,” explains Thomas Patterson, director of new product development and technical training, Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company. “This process is responsible for forming water droplets on your windshield, or in colder conditions, moisture transformation into ice.” And that’s what leaves you scrounging on a busy morning.
How to defrost your windshield quickly
These simple solutions will clear up your windshield in (almost) no time:
1. Get your defroster going
Before you even begin tackling any ice on the glass, you’ll want to turn on your car. “Set it to blow warm air at the highest setting onto the windshield,” says Joe Giranda, car expert at CFR Classic. “The warm air will gradually heat the glass and loosen the frost or ice, making it easier to remove.” It’s also smart to turn on your rear defroster if you have one because it’s specifically designed to tackle the icy stuff on the back window.
2. Use a good scraper
The most effective solution is to use a high-quality scraper with a brush. “Look for one that has an extendable arm so you can brush snow off the roof and hood,” advises Patterson. “Don’t skimp on quality; ensure the handle is rigid and won’t break when scraping away ice.” No ice scraper? Improvise with something flat!
Then you can start scraping by starting at the top of the windshield and working your way down. “This ensures you’re not spreading the frost around unnecessarily,” adds Giranda.
3. Try a de-icer
After a winter storm or on a particularly cold day, a scraper alone may not be enough to get the glass clear. In this case, a de-icer is necessary—but you don’t have to only use a store-bought solution.
Victor Botnari, owner of Universal Motorcars, recommends a homemade deicing solution: two parts rubbing alcohol to one part water, or a spray bottle of water with ¼ cup of sidewalk salt or 1 cup of table salt. The rubbing alcohol solution is also ideal to keep in the car for on-the-go use because the freeze point of rubbing alcohol is so low (-128°F).
“Spritz this onto the icy areas, and you’ll notice the ice softening almost instantly, making it much easier to scrape away,” says Giranda.
See how well it works in the video below:
Alternative methods to defrost a windshield
If you’re short on supplies or the cold air is making it tough to scrape your car’s windshield for long periods of time, try one of these other approaches:
Plastic bag with lukewarm water
You may have also seen the viral hack of putting water into a sandwich bag before sealing it and dragging the bag slowly across the face of the window. Experts say it’s a safe hack, just make sure the water is lukewarm.
@itsnicolejaques All you need to do is fill a bag with WARM water when the weather’s caused your car to ice over and then rub it over your windshield and in seconds you’ll be ready to go. Even better, you’ll keep your hands nice and toasty while you’re doing it. NEVER pour hot or warm water directly into you windshield as it’ll crack but the warm baggie trick works in 30 seconds where you can wait quite a while for the defroster in the car. Not recommended for under 0*z #lifehacks #lifetricks #defrosT #carhacks
Patterson adds that while technically you could use a bag or bottle of hot water from the interior, he recommends against it because “it may not provide uniform coverage and could lead to uneven melting.” Plus, adds Botnari, it’ll take a lot longer than any other method.
You can also try pouring lukewarm water on your windshield to get the job done. It will warm up the ice, turning it into slush that can be removed by your windshield wipers. Just make sure it’s not too hot or cold—for reasons we get into below.
Heat and A/C combo
This method allows you to stay inside your car and defrost it while barely having to lift a finger! Follow these steps from Patterson:
- Start your engine and turn on the heater to the maximum setting to absorb excess moisture with hot air.
- Activate the A/C button. “It’s a neat trick to dry out the air faster, thanks to your air conditioner’s coils,” he explains.
- Turn off air recirculation on your A/C to balance humidity levels in the vehicle’s interior. “This helps you dodge condensation, fog and icy windows,” says Patterson.
- Crack your windows to exchange humid air with dryer outside air.
To speed it up even more? Position your visors down! Hear why this is helpful in the TikTok below:
@saraedeutsch Teen drivers need to know this! Frozen windshield are about to be a thing with all the cold and snow #winter #buffalosnowstorm #winterweather #snow #teendriver
What not to do when defrosting your windshield
Before tackling how to defrost your windshield fast, it’s important to tackle the one thing you probably want to do but should avoid at all costs: pouring hot or cold water on it. “Hot water can cause thermal stress and cracking,” Patterson warns. “Cold water will likely not effectively melt the ice and could cause further issues.”
Also smart to avoid: Using sharp objects to scrape it off. It might crack or get under the ice, but it’s also highly likely that they’ll scratch the windshield.
How to prevent ice and frost buildup
One of the easiest ways to avoid the morning rush is to keep your car from getting covered in ice and frost in the first place. Try any of these clever expert solutions:
Use a windshield cover: The #1 recommendation of Botnari is to use a car cover, which shields your vehicle from the elements. They’re fairly inexpensive, but if it’s still not in the budget or you’re feeling thrifty, consider alternatives such as a towel, a tarp or even a piece of cardboard.
Protect wiper blades: “Make sure your wiper blades stay clean by lifting them every time you park outside in the colder climate,” Patterson advises. “That way, after you spray the ice off the window, your wiper blades are free of ice and ready to do their job.” You can accomplish the same result by putting stockings or knee-high socks over them too.
Pre-spray the de-icer: Spray de-icer on your windshield the night before—any of the above recipes will do.
Park smart: “Parking your car facing east is another handy trick,” suggests Giranda. “The morning sun can naturally help melt any frost, saving you time and effort.”
