Keep windscreens ice-free with one household item that works overnight (Image: Getty)
Frost on car windscreens is unavoidable during a spell of when temperatures drop below freezing.
Moisture in the air condenses when the temperature reaches zero degrees celsius and can condense on your car’s surface, freezing and creating a layer of frost.
This frost can make your windshield almost opaque, leaving it impossible for your without spending some time de-icing it.
Clearing a frozen windscreen can be laborious, especially when running late in the morning. But it doesn’t have to be if you have one item in your kitchen cupboard.
According to the experts at , white vinegar “works wonders” for this. Not only will it de-ice a frosty car, but if used correctly, it will also prevent it from happening.
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White vinegar could be a saviour for those who need to use their car early in the morning (Image: Getty)
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The car experts said: “Simply combine 125ml of white vinegar with 375ml of water in a 500ml spray bottle.”
Using this powerful yet gentle concoction on your windscreen couldn’t be easier. Just spritz it all over the windshield the night before the temperature drops – or in the morning to help melt any existing ice.
As for why it works, the Windscreen Wipers team said: “The acetic acid in the vinegar helps lower the freezing point of water, making it harder for ice to form.”
White vinegar isn’t the only household staple you can use as a substitute for purpose-made de-icing products. A raw onion also does the trick.
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A protective windscreen cover can prevent a frosty windscreen (Image: Getty)
Described as a “cheap” method by car experts, a raw onion can be cut in half and rubbed all over the exterior of your windscreen the “night before a big freeze”, according to the Windscreen Wipers team.
They added, “While this may sound unconventional, the natural oils in the onion are great for creating a protective coating on the glass, preventing frost from forming and saving you some time in the morning.”
Cutting onions can cause watery eyes, or you may not have a spare at home. In that case, an old rubber bathmat or folded sheet could be the answer.
You can just lay it over your windscreen and secure it with your wipers so that it doesn’t get blown away overnight.
Alternatively, you can use carrier bags with rubber bands to protect your side mirrors from freezing. Come morning, remove and stash them away – job done.
The car professionals warned: “It’s easy to be focused solely on the frost on your windscreen during the winter months, but don’t forget that wiper blades are also at risk of freezing! Frozen wiper blades can’t clear your windscreen properly, leading to poor visibility, which is especially dangerous in icy conditions. For this reason, it’s essential to also prevent blades from freezing.”
Rubbing alcohol is a quick fix to prevent this. As rubbing alcohol has a lower freezing point than water, coating the wipers with an undiluted solution works a treat to ensure wipers are flexible and functional the next morning.