It’s the dead of winter and you’re already running late for an appointment. Suddenly, another hurdle presents itself: Your car’s windshield is covered in ice. Anyone who lives in a place with freezing weather knows just how annoying it is to deal with icy windshields. Cranking up the heat and letting it run is one…
The Solution
Though this hack certainly feels magical, it’s actually just simple science. Take a plastic Ziploc bag and fill it with warm water. (The more leakproof the bag, the better.) Then go out to your car and softly wipe the water-filled bag against the windshield. The warmth from the bag should melt the frost quickly, and you’ll be ready to drive in no time. Even better, the bag should keep your hands warm and toasty. Once the frost is gone, use a squeegee or the windshield wipers to get rid of any leftover moisture.
We can’t stress this enough: Never pour hot water directly onto the windshield itself, as doing so may crack the windshield. Always err on the side of caution and apply indirect heat instead.
Other Helpful Tips
Bags full of warm water aren’t the only defrosting hack. Salt is yet another handy tool for defrosting windows, as it has a lower freezing point than water and can quickly dissolve ice. We suggest grabbing a spray bottle and filling it with a mix of warm water and one cup of table salt or a quarter-cup of ice melt. Then use the bottle to spray down the windshield to remove the frost. Avoid spraying any of the car’s metal components, as the salt may corrode them.
You can also take preventative measures to keep frost from forming at all. When the forecast calls for snow, spread a large piece of cardboard or a spare towel over the windshield. When the storm passes, simply remove the cardboard or towel and your windshield should be ice-free.
