If you risk being late for work in the morning, the last thing you want to see is the car with the windows covered in ice. Driving with frozen glass can be dangerous, and removing ice with ice scrapers takes time, as well as poses a risk of scratching the glass. Fortunately this isn't the only option available. You can try removing the ice with one of these quick and easy methods. Read on to learn how.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Remove with Anti-Ice Liquid
Step 1. Purchase a special liquid or make your own anti-ice
Specific fluids are available at petrol stations and auto parts stores, especially in areas with severe winters. If you don't have any available or want to save on cost, it is not difficult to create the anti-ice liquid yourself, following these guidelines:
Pour some household cleaning alcohol into a clean spray container. Add a few drops of dish soap, close the container and shake to mix
Step 2. Spray the liquid on the glass
Whether it is a purchased or homemade product, the use is the same. Spray directly on the frozen parts, and leave for a minute or two. The more liquid you use, the faster the action will be.
Step 3. Scrape as usual
Use a plastic scraper, hands if you have gloves, or other tools to remove the ice quicker and easier than if it melts on its own, which saves time. If necessary, reapply the liquid on areas that are not completely clean, and continue with the scraping.
Alcohol for household cleaning only freezes if the temperature drops to about 30 ° below zero, so you can usually leave the bottle in the car without fear of it freezing
Method 2 of 4: Credit Card Removal
Step 1. Turn on the car heater and select the air you blow on the windshield
This emergency method works if you don't have hot water, ice liquid or ice-specific scrapers, for example if the glass has frozen while you were at work. Since you are trying to remove the ice with makeshift tools, it is best to use all the help you have available. Start the engine and run the heater to maximum, as doing so will make your job easier as the engine temperature rises.
Step 2. Look for a suitable plastic card
Look in your purse or dashboard drawers, and choose an old credit card or other card of equal stiffness. Be careful to use a tile that doesn't matter, as it is easy to get damaged.
Step 3. Start scraping the ice
Hold the tile at an angle to the glass, and press firmly. Try to keep the card stiff, preventing it from bending as you use it to scrape the ice.
- Continue with care! Scraping with a tile is much more challenging than using a scraper, and you will need to use a lot more force to get a satisfying result.
- If you worry about breaking the tile, you can double or triple by adding more tiles, to get more resistance and reduce the risk of them breaking and becoming useless.
Step 4. Use the wipers and windshield fluid to help you
As you remove the ice, debris will likely build up on the edges of the glass. At regular intervals, turn on the wiper for a few moments, and spray the liquid that can help remove residual ice. With the combined action of the various tools to your aid, you should get rid of the ice in minutes.
Method 3 of 4: Remove with a Heated Rice Bag or Sodium Acetate Hand Warmer
Step 1. Place the rice in an airtight bag and heat it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds
You may need to repeat this step to complete the job.
Step 2. While sitting in the driver's seat, pass the bag of rice all over the inside surface of the windshield
This will heat the glass, melting the ice.
- Sodium acetate hand warmers are also fine, and can always be kept in the car and used when needed. A small pressure activates the heat reaction, then the hand warmer can be "recharged" by boiling it in water.
- The advantage of this method, compared to scraping, is that it heats the glass and will therefore tend not to freeze again. Plus you won't have to stay out in the freezing weather preparing for departure.
Step 3. Be attentive and quick
Just as boiling water can crack a glass, holding a hot object against the windshield for too long can ruin it. Don't leave it on the same spot for too long, but only until the ice begins to melt. Moisture can be removed by operating the wipers and slightly lowering the windows.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Ice Formation
Step 1. Cover your windows overnight
An effective method of prevention involves preventing ice from forming on the glass by applying a sheet or cardboard to the glass in the evening, before the ice begins to settle.
You can use the wipers to hold the cloth in place. For other car windows, you can use rocks or other weights
Step 2. In the morning, remove the towel and be sure to dry it or store it with caution to place it on something waterproof, as it will certainly be very damp
Step 3. Remove any ice that may still be present on some points of the glass, using a plastic scraper, your hands or other tools
if you are in a hurry, you can use the windshield wipers and operate the heater together with the windshield fluid.
Advice
- If cold and ice is expected, lift the wipers off the windshield so that they do not block under the effect of ice.
- If the temperature approaches freezing, using the wipers and windshield cleaning fluid can speed up the melting of the ice. But be careful that in case of intense cold, spraying the liquid while driving can instead immediately give rise to a thin layer of ice on the windshield.
- Water at room temperature or cold tap water is very effective on even thick layers of ice. Pour from above and immediately start scraping off the ice with a scraper.
- Often the car's heating, even if directed towards the windshield, fails to reach the point where the windshield wipers are when at rest. An alternative to raising the wipers all the way is to remember to operate them by locking them a few centimeters from the limit stop, so that they defrost immediately the next morning.
- For thin ice, you can operate the car heater at the same time as the wipers, so that the wipers perform the scraping action.
- If you start the engine with the windshield still frozen, first make sure that the wipers are not activated, so as not to risk damaging them if they are welded to the glass by ice.
Warnings
- Never pour boiling water on frozen glass, because the sudden change in temperature can cause the glass to crack and break.
- Plastic tiles are easily broken or damaged when used to remove ice. Choose a card that is easy to replace, or keep an expired one on hand when needed.
- Do not use metal objects not dedicated to ice removal use, otherwise you may scratch the glass.
- Free the wipers from ice before operating them.
