With temperatures forecast to fall well below freezing this weekend, frosty mornings are likely to be a challenge for drivers across the UK.
Waking up to find your windscreen blanketed in a thick layers of ice can cause delays to getting out on the road. While many of us resort to the spray and scrape method using a chemical deicer, there are alternative ways to remove ice or better still, prevent it from settling in the first place.
The experts at Windscreen Wipers have shared a rather unusual way to keep ice at bay, using a common place item that costs as little as 12p a pop. According to their expertise, the humble onion could be everything you need to create a protective barrier on your windscreen.
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They say: “This easy trick involves cutting an onion in half and rubbing the cut side across the exterior of your windscreen the night before a predicted freeze. The natural oils and compounds in onions create a protective barrier on the glass, preventing frost from forming overnight.”
Cut up an onion and rub it on your windscreen
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While it may sound unconventional, the science behind the method is simple. Onions contain natural antifreeze-like properties that lower the freezing point of water, making it harder for frost to adhere to the surface.
Not only does this hack save time in the morning by eliminating the need for de-icing, but it also reduces the risk of accidental damage to your windscreen that can come from scraping. However, it’s advisable to rinse your windscreen after using the onion to remove any residue that could attract dirt or leave a lingering smell.
With a single onion in sale in Asda for a s little as just 12p each, this hack is an inexpensive game changer.
According to the experts, other tried and tested methods include:
Spraying white vinegar
You’ll probably have some tucked away at the back of your kitchen cupboard, but white vinegar works wonders when it comes to preventing your windscreen from icing up. The experts say “Simply combine 125 ml of white vinegar with 375 ml of water in a 500 ml spray bottle.
“Spray the mixture on your windshield the night before the temperature drops, or in the morning to help melt any existing ice. The acetic acid in the vinegar helps lower the freezing point of water, making it harder for ice to form.”
A windscreen cover can help to prevent a build up of ice and snow
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Cover the windscreen to protect the glass
If you don’t want to pay out for a dedicated windscreen cover then an old rubber bathmat or folded sheet can work just as well. Simply lay it over your windscreen and secure it with your wipers so that it doesn’t get blown away overnight.
The experts added: “You can also use carrier bags with rubber bands to protect your side mirrors from freezing. Come morning, simply remove and stash them away.”
Coating wiper blades in rubbing alcohol
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.
To protect your wiper blades, coat them with rubbing alcohol. As rubbing alcohol also has a lower freezing point than water, this hack will also help prevent freezing to ensure that it remains flexible and functional the next morning.
The experts also recommend exercising caution when relying on online advice, noting that some popular tips such as pouring hot water on a frozen windscreen, can cause more harm than good.
Instead, proven strategies like applying frost-resistant sprays, covering the windscreen, rubbing an onion or parking in sheltered areas are safer options for protecting your vehicle from icy conditions.