DRIVERS can clear their windscreen of frost and ice this winter in just seconds with a quick squeeze of an essential item that can cost as little as 59p.
Hand sanitiser, a staple of every glove compartment, handbag or backpack, especially since the pandemic, is a useful and, perhaps, unexpected tool for clearing frosty car windows.
Sanitisers contain alcohol such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, which is great for lowering water’s freezing point and breaking the bond between frost and glass.
And according to the AA, on a frosty morning with a thin layer of ice, a small amount of sanitiser, diluted in water and applied to the windscreen, can help loosen the frost in seconds – then allowing you to clear it cleanly with a plastic scraper.
However, it works best on light frost rather than thick, hard ice.
If the windscreen is heavily iced or covered in snow, then first make sure to clear the bulk with a soft brush, then use the sanitiser to loosen what remains.
Pure isopropyl alcohol mixed with water, roughly two parts alcohol to one part water in a spray bottle, is a classic DIY approach.
But if you’re using the more-common gel hand sanitiser, you can thin it with water so it can be sprayed or spread evenly.
Apply sparingly to the glass, wait a few moments for the frost to turn slushy and scrape until the windscreen and windows are clear.
Gels can leave streaks though, so make sure to give it a quick wipe with a clean, lint‑free cloth to keep visibility sharp.
As with any not-for-purpose product, it’s important to keep the solution to glass surfaces and avoid overspray on paint, plastics and rubber trims – making sure to wipe any drips promptly.
And do not rely on wipers to grind through ice, as that can tear the rubber or strain the motor, and always ensure the wipers are off before you start.
Furthermore, alcohol is flammable, so store any mix safely and keep it away from flames and hot surfaces.
If the windscreen is chipped or cracked, avoid aggressive temperature or chemical changes and stick to gentle scraping.
This comes as drivers were given the unusual advice of rubbing an onion on your car before frost is due to set in, instead of fighting ice with a scraper or waiting for the kettle to boil.
With weather maps showing cold temperatures well below freezing spreading across the UK, there’s no better time to try this DIY hack.
