8 Household items that can be used for Windscreen care

It’s no secret that looking after your windscreen can sometimes be a pain. Especially in the winter months.. In this post we’ve decided to do something a little different and explore some of the unorthodox household items that you might be surprised to learn, double as helpful tools for windscreen care.

1 – White vinegar – frost prevention, de-icing, cleaning greasy glass

White vinegar can be a wonderful preventative tool against your windscreen icing-over. In fact, during cold spells we advise that you spray your windscreen with a vinegar solution every evening. Mix three parts vinegar and one part water into a spray bottle and apply liberally, then wipe the windscreen clean or use your windscreen wipers. This solution is also effective at removing grease. Simply spray on the affected area, wait for a few minutes then wipe clean.

2 – Kitty litter – de-misting

This one might feel a little bit unusual but hear us out for a minute. The idea is that the litter will absorb the moisture in your car and help to avoid your car fogging up. There’s an easy method to best use cat litter when demisting your car. Simply fill a sock full of cat litter and leave it in your car overnight. Use two if you have a particularly large windscreen. You may be surprised to find just how well this unusual method helps with foggy windscreens.

Tips for Avoiding Windscreen Damage While Driving >>

3 – Shaving cream – de-fogging

Shaving cream is another household item that you might find handy when dealing with a foggy windscreen. The secret to preventing a foggy windscreen setting in overnight is to apply a small amount of shaving cream on the windscreen and then simply wipe away. The shaving cream creates a protective film over the glass, keeping the condensation and cloudiness from forming on the glass in the first place. No more waiting for your car to demist on wintery mornings.

4 – WD40 – Bugsplatter removal

WD-40 has many uses around the house but you might be surprised to learn that it can even have a role to play in windscreen care. More specifically, WD-40 is excellent at removing bugsplatter from your windscreen.

The secret to using your WD-40 to remove bugsplatter is knowing that it is not a one time application. In fact, the key is to integrate WD-40 into your usual car washing routine.

First, thoroughly wash your car with soap and water as usual to remove any bugs that have not become completely stuck to your windscreen already..

Once you have cleaned your car glass with soapy water, apply WD-40 to any remaining bugsplats and leave it to settle for a few minutes. You will see the WD-40 begin to dissolve and break down any bugsplats that remain. Then, simply use a cloth to wipe away the WD-40 and bug splatter.

You may wish to wash your car a second time once the WD-40 is removed in order to wipe away any remaining bugsplat residue from your windscreen.

Windscreen Scratch Removal – Our how to guide >>

5 – Rubbing alcohol – squeak proof wipers, removing tree sap

There are few things more irritating than a streaky windscreen. But you may not realise just how effective rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes are for dealing with streaks on your car glass. The secret is to apply some alcohol to your windscreen wipers rather than directly to your windscreen. You can use alcohol wipes, or even just a wet piece of paper towel covered with a small amount of hot, soapy water mixed with rubbing alcohol. All you have to do is thoroughly clean your wiper blades with the wipes or paper towel until the wipes/towel begin to come away clean. It may take a few paper towels until your blades are spotless but we think you’ll agree it is worth it once you are rid of those pesky streaks on your windscreen.

6 – Newspaper – cleaning

Newspaper is a particularly handy household item to use when cleaning your windscreen. It is cheap and easy to get your hands on as well as being surprisingly effective. First, wet your windscreen with water or, ideally, a mixture of water and white vinegar. Once you’ve done that, you just have to crumple up some newspaper into balls and rub it firmly over your windscreen glass in circular motions. Hey presto! Any streaks or marks or stains on your windscreen just fade leaving your car glass looking good as new.

7 Unexpected Ways You’re Damaging Your Windscreen >>

7 – Ice – tar removal, chewing gum removal

Some inconsiderate individual after leaving a ball of chewing gum on your windscreen? Not to worry! There is a surprising remedy – ice. That’s right, Ice! We spend plenty of time talking about how to remove ice from your windscreen so you may be surprised that ice can actually be a helpful tool for windscreen care in its own right. Wrap some ice cubes in a tea towel and leave it on top of the gum for about 20 minutes or so. The ice will freeze and harden the gum to the point that you should be able to pop it off with minimal fuss.

8 – Lemon juice – water spot removal

Finally, we’ll close on perhaps the handiest household item for removing stubborn water stains on your windscreen – lemon. Just grab a lemon out of your fruit bowl, slice it in half and rub the halved lemon on the water stains. The citric acid in the lemon should cut right through the water stains leaving you able to wipe them off with minimal elbow grease.

 

Now, with the help of some common items you’re sure to find at home, you should be well able to deal with any windscreen care dramas you encounter over the coming months. Be sure to check back with the Autoglass® blog soon for more guides, explainers and tips just like these. Safe travels.