Few things are as annoying as rushing out the door trying to make it to work on time only to find that hefty layer of ice coating your windshield. Normally, an ice scraper will make quick work of the problem – but what happens if you don’t have one? At Kirmac Collision & Autoglass, our mission is to help drivers everywhere keep their cars safe and get back on the road quickly after an accident with quick, convenient auto body repair services. But we also strive to help you prevent auto damage in the first place. With that in mind, here are 5 alternatives to an ice scraper that are safe for your windshield.
5 Ways to De-Ice Your Windshield Without An Ice Scraper
Need to clear ice from your windshield without the help of an ice scraper? These 5 alternatives make it easy to get moving without damaging your windshield:
- Vinegar & Water: While this isn’t helpful for ice that’s already formed, one way to approach the problem is to prevent ice buildup in the first place. Vinegar’s acidity can prevent ice from forming, so spraying your windshield with a 3:1 solution of apple cider vinegar and water before you go inside will keep your windshield ice-free when you need it.
- Defrost: Of course, the absolute safest way to de-ice your windshield is to trust your vehicle’s handy built-in de-icing function. Just make sure to use a low or medium setting on the defroster and allow 15-20 minutes for the ice to melt, as cranking it all the way can trigger a sudden temperature change that can crack your windshield. Just make sure to remember to head outside and turn your car on with enough time before you need to leave.
- Salt & Water: Municipal governments spread ice on city sidewalks and streets to prevent ice from forming, and you can take advantage of this effect as well. Spraying a solution made from a tablespoon of salt in two cups of room temperature water directly onto the ice will thaw the ice within a few minutes.
- Rubbing Alcohol & Water: Rubbing alcohol is a great way to quickly melt ice build-up from your windshield in a pinch. Mix and spray a 2:1 solution of rubbing alcohol and room temperature water onto the ice and it should melt fully within two minutes. After that, run your windshield wipers to clear the sludgy melt and off you go!
- The Credit Card Method: Finally, if there’s only a minimal amount of ice buildup on your windshield, you can always use the edge of a credit card to scrape it off. While this won’t work for more serious icing, it’s a handy tip if ice is thin and you need to be somewhere fast!
Contact Your Autobody & Autoglass Repair Experts
Of course, all of these methods work best if your windshield is clean and free of damage. Some chemicals like vinegar can actually further damage a windshield if there are chips or cracks. If you’ve been driving with windshield damage that you know you need to fix, don’t let another day pass where you aren’t 100% safe on the roads. Kirmac makes it easy and fast to repair windshield, paint, and other collision damage: schedule an appointment online today!
