Homemade Windshield De-Icer

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Did you know you can make a homemade windshield de-icer? Just three simple ingredients (that you probably already have on hand) combined in a spray bottle and you’ve got yourself a homemade windshield de-icer.

Yesterday morning when I went to warm up my car before heading out the door to work, I found my car doors frozen shut. The day before we received a gift from mother nature in the form of four inches of snow. I love the snow! Ice, not so much.

By the way, do you know car doors get frozen shut? Some people think it’s related to seal failure. But, really it’s just a matter of condensation displacement and, I think, thermodynamics at play. (I’m by no means the science expert.) My car was nice and warm from my drive home from work. The temperature outside was dropping and as the warm air inside my car cooled down, the displaced moisture or condensation began to freeze. The best way, from what I understand, to discourage water from sticking around and later becoming ice is to displace or discourage the moisture from hanging around in the first place. What my husband recommends is using a silicone based grease or spray around the seals and locks.

I’m really fortunate that I don’t have to deal with this stuff because my husband takes care of it. I just like knowing how to take care of it and what to do if he’s not around to fix it for me. We also take opportunities like this to educate our children. I wasn’t the only one whose car doors were frozen shut yesterday morning. Dad to the rescue!

This homemade de-icer works just about like magic. There are two versions of this recipe that I’ve found around the web. The first version works pretty well and it contains isopropyl alcohol and water (at a ration of 1/3 water to 2/3 isopropyl alcohol). However, the second version (and the one I recommend) works amazing well and includes the addition of one of my most favorite household ingredients: Dawn Dish Soap (Well, any brand of dish soap will work. I just prefer Dawn.)

This post contains affiliate links to products that might help you with this project. You can read my full disclosure here. 

Homemade Windshield De-Icer

Supplies:

• Spray Bottle
• 70% (or higher) Isopropyl Alcohol
• Dawn Dish Soap (or any dish soap)
• Water

Instructions:

Fill a spray bottle 1/3 of the way with water. Add a few drops of dish soap. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with 70% (or higher) isopropyl alcohol. Shake the bottle to mix. Spray liberally on your windshield. Within seconds, the ice will start to melt away. It helps to turn your windshield wipers on so they can cycle back and forth a couple of times, too.

What to do if your car door or locks are frozen? Well, this homemade de-icer works on car doors and locks, as well. Just spray this de-icer on your door and door lock before inserting your key. You’ll be on your way before you know it!

Homemade Ice Preventative

As a preventative, I read that you can simply mix 3 parts white vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle. Then you spray this mixture on your car’s windshield and side view mirrors before going to bed at night. I haven’t tried this, but I thought I’d give it a try since it’s supposed to be really cold (single digits without the windchill) the next few days here in Ohio.

Speaking of ice prevention, have you ever had your washer fluid lines freeze up? You can help prevent your washer fluid lines from freezing up by adding isopropyl alcohol to your washer fluid reservoir. You’ll want to use a 50/50 mixture of alcohol to washer fluid.

Since the weather is supposed to get even colder the next few days, I thought you might like to give this homemade windshield de-icer a try. You know what? This just might make a nice little Christmas gift or stocking stuffer as well!

If you give this homemade windshield de-icer a try, let me know how it works for you. I think you’re gonna be amazed! Do you have other wintertime tips? I’d love to hear about them!

Whatever the weather is like in your neck of the woods, I hope it is merry and bright!

Til next time…

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