Winter is approaching and there is an unmistakable cold in the air, which can only mean one thing: it’s time to google “how to quickly defrost your windshield”.
Several quick and effective tricks have been discovered over the years, but this one has gained a lot of popularity on various social media platforms in the past week.
Originally shared by the TikTok user, Andrew Hustonthe trick involves using the plastic food bag and hot water.
How to defrost a car windshield with hot water and a food bag
All you have to do, when the weather has frozen the windshield, is fill a bag with hot tap water and then rub it on the glass of your car, the heat of the water in the bag will help defrost the windshield and in seconds you will be ready to go.
This trick is also much more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than leaving the car running. Plus the bag is perfectly reusable for other ice days.
People who have successfully used the trick claim that the windshield refreezes, so it’s better do it immediately before leaving.
A video shared on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group got over 6,700 likes in the first 24 hours since it was posted.
Thousands of people have commented on the video so far, and many said they tried the trick and it worked well for them too.
But is it okay to use hot water to defrost a windshield?
You need to make sure the water is hot and NOT hot, otherwise you may end up shattering the windshield.
Hot water can cause cracks to appear on the windshield due to the sudden change in temperature. If you use boiling water on a very cold day, the glass could also shatter, leaving you with a very expensive repair bill, and all for a few minutes.
And don’t pour hot water directly onto the glass, otherwise you run the risk of damaging the paint when the water runs off and melting the protective wax layer on the paint leaving a white watermark spot, which can be difficult to remove.
How to prevent windshield frost at night
One more tip to stop winter stress before driving with this simple trick. Soak an old towel in a solution of water and table salt and then place it over your car windows the night before. As the salt lowers the freezing point of the water, the moisture will be blocked by the frosting on the screen.
You can also make an antifreeze solution by mixing one part of water with two parts of alcohol.
So, it’s finally time to ditch the annoying ice scraper. Try it the next frosty morning and see for yourself.
