The Best Way To Clear a Frozen Windscreen in UK Winter

It's that time again in the UK for the temperatures to fall massively with icy conditions. Here are the best ways to clear a frozen windscreen on your car.

Cold weather often brings the challenge of icy windshields, especially during frosty mornings. Dealing with this can be a cumbersome start to your day and make you late for work or other appointments.

However, with a few practical strategies, managing icy windshields can become less of a hassle, ensuring a smoother morning routine and less time panicking.

Strategies to Manage Icy Windshields

De-Icer Spray

Commercial de-icing solutions or a DIY mix of rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle can effectively melt the ice on windshields by lowering the freezing point of water.

You can get de-icer spray from most supermarkets and fuel stations. You're looking at around £3.50 for a 500ml bottle. These usually sell out during icy weather as everyone rushes to buy some, so make sure you buy some before the icy weather actually starts.

Scraping the Ice

Gently using an ice scraper or plastic spatula to remove the ice is crucial to avoid damaging the windshield. Start from the edges and work towards the centre to safely clear the ice.

Warm Tap Water

Using lukewarm water can melt the ice, but it's essential to avoid boiling hot water to prevent the risk of glass cracking due to sudden temperature changes.

The easiest way to do this would just to use hot tap water and not boiling kettle water. Contrary to popular belief, warm tap water does not break or damage your windscreen but boiling 100c kettle water might.

Windshield Cover

Covering the windshield the night before with a designated windshield cover or a large piece of cardboard acts as a protective barrier, minimising ice formation.

You can buy a windshield cover from most supermarkets and fuel stations for around £3 to £10 depending on the size.

Defroster/Heating Usage

Turning on the car's defroster and allowing it to warm up the windshield effectively melts the ice, making it easier to remove. This will take a while though as the car has to heat up first before warm air will be expelled from the vents.

Some cars like Ford-branded vehicles have a built-in heated windshield that melts ice. If you're lucky enough to have this, just tap the button and wait for a couple of minutes while the ice melts.

For a list of what vehicles use built-in heated windscreen technology, please visit this article we wrote.

Planning Ahead for Parking

Parking the car in a garage or covering it with a tarp when possible helps prevent or reduce ice formation on the windshield.

Conclusion

Managing icy windshields during cold weather requires a proactive approach. By employing these strategies, from utilising de-icer sprays and defrosters to covering windshields overnight, you can tackle icy windshields more efficiently, ensuring a smoother start to your day even in frosty conditions.

If you need more advice for winter driving, visit our Driving in Wintry Conditions article or our Winter Essential Accessories article.

We also have an article for Safe Driving during Wintry Nights, as the nights go darker earlier which can cause issues for those who struggle to drive at night.