6 top methods to defrost car windscreen safely in seconds
Morning commuters have faced a challenging week grappling with the tiresome chore of clearing frost from their car windscreens before the work run - and conditions are set to deteriorate for certain counties with Storm Goretti's arrival.Whilst you may be inclined to grab the kettle immediately, this should be avoided, as boiling water can readily shatter your windscreen when frozen, due to the abrupt temperature shift.Some motorists will also fire up their engines and leave vehicles idling whilst retreating indoors to warm themselves. Whilst this might appear innocent, such behaviour can result in severe penalties, with fines between €1,000 and €2,000, and potentially up to three months' imprisonment if apprehended by the Gardai.It also creates a convenient opening for opportunistic criminals seeking to nick cars.Nevertheless, there are additional expert tips and techniques from online sources to defrost windscreens, enabling you to get moving swiftly and effectively on time, reports RSVP Live.Here are six viral defrosting methods that will spare you considerable time in the morning:.1. Ziplock bag hack.This viral life hack originates from a well-known TikTok account, @CleanwithKayleigh, where she records herself filling a Ziplock bag with warm water. She then glides the bag over her windscreen to dissolve the ice.She captioned the video: "Defrost your car quickly on those frosty mornings with this simple hack. No need for boiling water! It works using warm tap water."2. Bottle brushA UK mum has shared a handy tip on Facebook. Angela Hickling discovered that all she needs is an empty stain-remover bottle - she uses a carpet cleaner with the scrubber at the end - which acts as a 'scraper' for the car. She simply fills the bottle with lukewarm water and then sweeps the brush head over the windscreen and any other frosty windows.The ice, she asserts, will melt in mere seconds.3. Lesser-known car buttonsIf you're caught short without any Ziploc bags or bottles, you can utilise the car to defrost itself. It might take a tad longer than the other methods, but car experts vouch for it.Driving Test Success suggests that merely activating your car's windscreen fan will warm up the glass from the inside and assist in melting the frost away.4. Demist to defrostAnother trick endorsed by Clear View Driving, a driving school, is to use your demister before you commence driving. They cautioned against using the windscreen wipers, as the blades can be damaged if they move when frozen or scrape over an icy windscreen.Just sit back and let your demister do its job. Don't forget to switch on the rear one too, as it will heat up your side mirrors in newer cars.5. Hot drop for the lockCars with manual locks can be susceptible to the lock freezing over during the night, and numerous drivers have damaged their door seals by attempting to force them open. A solution is to pour a bit of warm water onto your car key to swiftly melt any ice that has formed within the lock.6. Traditional de-icer and scraperThe AA advises car owners to keep a de-icer and a scraper at the ready each morning. If you possess a spray de-icer, they suggest spraying only the top of your windows, letting the solution melt the ice as it trickles down.Following up with an ice scraper accelerates the process, enabling you to hit the road even quicker.Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
