Clear Frost From Car Windows

One of the less fun things about winter is having to drive in it. Going out in the morning to find that you can't see into (or out of) your car windows is even less fun. It's just added to the time it's going to take you to get anywhere and it's going to make you either stand next to your car and scrape the windows or sit inside with your car and defroster running until you can see through them (blowing COLD air around until it starts to warm up).

Frost is pretty, but it's cold and not fun to remove. Here's a very quick, cheap, and easy way to get rid of it. (I cleared my windshield this morning in about 15 seconds.) It works best when the outside temperature is above 25°F. (-4°C.)

NOTE: Please keep in mind that this is a method of removing frost, not snow or ice, although it may work if it's not too cold and the ice or snow are thin enough.

Tools:

Empty milk jug (gallon or half gallon) One less in the landfill.

Squeegee (long-handled is better - available from auto parts stores or departments - or even Harbor Freight Tools)

Water - inside room-temperature (60-70°F , 15-21°C) works best, but you can use cold water right from the faucet. You just may need more of it.

Probably the best way to do this is to fill your jug the night before and leave it by the door you normally go out. That way you can grab it as you leave.

DO NOT USE HOT WATER!!! You can crack your windshield.

When you get to your car and find all that nasty frost on the windows, get in your car, start it up, and turn your windshield wipers on high (fast). Unless the frost is already melting, this won't do much good - maybe scrape a little off the surface, but your wipers will quickly wipe away the water you're about to pour on. Get back out of the car (or stand between the door and the opening) with both car and wipers running.

DO NOT LOCK YOUR DOORS - this will tend to make you very late for whatever you were planning to do.

Stand to the side (to keep your wipers from throwing freezing water on you) and pour the water over your windshield. The water will be warm enough to quickly melt the frost and warm up the windshield to prevent ice from forming before the wipers can remove it. If some ice does form, simply pour more water on. The third picture was taken about 15 seconds after the first one.

If side or rear windows are also frosty, you can use some water and the optional squeegee. Pour it on and quickly squeegee it off before it freezes. It also works on rear-view mirrors, but not as well as they are often recessed and the squeegee can't get to them very well. When enough frost is gone to see clearly, put the top on your water jug tightly and put it on the floor of your back seat or in the trunk and you're ready to leave. (Remember to take it back in the house when you get home.)

If your windshield has stone chips this method may start a crack. If you already have cracks, this method can
cause the glass to crack further - make an existing crack run very quickly. It doesn't always happen, but you are applying stresses to your window by suddenly changing its temperature.

I will not be responsible for cracked or broken windows - I've tried to warn you.