Man discovers ‘best way’ to defrost car windscreen and ‘avoid damage’

The UK has been hit by freezing temperatures in recent weeks, and with two months of winter ahead, motorists are likely to be faced with the task of de-icing their car windows every morning. A car insurance expert from @roosterinsurance has shared a handy TikTok video explaining the dos and don’ts of defrosting your car windscreen.

The insurance expert explained that while many people reach for boiling water as a quick fix to melt ice, this is the one thing you shouldn’t do.

He explained: “Never pour boiling water down the windscreen unless you want to [it to crack].”

The insurance expert added: “Make sure you don’t use your windscreen wipers as they can be damaged if you switch them on while there is ice or snow on the windscreen.”

Instead, he shared a few different ways to defrost your car windshield without damaging the glass or windshield wipers.

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“One method is to make an alcohol and water solution and then spray on the windshield which will then get rid of the ice,” he explained. Mix a solution of one-third water and two-thirds isopropyl or rubbing alcohol together in a spray bottle.

The alcohol works because of its very low freezing point, which means it can act quickly to break up the ice. Spray the solution directly on the front and rear window and watch the ice melt.

The cock insurance expert continued: “If you take a bag full of hot water, make sure it’s hot and not boiling and rub it on the windscreen. It will take off a thin layer of ice or snow.”

Hot water is a much better option than pouring over boiling water, as it will not cause the glass to suddenly crack. Instead, it will gradually melt the ice without affecting the glass underneath.

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Make sure to move the bag continuously across the screen, making sure it doesn’t stay in one place for too long.

But while these can be quick fixes, the car insurance expert said patience is the absolute “best” method.

He said: “Honestly, the best thing you can do is just wake up on time, turn on the car heater and let the car warm up gradually.

“If there is a thicker layer of ice or snow, using a scraper is the best way to avoid damage to the windshield.”

Video viewers agreed with the insurance expert in the comments. A user named Oly said: “The best is to use the scraper.”

Another user said that waking up on time is the best advice and “removes so much stress” when defrosting a car every morning.

Another TikTok user named @amysaavage tested the hot water in a bag trick to defrost his car windshield and was happy with the results.

She posted a video on her account, with a caption that said: “This hack is a game changer. TikTok teaches me more than school ever did.”

Amy can be seen dragging the bag of hot water over the icy windshield, with the ice melting away in seconds. However, she was quick to remind people that hot water is absolutely essential to the safety of your car.

TikTok users commented on her video and shared the same message. One said: “For all the lazy people trying this: HOT water, not hot water. Please, for God’s sake.”