Every winter, the same problem hits. You wake up late. The car is frozen solid. The windscreen looks like a sheet of ice. Most drivers reach for a $4 bottle of de-icer and hope for the best. But one driver says you do not need it at all.
Motorists are being urged to use one basic household item to clear frozen windscreens in December and over Christmas. It is cheap, quick, and chances are, it is already in your kitchen.
Adrian Garner shared a simple trick that is turning heads. No fancy tools. No costly sprays. Just warm water in an old spray bottle. Not hot. Not boiling. Just warm enough to do the job without damaging your glass.
Adrian says he keeps an empty spray bottle and fills it with warm water before heading outside. He sprays it around the windscreen and windows. The ice melts almost instantly.
He calls it a simple life hack. And he is right. It works when you have no de-icer on hand. It also saves money across the winter months. One bottle of de-icer here and there adds up fast. Warm water costs next to nothing.
The key detail matters, though. The water must be warm, not boiling. That difference protects your windscreen from cracking. Many drivers have made the mistake of throwing kettle water on ice and paying the price later.
Why Boiling Water Is a Bad Idea?
Francis / Unsplash / The RAC has issued a clear warning. Boiling water and frozen glass do not mix. Pouring hot water on an icy windscreen can cause instant cracks.
Even if it does not break right away, it weakens the glass over time.
This reaction is known as thermal shock. The sudden change in temperature puts stress on the windscreen. Repeating it makes things worse. One morning, the glass gives up. Then you are facing a big repair bill that could run into hundreds of dollars.
The RAC says it is never worth the risk. Saving a minute is not worth replacing a windscreen. Using lukewarm water is a safer option if de-icer is not available. Warm water melts ice gently without shocking the glass.
This is why Adrian’s method works. It avoids extreme heat. It melts the ice fast. And it keeps your windscreen intact. That makes it a smart winter habit, especially during busy holiday mornings.
Use Your Car’s Built-In Defrost Tools
Nick / Unsplash / Once your engine is on, your car already has tools designed for this job. The defrost setting is your best friend on cold mornings.
It is usually marked by a curved windscreen icon with arrows pointing upward.
Press that button as soon as the car starts. Turn the fan on high. Aim the airflow directly at the windscreen and front windows. This helps melt ice evenly from the inside out.
Clear visibility plays a key role. Drivers must see through the front windscreen, side windows, and wing mirrors. Ice on any of these areas limits your view and raises the risk of accidents.
Most cars also include a rear window defrost button. This clears ice from the back windscreen quickly. Some vehicles extend this feature to wing mirrors, which is a big help during frosty mornings.
If your car has these features, use them fully. Set the temperature to the highest level allowed. The system regulates the heat and protects the windscreen. The ice melts faster, and you get moving sooner.
Buying de-icer at $4 a bottle might not feel expensive at first. But across a full winter, it adds up.
A few cold weeks can easily cost $20 or more. That is money you do not need to spend.
