Ice Scraper Alternatives for Your Windshield

If you’ve lived in a part of the US where winter can get quite cold, you’re no stranger to ice on your windshield, especially if you’re in a hurry. In situations like this, you almost always can’t find the ice scraper when you need it. So you need to look for an alternative.

Experts at Auto Glass Express will share some useful tips on ice scraper alternatives in case you need to clean the ice from your windshield in a hurry.

Warming Up Your Vehicle

The safest (like 100% safe) method in removing ice from your windshield is to simply let your car warm up and defrost the windshield. This way doesn’t even require an ice-scraper.

Yes, this isn’t the quickest way to remove the ice, but if you start your car a few minutes before you have to leave, by the time you’re out the door, the windshield will be free of ice.

Even though this is the safest method of defrosting your vehicle windows, you should exercise caution. Instead of turning the defrost all the way up to maximum, try turning it on to low and medium. The sudden change in temperature (cold outside, warm inside) might damage your windshield. It’s best to take it slow. In 15-20 minutes, the ice on your windshield will melt and you can just use the wipers to remove excess condensation.

Use a Mixture of Rubbing Alcohol and Water

If you’re really in a hurry and you don’t have time to wait for the defroster to do its job, you can always use rubbing alcohol as an alternative. Yes, it’s true that alcohol is good for dissolving ice from your windshield. However, keep in mind that rubbing alcohol can still freeze below 5 degrees F so if it’s particularly cold that day, save this method for another time. Here’s the recipe for this solution:

• Take a spray bottle and fill 2/3 with rubbing alcohol and 1/3 with room temperature water
• Remove buildup snow from the windshield
• Spray the solution directly on the ice
• Wait a few minutes until the alcohol dissolves the ice
• Use your wipers to remove the remains of the ice from the windshield

Mixture of Salt and Water

Counties around the US that deal with the snowy and icy roads, spread salt to melt the ice. You can try this on your windshield as well. Of course, you SHOULDN’T sprinkle salt on it directly, but rather mix it with water and spray it on the auto glass. Word of caution. Using too much salt can also damage the windshield so we recommend using the following mixture:

• Take a spray bottle
• Mix one tablespoon of salt with two cups of room temperature water
• Spray the solution directly on the ice
• Wait a few minutes before the salty water mixture dissolves the ice
• Clean with your windshield wipers

Mixture of Vinegar and Water

A mixture of vinegary and water doesn’t dissolve existing ice. But you can use it as a preventative against ice. Since vinegary is highly acidic, it will prevent ice crystals from forming, thus keeping your windshield ice-free. The idea mixture should include:

• Take three parts of apple cider vinegar
• One part of water
• Mix it together in a spray bottle
• Spray the mixture onto your windshield before you head inside and leave your car in the driveway or a parking lot.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your windshield already has existing cracks or chips, we highly recommend that you avoid using this method. The acids in the vinegar can further damage the already existing cracks, making it much worse.