If you live in areas like Flagstaff during the winter, or an environment where you would have surely experienced snow, you rush out the door as fast as possible to commute to work, see a layer of ice on your windshield, look for your ice scraper, but it’s nowhere to be found! What do you do next? How will you make it to work on time? We understand this scenario is encountered by just about everyone at some point. To safely get that ice off your car’s windshield and make it to work on time, here are the best ice scraper alternatives:
1. Let Your Car Warm Up
The absolute best method of getting rid of ice from your windshield without using an ice scraper is the defrost setting. Though, if you have less time, this technique may not be your quickest bet. However, if you remember to pop outside for a minute or two while when you are getting ready, you will have an ice-free vehicle when you’re ready to head out the door!
To securely melt the ice on the vehicle’s windows, start the vehicle and turn the defroster on a low to medium setting. Avoid cranking the setting up since the swift temperature shift inside the vehicle can damage your auto glass. Allow 10-15 minutes for your windows to defrost totally, and use wipers to remove residue, if any.
2. Rubbing Water and Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol rapidly dissolves the ice accumulated on your windshield, so if you’re in a hurry, this is a safe alternative to an ice-scraper. Keep in mind, though, that rubbing alcohol does freeze when the temperatures go below 5°F, so if are faced with sub-zero temperatures, don’t use this method. Here is the step by step method:
- Mix 2 parts rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle with one-part tap water.
- Remove accumulated snow from your windshield before you start spraying the solution.
- Spray the alcohol-water solution on the accumulated ice.
- Let alcohol melt the ice fully; wait for a minute or two.
- Use windshield wipers to remove the sludgy snow that is still present on the glass.
3. Salt & Water
This doesn’t mean sprinkling salt on your windshield and waiting for the ice to melt, but instead mixing the salt and water to get the job done fast. Keep in mind, however: Excessive salt use on your auto glass may result in damage, so use this technique only if you’re in a tight spot. Here’s the step by step process:
- Mix 1 tbsp of salt with two cups of tap water in a spray bottle.
- Remove accumulated snow from the windshield before start spraying the solution.
- Spray the solution directly on the ice.
- Wait for few minutes for the ice to start to thaw.
- Use windshield wipers to remove the residue, if any.
One thing that you should remember is that if your auto glass currently has chips or cracks, the acid may cause more damage. Until you have the auto glass repaired, avoid using this technique. Get your auto glass repaired faster and in an affordable way. Contact us for our reliable auto glass repair and replacement services available at a few clicks.
