How To Quickly Defrost Your Car Windshield and Windows

September 29, 2023

It’s a cold, winter morning. You wake up, make a warm cup of coffee, get dressed and head out for work only to realize your car windows are completely frosted over. We’ve all been there. Here are a few different ways to tackle the problem:

Turn the Heater and Defroster On

Sit in your car for several minutes while your defroster is set to full blast. This makes for slow progress, but it gets the job done. 

Turning on the defogger setting helps clear fog or condensation on the interior of the windshield by directing warm air onto it, enhancing visibility and safety while driving. The rear windshield defroster, usually using electrical heating elements, helps remove frost, ice, or condensation from the rear window, improving rear visibility during cold weather conditions.

Use An Ice Scraper

To save some time, you can always resort to the ice scraper method. Your hands might freeze while scraping away the ice, but this route beats the defroster in terms of speed. Keep a pair of gloves handy and be careful not to slip on any ice!

Crack Your Windows

Cracking your windows slightly while using the defroster helps to exchange the air inside the car with fresh air from outside, aiding in the removal of moisture and speeding up the defrosting process. This helps to reduce the buildup of condensation on the windows and promotes faster clearing of fog, frost, or ice, improving visibility and making the defrosting more efficient.

Use A Mixture Of Water And Isopropyl Or Rubbing Alcohol 

Try a fun little trick that will melt the ice away in seconds. Mix a solution of 1/3 part water and 2/3 part isopropyl or rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and store in your car. Spray this on your windshield and watch the ice melt away almost instantly.

Because isopropyl has a low freezing point of 128°F below zero, you can leave the solution in your car and never worry about it freezing. Keep in mind that isopropyl can erode car paint if used too often, so stick to using this trick on your windows only and wash and wax your car regularly in the months that you use it.

Add Deicing Wiper Fluid To Your Car

Deicing wiper fluid is a specialized windshield washer fluid that contains chemicals designed to quickly melt ice and frost from the windshield and wiper blades. When sprayed onto a frozen windshield, the deicing fluid helps to break down the ice, making it easier for the wiper blades to clear away the frozen debris. It provides an effective and convenient solution for defrosting a car's windshield during winter weather, enhancing visibility and ensuring safer driving conditions.

Don’t Let A Frozen Windshield Slow You Down

For more good life advice, check out our guide to winterizing your car.