Maybe you’re preparing for a move and need to completely defrost your freezer, or perhaps you’re trying to make a repair or do some deep cleaning. At any rate, it’s a fairly lengthy waiting game for the appliance to defrost on its own. You want to speed things up.

So can you use car de-icer on a freezer to accelerate the defrosting process? It makes sense that you’d turn to your trust de-icing spray since it works so well on your vehicle’s windscreen, but unfortunately, even the best de icer for car windows can cause more harm than good.

That’s because there are certain ingredients that aren’t considered food safe. We’ll talk more about why you shouldn’t use a car de-icer for freezer below and show you some safe, effective alternatives that work well.

Can You Use Car De-Icer on a Freezer?

So can you use car de-icer on a freezer? The short answer is no - at least, we don’t recommend it. We’ve seen plenty of people say it worked for them, but it’s not a matter of effectiveness. Rather, it’s a safety concern. 

To understand why it’s not a good idea, you need to know what’s actually in car de-icer giving it these car de-icing solutions. Let’s start there. 

What’s in Car De-Icer?

The specific formulation for car de-icer can vary widely from one brand and product to another. They all share a common theme of including either methanol, ethanol, or isopropyl alcohol - sometimes, a combination. 

They feature other additives to break down ice fast, too. For instance, some car de-icers are formulated with propellants or chemical stabilisers. 

It’s no secret these ingredients work wonderfully to melt ice on car windows, and sometimes even on car door locks or handles. The problem is they leave behind harmful residues that are not food safe.

So Can You Use Car De-Icer to Defrost a Freezer?

Technically the windscreen de-icer we sell at Jennychem will defrost a freezer. It’ll do it really quickly, too. The question is, at what cost? You’re going to bring toxic chemicals into a space where you store your frozen foods and desserts. 

The risk of contamination is too high. Introducing any chemicals you wouldn’t put in your body is a bad idea. Plus, some of these products can leave a lingering odour that is really hard to get out.

So, is de-icer bad for your car then? Not at all! These are entirely different applications. You can still use our de-icing spray to maintain safe driving conditions and get out of the house quickly on those frigid winter mornings. You just might need to look elsewhere for a freezer defroster.

Alternative Methods for Defrosting a Freezer

The good news is there are plenty of alternative methods you can use to defrost your freezer, whether you’re trying to move out of your home or replace it with a new one, do some routine cleaning or handle a quick repair. 

Each approach below is deemed much safer than using a car de-icer for freezer - at least, from a contamination perspective. However, the first method does raise some other concerns you’ll need to be aware of…

The Boiling Water Method

We’re really only mentioning the idea of using boiling water because we want to deter you from using it as well. While you won’t have to worry about contaminating food when you refreeze the appliance, there are other risks with using this method.

For one, you could inadvertently burn yourself. That’s reason enough to try a different strategy. But there’s also a risk of the boiling water coming into direct contact with the plastic in your freezer and leading to warping or cracking.

Here’s the quicker, though - we’re not telling you to POUR boiling water into the freezer! Instead, you could try this approach:

1. Fill a heatproof bowl or pan with boiling water and place it inside the freezer.
2. Close the door to trap the heat, allowing the steam to loosen the ice.
3. Check every 10-15 minutes, replacing the hot water as needed and wiping away melted ice.

This method does work well for thick ice layers, but the truth is there are even better solutions worth trying.

Using a Hairdryer or Heat Gun (With Caution)

Another way you can use heat to speed up the defrosting process is with a hairdryer or heat gun - again, cautiously. You don’t want to inadvertently warp the plastic components in your freezer. Follow these tips:

• Set the device to a low/medium heat setting to avoid damaging the freezer’s plastic interior.
• Keep the appliance at least 30 cm away from freezer surfaces.
• Move it in slow, sweeping motions rather than concentrating heat on one spot.

Never use an open flame or high-powered heat gun, though. There are electrical hazards and the risk of damaging your freezer with excess heat is much higher.

Letting the Freezer Defrost Naturally

Of course, the safest way to defrost your freezer is letting Father Time do its thing. This is our recommendation as an alternative to car de-icer for freezer if you have time and aren’t in a rush. 

Just unplug the freezer and let it defrost on its own after removing all food. Place towels around the base to absorb water, and make sure you leave the freezer door open for several hours or even overnight.

You can speed the process up slightly by placing a fan in front of the freezer to circulate warm air. You won’t have to worry about damaging your freezer itself or introducing harmful chemicals into the space you store food in this way.

Food-Safe De-Icing Products

There are some food-safe de-icing sprays you can find on the market. They’re few and far between but if you look hard enough you might be able to get your hands on something non-toxic designed for kitchen appliances.

Always check the label to confirm it’s safe for use in freezers. When in doubt, look into making a homemade de-icer instead - there are a few things around the house you might consider trying!

DIY Solutions (Vinegar, Baking Soda, and More)

There are three things we’ve seen work well from a DIY standpoint if you’re still looking for an alternative to using car de-icer for freezer:

• Vinegar solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Then, spray it onto any visible ice to help loosen it.
• Baking soda paste: Combine baking soda and a little water to create a mild abrasive paste that can help break down frost buildup.
• Salt water rinse: A warm saltwater solution can help weaken ice, making it easier to remove. Will table salt melt ice? Maybe, but a stronger de-icing salt concoction may be faster and more effective.

Weigh your options above and think about what makes the most sense for your timeline to get the freezer completely defrosted. If you aren’t in a rush, there’s no need to worry about speeding things up - just let the process occur naturally! 

How to Defrost Your Freezer Quickly and Safely

Defrosting your freezer doesn’t have to be a long, frustrating process. Before we wrap things up here’s a quick guide to safely thawing your freezer from A to Z.

Plan Ahead and Protect Your Food

There’s probably still food in the freezer, and any perishable items need to be moved to a different freezer, a cooler, or an insulated bag with ice packs to prevent spoilage. Or, use up all your frozen food in advance if you have time to plan ahead!

Unplug and Remove Drawers for Better Airflow

Always unplug your freezer first to prevent electrical hazards. Then, take out shelves, drawers, and compartments. The more surface area you expose the faster ice will melt. Wipe down the interior with a dry cloth to remove excess frost and moisture before you begin.

Speed Up the Ice Melting Process

Now it’s just a waiting game - or, an acceleration game if you’re using one of the methods we mentioned above as alternatives to car de-icer for freezer. 

The simplest approach is to simply open the freezer door and position a fan or space heater nearby (not inside the freezer) to circulate warm air. You could also dry laying warm, damp towels on the ice-covered surfaces to gradually soften the frost. 

We’ve seen people use a rubber or plastic spatula to carefully break apart loose ice chunks without damaging the freezer walls. This can be hit or miss and only starts working well once the defrosting process is underway.

Collecting Melted Water

Make sure you have dry towels on the floor to capture water as it melts. Wring out towels frequently to prevent water from spreading across the floor. 

If you don’t have enough towels on hand you could also consider using a shallow tray or baking sheet to collect excess water pooling at the bottom.

Wipe Down and Deodorise Before Restarting

Eventually you’ll have a completely thawed freezer you can move to a new location, repair, or clean. But before you restart the freezer it’s imperative that you clean it with a mild detergent or a food-safe solution.

This is because there could be some lingering moisture inside the freezer contributing to mould or mildew. Stubborn odours might call for a mixture of water and lemon juice.

Make sure all compartments are completely before plugging the freezer back in and returning food. This will mitigate new ice formation to some degree.

Final Thoughts on Car De-Icer for Freezer

So can you use car de-icer on a freezer? It’s a fair question, because it works so well on vehicle windows. Unfortunately, though, this can cause more harm than good. It exposes any food you put back in the freezer to toxic contaminants. It’s simply not worth the risk.

Using food-safe alternatives keeps your freezer free of harmful residues while still working quickly to remove ice. Whether you choose boiling water, a hairdryer, or a natural solution like vinegar, follow our tips above and you’ll be well on your way to thawing your freezer!

Our blog has additional resources on how to de-ice car windows or what salt works best to melt ice if you’re trying to stay ahead of the harsh conditions this winter. But now that you know what to use instead of car de-icer for freezer, it’s time to get to work! Best of luck.