The UK’s harsh winters bring the unwelcome surprise of a frozen windscreen early in the morning, often when time is not on your side. The scramble to clear the ice can be frustrating and time-consuming, eating into your busy schedule and leaving you flustered before the day has even begun.
Windscreen de-icer is the hero in these icy predicaments, swiftly melting away the frost and offering you a clear view of the road ahead. While some drivers explore DIY de-icer recipes to save money, the reality is that these homemade mixtures can be hit or miss - most often the latter.
We’ll help you weigh the benefits against the drawbacks and walk you through how to make windscreen de-icer DIY if you are committed to bringing your own formulation to life. The truth is, though, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re keeping yourself and other drivers safe by simply ordering your windscreen de-icer here at Jennychem.
Our formulation is specially designed to work fast, and it also works proactively to prevent future freezes. So, save yourself the time and stress of DIY at Jennychem today - or learn more about what this project entails below.
Before we get into how to make windscreen de-icer, what is the role of this formulation in the first place? It serves a singular, vital purpose: to rapidly melt ice and frost that obscure a driver's view through the vehicle's windscreen. After all, a clear windscreen is not just a convenience - it's a necessity for safe driving.
Ice and snow can distort and block your view, turning every journey into a potential hazard. A fully defrosted windscreen allows drivers to respond quickly to their surroundings, react to hazards, and maintain safe control of their vehicles.
Windscreen de-icers are formulated to lower the freezing point of water, causing ice to melt even in cold temperatures. They typically contain a mixture of chemicals, such as isopropyl alcohol or ethylene glycol, which break down the bonds between the ice and the glass, making it easier to remove.
These solutions quickly penetrate and dissolve the thin layer of ice when applied, allowing your windscreen wipers to clear away any residue effectively, restoring clear vision within minutes. With a better understanding of the role these play in your vehicle’s safety and functionality, let’s get into how to make windscreen de-icer at home.
Like we said earlier, DIY windscreen de-icer can be tempting for the cost savings and the fact that you may have the necessary ingredients on hand already.
If you’re in a rush to get to work and don’t have time to sit around and wait for your windscreen to defrost on its own, you can try this advice below.
Ultimately, though, we still recommend ordering our Frost Fighter today so that you have it for next time. This will save you a ton of stress and get you on the road quickly and safely.
Before you begin, it's essential to choose your ingredients wisely. The most common components for homemade de-icers include isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and water.
Isopropyl alcohol is preferred due to its low freezing point, which is around -89°C (-128°F). This ensures that your mixture will remain liquid and effective even in the coldest of temperatures.
We recommend distilled water to dilute the isopropyl, as this will help avoid mineral deposits on your windscreen. You may even consider a few drops of dish soap to help break down the ice. Just note that too much can leave streaks on your windscreen - leaving you just as frustrated by the poor visibility.
Other tools you may need:
A common recommendation is to use a two-to-one ratio of alcohol to water. This ensures the mixture remains effective even at low temperatures. If you decide to add dish soap, a few drops should suffice.
Once you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to mix them. Here's how to do it:
There you have it - you’ve made your own DIY windscreen defroster! Pretty simple, right? Now, let’s talk about application.
For the best results when applying your homemade de-icer, follow these tips:
Proper storage is key to maintaining the efficacy of your DIY de-icer. Keep it in a cool, dark area like a garage or utility room to maintain its chemical properties. We also suggest labeling your spray bottle with the contents and the date it was mixed.
Before each use, check the solution to ensure it hasn't separated or changed in consistency. If it has, you may need to bin the solution and start fresh.
Speaking of degradation, homemade de-icer can last a long time if stored correctly. However, it's a good practice to mix a fresh batch each winter season to ensure the best performance.
As you can see, learning how to make windscreen de-icer is fairly simple and straightforward. However, it’s not the time investment that you should be concerned about. It’s safety and efficacy.
The truth is, these homemade solutions often fall short compared to their professionally formulated counterparts. So - before you get to work, let’s look at the pros and cons of DIY windscreen de-icers.
It’s true - making your own de-icer can be cheaper than purchasing commercial products, especially if you already have the necessary ingredients at home.
This also speaks to the accessibility of DIY. You obviously can’t run to the store and buy a bottle of de-icer when your windscreen is frozen - but you can quickly whip a batch up in the garage!
It’s also worth noting that DIY allows you to customise the formulation. You can adjust the ratios and ingredients based on your specific needs and preferences, tailoring the de-icer to the climate you're in.
However, it's crucial to consider the cons, which can often outweigh the pros when it comes to the effectiveness and convenience of your de-icing solution:
Just as with making a salt spreader DIY, the reality is you’re often better off saving the time and stress and investing in a professional solution. You won’t need to look far, either. The best windscreen de-icer is a click away at Jennychem!
Navigating the challenges of winter driving can be daunting, but with Jennychem’s Frost Fighter, you can reclaim control from the cold and transform your icy windscreen into a clear window to the world in no time.
This high-performance, industrial-strength de-icer is your secret weapon against the frosty mornings and freezing nights that winter throws your way. It works in temperatures up to -9°C to deliver rapid results.
Its fast-acting formula is designed to dissolve ice, frost, and even snow upon contact, minimising the time you spend shivering in the cold and getting you safely on the road quickly.
But the benefits of Frost Fighter go beyond just immediate de-icing. With regular application, it offers preventive action that helps to stop re-freezing, ensuring that your windscreen and locks remain clear and functional throughout the winter season.
Safety and care for your vehicle are paramount, which is why Frost Fighter is meticulously formulated to be safe for various surfaces. It's gentle on glass, metal, and car paint, which means you can use it without the worry of causing corrosion or damage.
Moreover, the concentrated strength of Frost Fighter gives you the flexibility to customise its potency according to the severity of your local winter conditions. Whether you're facing a light morning frost or a heavy icy glaze, you can adjust the concentration of your de-icer to meet the challenge head-on.
You can stock up on other winter essentials, too, like our car antifreeze, antifreeze screenwash, de-icing salt, salt spreader, and more. Jennychem is your one-stop shop for all things commercial cleaning and maintenance.
So, embrace the winter season without fear of the freeze. Save time and enjoy peace of mind with Jennychem’s specially formulated windscreen defroster!
In summary, while learning how to make windscreen de-icer can be cost-effective and customisable, these solutions often fall short in performance, consistency, and convenience compared to professionally formulated products like Jennychem's Frost Fighter.
The latter offers a powerful, fast-acting, and safe solution for maintaining clear visibility in freezing conditions, without the risk of damage to your vehicle.
Regular maintenance, including cleaning, wiper care, and windscreen treatments, complement the use of a high-quality de-icer, ensuring you remain safe on the road throughout winter.
We also have resources to keep you prepared this winter season, like how to melt ice on concrete, why does salt melt ice, how to use a salt spreader, how to stop screenwash freezing, is antifreeze and coolant the same thing, and many more.
For peace of mind and crystal-clear windscreens, choose the expert solution waiting for you at Jennychem and make winter driving a breeze. Shop now and take the first step towards a safer, clearer journey, no matter the weather!
