Looking for an easy way to get the ice off your car? Try these homemade hacks
With snow, ice and winter weather on its way to Fort Worth, you may want to consider ways to de-ice your driveway, patio and car.
Many people turn to ice melt, road salt and other manufactured products for ice control, but the truth is they can do more harm than good, experts say.
Instead of buying items to de-ice your home and vehicle, you could just use what’s in your kitchen.
Here are some ordinary household products that can assist you in de-icing your car and more, co-signed by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s office and auto experts.
What can I use at home to de-ice my car?
Cooking spray
Apply cooking spray to the rubber seals of your car doors to keep them from freezing shut. The cooking spray keeps heavy, wet snow from building up and stops water from melting into the rubber.
Alcohol
Mix rubbing alcohol and room-temperature water in a spray bottle to defrost your windshield. The ice will melt instantly due to the alcohol. If your windshield is significantly covered in ice, you might need to repeat this process until all of the ice has been removed.
Table salt
A tablespoon of salt with two cups of water is another solution that can effectively de-ice your windshield. The mixture will melt the ice and keep the water from refreezing. Car glass can be damaged by prolonged exposure to salt, so use caution when applying it. Once the ice begins to melt, remove any remaining residue with a squeegee, brush or your windshield wipers.
Hand sanitizer gel
Hand sanitizer can melt the ice on frozen locks. The alcohol in the gel melts the ice in the lock and the hand sanitizer will evaporate. Not only will your lock be unfrozen, it’ll be clean.
Shaving cream
Rub shaving cream on the inside of your windows. Many of the ingredients found in commercial defoggers are also included in shaving cream, which leaves a coating on the window to keep the fog away.
Lemon juice
Ice can be broken down with the help of citric acid found in lemons. After applying the juice to the windshield, rinse it off with tepid water and use the lemon to remove any remaining shards.
Socks
Socks can be used to protect your windshield wipers during the winter. You can prevent the wipers from freezing to the windshield by covering them the night before. In the winter, this trick also helps prolong the wipers’ lifespan. You can use saran wrap or a plastic grocery bag fastened with a rubber band if you don’t have socks.
