How to Unfreeze Car Windows

by Sal Marco
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Frozen, icy car windows create a hazard when attempting to drive during the cold months and require thorough removal. There are many methods for defrosting and de-icing car windows; unfortunately many of them may crack or shatter your windows. Choose only safe and appropriate methods for de-icing and unfreezing windows.

Defroster

Step 1

Start the car and allow it to run without the defroster or heater on for a minimum of five minutes.

Step 2

Turn the heat on low and turn the defroster on.

Step 3

Allow the defroster to run for five minutes.

Step 4

Increase the heater temperature to medium and allow it to run for five minutes.

Step 5

Turn the heat up to the high setting and allow it to run until ice melts.

Scraper

Step 1

Use a plastic scraper intended for ice removal. Do not use metal because it will scratch car windows. A plastic spatula or sturdy plastic tumbler works if an ice scraper is not available.

Step 2

Begin at a corner of the window and scrape away ice, working your way to the middle.

Step 3

Continue to scrape from the edges towards the center until windows are free of ice. This method works best in conjunction with a car defroster.

White Vinegar

Step 1

Mix 3/4-cup white vinegar with 1/4-cup room temperature water in a spray bottle.

Step 2

Spray the mixture onto icy car windows.

Step 3

Scrape the melting ice off the windows with an ice scraper.

Isopropyl Alcohol

Step 1

Mix 3/4-cup isopropyl alcohol with 1/4-cup room temperature water in a spray bottle.

Step 2

Spray the ice liberally with the mixture.

Step 3

Allow the mixture to sit for two to three minutes.

Step 4

Spray the windows again with the mixture and scrape away melting ice build-up.

Chemical De-icers

Step 1

Spray the windows with a canned de-icer, which has an active ingredient of polypropylene glycol, a derivative of ethylene oxide.

Step 2

Allow the glycol to melt the ice, which is almost immediate.

Step 3

Push the slush off the windows with a squeegee.

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