How to De-Ice Your Car’s Glass Without Scraping [2023]

How to De-ice Your Windshield

There are a few ways to affectively de-ice your windshield without needing to brush and scrape a rigid layer of ice.

The first method is to apply a solution that has a lower freezing temperature than the ice. This will cause the snow and ice to start melting immediately upon contact.

The second is to use a De-icer spray. These sprays often utilize a formula that is high in methanol. Methanol is a form of alcohol and offers extremely fast snow and ice melting properties. It also has the ability to prevent dangerous refreeze on your windshield.

The third method is to apply heat. This could be achieved through heated windshield wipers or heated windshield washer fluid. It could also be achieved using a heating element placed inside the car. This not only warms up the interior for the driver but will also melt the snow and ice covering the windshield.

If for some reason you do like scraping ice though, then you may enjoy our article on the best windshield ice scrapers.

OUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS TO DE-ICE YOUR WINDSHIELD!

De-Icer Spray

This is Prestone’s De-Icer Spray. It is a spray with a high methanol content to quickly melt snow and ice. It works on all windows and mirrors as well as being able to de-ice a car’s locks. On top of easily melting windshield frost, it also has the ability to prevent dangerous refreezing on the glass.

The concentrated formula should be able to take care of most snow and ice. But just in case you run across an extra stubborn frost it also has scraper built into the cap. This scraper can be used after you’ve sprayed down the windshield to loosen any remaining pieces and ensure that the job gets finished.

Heated Windshield Wiper Blades

This is the ThermalBlade Heated Windshield Wiper. This windshield wiper is wired directly to your car’s battery. It has an inline monitor that automatically turns it on when temperatures drop below freezing. When turned on the windshield wiper will begin to heat up. They are thermostatically controlled so they are always heated to the correct temperature for the weather. These heated windshield wipers can melt snow and de-ice the glass ensuring that your windshield gets clear and stays clear throughout your drive.

These windshield wipers have an air spoiler that catches wind at high speeds pushing them down onto the windshield for consistent contact. They also have a silicone blade that can withstand extreme temperature changes and will last about 2 times longer than conventional rubber. It also has a replaceable blade so that when they reach the end of their life all that you need to replace is the rubber squeegee saving you a ton of money in the long run.

Heated Windshield Washer Fluid

If you’ve been waiting for the day that you no longer have to stand outside using sprays or ice scrapers then you’re in luck. This is the Alphatherm Windshield Washer Fluid Heater. This heater connects inline between your windshield washer fluid reservoir and your car’s spray nozzles. Once installed it will heat the water coming out of the nozzles to between 125-135 degrees Fahrenheit.

This heated water is able to effectively melt snow and ice on contact. Letting your windshield wipers clear the snow and ice from your glass as the heated washer fluid melts it away. Heated washer fluid will also clean your jet nozzles making sure that they don’t get clogged. And it increases the effectiveness of your current washer fluid for removing bugs and road grime from the glass.

This windshield washer fluid heater coupled with one of our winter washer fluid blends will be the perfect combination to ensure that you never have to stand in the cold trying to de-ice your windshield again.

Windshield Heating Mat

The Warmguard Car Windshield Defroster can melt the snow and ice from your windshield while also warming up your car’s interior! This is a heated pad that is placed in your car’s dashboard. It has a 120V plug that is designed specifically to be closed in your car’s door and run into a 3 prong outlet form your home. Once plugged in it heats up, using a built-in thermometer to get to exactly 150 degrees Fahrenheit and never exceeding 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once up to temperature the mat will begin to de-ice the windshield while also warming your car’s interior to a more comfortable temperature for when you get inside. This mat can be plugged into your car’s interior 120V outlet if applicable. Although, it is much more economical to run the mat from your house’s electrical outlet as it only costs about 1 cent an hour to operate.

Windshield Snow Cover

A windshield snow cover is a cheap and convenient way to make sure that you never come out to an iced-over windshield. Our recommendation is the Frost Guard Windshield Snow Cover. But you can find a load of options in our article covering more of them here. The Frost Guard works by covering the windshield while you are gone ensuring that it doesn’t collect any snow or ice against the glass.

Once you come back you simply pull off any snow laying on the cover to reveal a crystal clear windshield. The snow cover is held in place by two pieces of fabric that hang oof of each side. These extra pieces of fabric are closed in the doors. They have a piece of PVC sewn into the end. This keeps the snow cover from moving around in heavy winds and prevents it from theft.

The Frost Guard also has an extra piece of fabric at the bottom that covers the windshield wipers from the elements. Ensuring that they don’t freeze to the windshield and keeping them out of the elements to extend their lifespan. This particular snow cover also comes with two bags to cover your side windows protecting them from snow and ice as well.

Homemade De-Icing Solution

A simple cheap homemade solution to de-ice your windshield is to mix Two Parts 70% Isopropyl Alcohol with One Part Water. Add a few drops of dish soap and put it into a spray bottle. Apply liberally to your windshield and watch the snow melt away! More stubborn ice chunks may require a little scraping but they should pop up from the glass easily. Using the windshield wipers will also help spread the mixture and break off chunks of snow and ice. For a DIY concoction, this solution works extremely well to de-ice your windshield as well as passenger windows and mirrors.