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LIFE HACKS: How to Scrape Time Off Cleaning Your Car This Winter
Let us save you a few minutes of your morning. We have a few ways to help you shave precious time off getting your car ready to hit the road this winter.
This morning I went out to my car and, well, winter came a little early for us. My car's windows were not completely iced, but it was still something I did not want to do this morning, especially because it was bitter cold.
Then I thought to myself, "What if I just start to plan ahead better?" I've lived in the Southern Tier my whole life. Winter isn't a shock to me. I can get around this.
I'm going to share a few tips you can use along with me to cut down the amount of time you spend cleaning off your car in the morning, free of charge (this time).
*As an Amazon Associate, we make money off qualifying purchases
DIY De-Icer Spray
In researching ways to de-ice your car, I came across this little gem. Apparently you can make your own spray to clear the ice.
There's two ways to do it. The first one is by mixing two parts 70 percent isopropyl alcohol with one part water in a spray bottle. This liquid will have a much lower freee point than water, so it works fast.
The second is to fill a spray bottle with water, then add a table spoon or two of either table salt or road salt. We all see snow plows pour salt on the road to get rid of snow and ice. The same principle works here.
However, if you just want to buy sprays that prevent ice and make it easier to get off, here's a few suggestions:
Blast That Air
You may already know this, but believe it or not, I do know people that have no clue what to set their car's air at to defrost a windshield.
Fortunately, Mark Rober has made a handy little "how-to" guide to defrost your windshield:
First, blast the heater. Second, turn on the air conditioning all the way. Third, turn off the inside air circulation. Finally crack the windows open just a bit.
Buy a Windshield Cover
My wife does this one a lot and it saves her a lot of time in the morning.
It's pretty simple. Cover the windshield, snow and ice can't accumulate on it. Then take the cover off in the morning, and the windshield is clean. You just shaved a few minutes away.
Here's a few affordable options if you're in the market for a windshield cover:
Get A Beast of an Ice Scraper
Sometimes, using a little bit of elbow grease is the best option. However, you want to make sure you have the proper tools.
A while ago I bought a small, handheld ice scraper from a gas station. It was cheap and it got the job done. Until it broke on me mid-scrape, that is.
You don't want your scraper to break mid-way through on you. It sucks.
After that bad experience, I splurged on a scraper/brush similar to this one:
Getting one that is extendable is a live-saver, because you can get all the snow off your roof, preventing it from blowing back on to your rear windshield once you start driving.
I've also seen these types of ice scrapers around:
They don't have a brush which kind of stinks, but I can see how having a smaller, handheld scraper would be more efficient. It seems like there would be greater maneuverability and traction with having a smaller one.
Lastly, I used to have one of these:
It may seem weird to have an ice scraper that has an oven mitt attached to it, but hear me out.
If your anything like me, you either forget your gloves, or decide to tough it out and ditch them altogether.
Then, you regret the decision when you clean your car, and all the snow/ice shavings fall on your now-freezing hands.
This one allows your hands to stay warm during the cleaning process. Anything to enable my stubbornness in not wearing gloves.
Try some of these ideas and products out!
Oh, and you're welcome.
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