4 deicing ‘tips’ to avoid – and one simple solution
When you get up in the morning, is one of the first things you do to look at the weather outside? We are in the coldest part of the year and the ice or snow regularly covers windows and windscreens. Checking for a heavy frost tells you whether you need to leave the house 10 minutes ahead of time to get where you’re heading. Clearing the frost and snow off your windows, and ensuring you have full visibility, can take a while, so it’s tempting to take short cuts.
That’s not always a good idea though…
Here are 4 things NOT to do to clear your windscreen!
- Don’t try to de-ice and clear your windscreen by using the wipers. It’ll cause excessive wear to the blades, and it won’t shift the ice.
- Don’t pour hot water over your windscreen. It’s effective at melting the ice, but it can also cause your windscreen to crack. If you’ve got a small chip or some damage that you may not have noticed, the boiling water will get into it and the sudden expansion will turn that tiny chip into a rapidly spreading crack.
- There are online tips that suggest spraying a saltwater mix directly onto the windscreen – DON’T DO IT! Salt is highly corrosive, especially to paintwork and metals. You might get to work earlier, but you’ll be ruining your car slowly but surely.
4th and finally, a word of warning:
Most of us have done this! Over half of UK drivers admit to leaving their vehicle unattended with the engine running for an average of 7 minutes when de-icing their windscreen. It is a risk that is not worth taking.
There have been many cases where drivers have started their engines in the road or on the drive and left the vehicle to ‘warm up’. They’ve then gone back inside for a nice hot drink. In the meantime, an opportunist has come along, jumped in and driven off. What’s more, insurers are within their rights not to pay out because they can argue the drivers haven’t taken sufficient care of their possessions. Never leave your vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition!
So how do you get clear those windows quickly?
Cleaning Supplies 2U have a great solution for you.
We have launched a new product in our Cleaning Chemicals range of Automotive products.
The Mirius A3 De-Icer quickly and easily removes snow and ice from vehicle windscreens and windows. It does not smear and comes, ready to use, in a handy sprayer.
Manufactured by Mirius Limited of Coventry, the ‘Super Professional’ range of cleaning chemicals includes the highly effective A3 De-Icer.
Environmental concerns?
Biodegradability – All surfactants used in ‘Super Professional’ products comply with current European regulations concerning biodegradability and protection of the environment.
Be prepared for Bad Weather
Keep a De-Icer in your car at all times. Snow and ice can arrive at any time or any place – even while you are working, shopping or out visiting or socialising. Finding your de-icer is at home won’t be any help then!
Also remember to keep your washer bottle topped up with winter screen wash.
A clear windscreen is a legal requirement so remember: Can’t see? – Don’t drive!
Mirius A3 De-Icer only £1.99 from Cleaning Supplies 2U
