Defroster or ice scraper? Methods for cleaning windows from snow

Find out the best way to clear snow and ice from your car windows. Pros and cons of defrosting and cleaning.

Frozen glass in winter is a torment for many drivers. Especially when time is short in the morning and you need to get to work as soon as possible. We warn you against ignoring a thorough window cleaning.

See also: car window cleaning guide

When the road is slippery, it is very important to respond quickly and adequately to various unforeseen situations. Without good visibility, it is impossible to notice even a pedestrian crossing the road in time, and the tragedy is not complicated.

See also: Auto glass and wipers - what you need to remember before winter

Snow and ice must be cleared not only from the entire windshield, but also from the side and rear windows. Do not underestimate the latter, because when changing lanes it is easy not to notice the car coming from behind, not to mention the difficulties with reversing. It is worth taking advantage of the rear window heating function, which is slowly becoming a standard in cars moving on Polish roads. And also from the heating of the windshield, which is still not regular.

There are two ways to clean car windows from snow or ice:

- scraping

- defrost.

Both have their pros and cons, which we write about below. We do not recommend scratching the ice with an ATM card - this is inefficient and, most importantly, impractical, because the card is easily damaged.

See also: Replacing car wipers - when, why and for how much

Glass scraping - advantages

* Presence of scrapers

We can get window scrapers everywhere. In every auto accessories store or hypermarket, we will definitely have several types of scrapers to choose from: smaller, larger, complete with a brush, in a warm glove.

An ice scraper and a snow brush are indispensable elements of a car's winter equipment.

* Price

Common window scrapers are usually added to purchases free of charge - for example, oil, working fluids, etc. They usually cost from 2 to 5 zł. Together with a brush or a glove, the price is about PLN 12-15.

* Durability

Unlike de-icers, where you have to pay attention to the expiration date, when buying a scraper - of course - we do not bother with this. As long as the plastic on the back is not cracked or damaged, the scraper will easily serve us all winter. We don't need to worry that it will suddenly wear out and it will be useless to clean the windows.

* Time

If there is a thick layer of ice on the glass, we can quickly remove it with a scraper. No waiting. The effect of the scrapers will not be affected even by a strong wind that interferes with the spraying of defrosters.

See also: Preparing a car for winter: what to check, what to replace (PHOTO)

Glass scraping - disadvantages

* Damaged seals

Be careful when removing ice from seals. Driving over them with great force with the sharp edge of the scraper may cause damage.

* Possibility to scratch the glass

Theoretically, a plastic scraper should not hurt, but professionals advise caution.

“I am against scratching because there is a risk of scratching the glass,” says Adam Murawski from Auto-Szyby in Białystok. - Enough to get under the scraper even a small pebble.

* Possible damage to the wipers

When cleaning windows in a hurry, we most often do not remove all the ice and its particles will remain on the glass. Driving on uneven ground with the wipers will wear the blades faster.

* Trouble

Cleaning windows thoroughly with an ice scraper can sometimes take several minutes and require some effort.

See also: How to start a car in cold weather? Guide

Window defrost - benefits

* Comfort

Defrosters - in a spray or spray - an alternative to annoying window cleaning. Comfort in their use is the main advantage. It is enough to spray the windows and calmly warm up in the car until they complete their task. After that, it is enough to run a scraper or brush over the glass several times to clean it of ice residues. If, by the way, we have electric heating of the windshield in our car, then we won’t have to wait long for the results.

When choosing a deicer, it is better to buy a liquid one (atomizer), because it does not leave streaks.

“We are talking about average quality de-icers, not very cheap,” emphasizes Adam Volosovich, master of the Top Auto service located in Krupniki near Bialystok. - And in the aerosol they can leave stains that can only be removed by thoroughly washing the windshield. It is also worth noting that aerosol products lose their functional properties when the temperature drops.

* Action speed

If there is a thin layer of ice on the windows, defrosters work quickly.

* No damage to glass seals

We don't have to make sure the defroster doesn't accidentally come into contact with the seal. The scraper, as we already mentioned, can damage the rubber elements.

* Don't worry about glass scratches

Using windshield defrosters, you will definitely not scratch it.

* Accuracy

The effect of using a de-icer can be seen with the naked eye. It is much easier than after using the scraper - before turning on the wipers - to see if all the sprayed glass has coarse permafrost with sharp tips that can destroy feathers.

See also: Protect your car before winter

Defrosting windows - disadvantages

* Price

“We will pay PLN 6-8 for a half-liter package,” says Witold Rogowski, an expert from the ProfiAuto.pl network. – Remember that if you use the de-icer every day, it will last for about a week.

* Long service life

We are talking about a situation where there is thick ice on the glass. Let's not expect miracles. Sometimes you may even have to wait a few minutes for the desired effect.

* Problems with strong wind

It is enough that it blows stronger outside, but there may be a problem with the atomizer - the jet will be directed to the sides. You then need to bring the container closer to the glass surface, which in turn will cause the amount of de-icer to rapidly decrease. Sprayer is easier to use than spray.

* Validity

Like any car cosmetics, defroster also has an expiration date. You have to be careful when storing large quantities of these products in the garage, because next winter the expiration date may be exceeded. 

* Parcel size

Medium defroster is another oversized bottle that we keep in the trunk that takes up space for us there - next to the oil for filling, washer fluid, spare tire, tool kit, etc.  

See also: Car battery - how to buy and when? Guide

The safest solution seems to be to spray the windows with de-icer first, and after a dozen or so seconds or a few minutes (in case of severe frost) scrape the dissolved ice with a scraper.

Air consumption

A good idea to keep your windshield from freezing is to cover it at night with, for example, sunscreen. As a result, only the side windows remain to be washed.

However, whether he's waiting in the car for the de-icer to work or cleaning the windows, it's good to start the engine and turn on the windshield defroster. You can immediately use full power - the air will gradually warm up. You should not do it in such a way as to first warm your feet, and then direct a stream of hot air to the frosted glass - you can damage it. 

frozen castle

In winter, the problem is not only in frozen windows. It happens that access to the car is hindered by a frozen lock. And in this case, auto chemical manufacturers come to the rescue - they offer de-icers. We will pay PLN 5-10 for a small package.

See also: Shock absorbers - how and why you should take care of them. Guide

Rafal Witkowski from KAZ, distributor of automotive oils and cosmetics: – I would recommend using aerosol lubricants to prevent freezing of locks. Such products cost from PLN 12 per 100 ml.

Text and photo: Piotr Walchak