How To Make Clearing Your Windscreen Easy – and Enjoy Better Visibility!
As the more inclement weather settles in to disrupt our routines, we’ve gathered our top tips to help you.
We’re already halfway through October, and the season of change is in full swing. The days are shorter, and noticeably wetter. If you’ve found yourself using your wipers more often, you’re not alone.
The autumn and winter months commonly bring with them fallen leaves, increased rainfall, and other debris to contend with. That’s why we’re sharing our advice to help you keep your windscreen clear.
Removing leaves from your windscreen
While often a desirable sight to autumn enthusiasts, leaves covering your windscreen can be irksome. They can easily collect at the base of your windscreen and cover your wipers or stick to the glass when wet.
So, what’s the best way to remove them? You may consider using a brush or broom to sweep them away, but this could scratch or damage the surface of the windscreen.
Instead, carefully pick the leaves off your windscreen one by one and try to keep them in one piece. You can then give your windscreen a good clean if there are any imprints left behind using car glass cleaner or hot water and car shampoo.
To prevent leaves from collecting on your car’s windscreen, try to avoid parking under trees. You can also use car wax for added protection to deter any future stains. Make sure to clean your windscreen regularly also to avoid build-ups.
Clearing frost away quickly
As the temperatures dip from autumn onwards, you might even notice frost on your windscreen. It’s perhaps everyone’s worst dread when opening their curtains on a chilly morning. Not everyone has the luxury of a heated windscreen, so what’s the best way to clear frost and ice?
There are a few ways you can quickly and easily clear frost from your windscreen before starting your journey. Whatever you do, do not pour boiling or hot water onto your windscreen. This ill-advised tip can actually weaken or damage the glass on your windscreen, resulting in a costly replacement.
Instead, switch on the engine, turn on the hot air and direct your front air vents towards your windscreen. Turning on the air-conditioning can still also help to clear your windows, removing moisture to prevent mist.
It should only take a couple of minutes for your windscreen to start clearing, so give yourself plenty extra time before setting off. It’s important to only do so when you’re confident you can see clearly.
General cleaning tips
Cleaning your windscreen should be a regular part of your vehicle’s care and maintenance. By cleaning it regularly, you can prevent thick build-ups of dirt and grime that can prove more difficult to remove.
So, how about some general cleaning tips for keeping your windscreen clear?
- Use a good, smear-free glass or car cleaner – paired with a sponge or microfibre cloth, this will ensure better cleaning results.
- Use a chamois cloth for drying – made from leather, these help to absorb water and moisture when cleaning for a streak-free finish.
- Clean your windscreen wipers regularly – use hot soapy water and a microfibre cloth to carefully clean the length of the blade. This will prevent trapped dirt or debris from being swept across your windscreen.
- Top up your windscreen washer fluid – after all, you can’t clean your windscreen on the go without good-quality washer fluid!
- Replace your windscreen wipers – if your current wipers are old, damaged or not cleaning properly, it’s time for a replacement. Check out our guide to finding the correct wipers for your vehicle.
Tip: How do you know when your windscreen wipers need replacing? If you notice one of these signs.
Order your replacement windscreen wipers
We hope you found this blog useful and feel well-prepared to keep a clear windscreen – no matter what the weather brings.
Ready to shop for your replacement wipers? Browse our collection of top brands including BOSCH, MICHELIN, Valeo, Lucas and more. What’s more, save 5% when you buy two wipers!
Use our handy vehicle search tool to shop windscreen wipers guaranteed to fit your vehicle. Then, when you’re ready to fit, watch our helpful fitting guide videos for your wipers to help you fit them in minutes.