Household items to help de-ice your car in seconds

Drivers are being told how to de-ice their car in seconds by using common household items such as lemons and salt.

Motoring experts at LeaseCar.uk have identified seven items to help free vehicles from stubborn ice shards.

De-icing a car is one of the most tedious tasks for drivers to deal with over winter, causing many of us to be late for work or miss appointments.

While ice scrapers can help remove some of the surface-level shards, it can take around 20 minutes to remove the problem entirely.

However, the time can be shortened by using staple cupboard items such as lemons, onions and white vinegar.

Tim Alcock, from LeaseCar.uk said: “With temperatures taking a sharp dip, many of us are having to face the burden of de-icing the car in the morning.

“But using an ice scraper to clear the vehicle can have you standing for 15 to 20 minutes which can be a nightmare when you’re on a tight schedule.

“That’s why we suggest using typical household products like lemons, salt and onions which can help defrost windscreens.”

Here are seven household items to help de-ice cars quickly:

1 Lemons

The citric acid in lemons can help break down the ice barrier. Squeeze the juice onto the windshield, then rinse it off with lukewarm water and wipe off the shards with the lemon itself.

2 Sandwich bags

A ziplock sandwich bag filled with lukewarm water can help remove ice in seconds. Don’t use piping hot water otherwise your windshield could crack.

3 Salt

Sprinkling salt onto the windscreen will help to dissolve the ice with a chemical reaction without causing any cracks. For mirrors, put the salt on a sponge and soak it in warm water before wiping.

4 Onions

Chop a brown onion in half and rub it across the windscreen at night to prevent a thick layer of ice from sticking.

5 Alcohol

Use Isopropyl alcohol to clear the ice and rub the screen with a microfibre cloth. Vodka can also help as an instant de-icer.

6 White vinegar solution

A mixture of white vinegar and distilled water mixed in a spray can help prevent ice from forming in the first place the night before.

7 Warm towels 

A warm, damp towel can help quickly remove thicker pieces of ice on the windshield without damaging the car.