Defrosting your windscreen

Posted 4 July, 2026 Jeremy Rochow

Those cold winter mornings have arrived in SA, and on occasion you might wake up to ice on your windscreen.

While it might be tempting to pour hot water over the windscreen, leave the kettle in the kitchen where it belongs. It can crack the windscreen leaving you with a nasty repair bill.

Instead, follow a few simple tips to clear the ice before you leave the driveway.

1. Start your car

Sounds straightforward, but starting your car and turning on the heater will help melt the ice on your windscreen. Begin with cooler air before turning the heater up to avoid sudden temperature changes that may damage the glass.

2. Use a de-icing solution

Buy some de-icing solution from the store and spray it on your windscreen. Avoid homemade concoctions – while they may melt the ice, they could also be corrosive to your car’s glass, paint, plastics and other delicate surfaces.

No de-icing solution on hand? You can use a little bit of room-temperature water to loosen the ice.

3. Give it a scrape

Use a plastic scraper or soft-bristled brush to gently scrape the ice off your windscreen. Don’t use anything metal, like a knife, as it could scratch the windscreen.

Avoid improvising an ice scraper. Keep the credit card in your wallet; it might seem like a good idea, but store-bought ice scrapers have a larger scraping area and handle so they’re easier to use.

4. Wipe it away

Once the ice is loose, use your windscreen wipers to clear any remaining slush or water. Don’t be tempted to use your wipers when the windscreen is icy as it could damage the blades.

Prevention better than the cure

If you want to avoid waking up to an icy windscreen, try to park your car in the garage or undercover whenever possible. If you’re unable to park undercover, try a windscreen cover or park facing the east so the sun will begin to melt the ice.