With the Met Office forecasting a sharp drop in temperatures this week, drivers across England are being urged to try some unconventional methods to combat morning ice on their vehicles. Experts from Lotus Car Rentals have shared a series of surprising, kitchen-cupboard hacks to prevent frost from forming and to save precious minutes on chilly mornings.
Kitchen Cupboard Solutions to a Frosty Problem
Alexander Haraldsson, a cold driving expert and CEO of Lotus Car Rentals, recommends a simple spray made from water and vinegar. "Spray your windscreen with a solution of water and vinegar, which should help prevent your car from getting really icy," he advises. The logic is sound: vinegar has a much lower freezing point than water, so it stops moisture from settling and freezing solid on the glass.
But vinegar isn't the only household item that can help. Alexander also suggests using vodka. "You can also use alcohol. Vodka makes it the perfect de-icer, just mix vodka and water, and spray all over your car." For a more potent homemade de-icing spray, he recommends mixing rubbing alcohol with half a teaspoon of washing-up liquid, shaking it, and applying it to the windscreen and all windows.
The Potato Hack and Strategic Parking
In a tip borrowed from social media, Alexander highlights the power of vegetables. "Taken from the popular TikTok hack, you can cut a potato or onion in half and rub it on your windows the day before to stop them from freezing completely over." The natural sugars in these vegetables break down frost as it begins to form.
Another simple yet effective strategy requires no ingredients at all, just a bit of forethought. "A very quick and simple tip to give you an extra 10 minutes in bed in the morning is to park your car facing east," says Alexander. "As the sun rises in the east, any ice on your windscreen will melt away, reducing the time needed to scrape."
Safe and Quick Ice Removal Techniques
For ice that has already formed, Alexander advocates for a gentle, rapid technique to avoid damage. "Pour warm water into a freezer or sandwich bag and move it across your windscreen and windows to melt the ice," he instructs. "This will get rid of the ice in seconds and prevent any scratching or damage to windows." He strongly cautions against using boiling water, which can cause thermal shock and crack the glass.
As a big problem with ice sweeps England this week, these expert tips offer drivers practical, low-cost ways to tackle the frost. From vinegar sprays to strategic parking, a little preparation can make winter mornings far less stressful and much quicker.
