Car expert says drivers should always rub an onion on their windscreen

Motorists can turn to their kitchens to combat icy windscreens as morning temperatures plummet in the coming months.

Whether it’s using vegetables to deice their vehicles or zip lock bags to warm up their vehicles, there are a number of ingenious hacks to clear your frozen windscreens.

Experts have compiled a list of the best tips and tricks to help you deice your windscreens before setting off in the morning.

Use an onion

Believe it or not, onions are incredibly effective for clearing icy windscreens. They have a similar effect to vinegar – and if you don’t have an onion in your kitchen then potatoes are an equally as effective alternative.

To help drive the frost away, cut an onion or potato in half and rub it all over your car windows and windscreen the night before an anticipated cold spell.

The vegetables begin to break down the frost as soon as it begins to form on the window thanks to their sugar molecules.

Fill a bag with warm water

Another slightly less traditional method for deicing your windscreen is a hack that was first popularised on TikTok. Filling a ziplock bag with warm water and rubbing it over the icy windscreen will defrost the ice almost instantly.

It’s a much safer method than pouring water directly onto your windscreen, as even lukewarm water could potentially lead to costly cracks.

Use the car’s demister

For a more traditional method of removing ice from your windscreen, turn your attention to your car’s fan. Most cars are fitted with front and rear demisters – drivers should turn them on and allow them to melt away any ice.

Then you can use your windscreen wipers to wipe away the leftover water – however, it’s important to wait until the ice has fully melted before using your windscreen wipers. Using the wipers on an icy windscreen will be ineffective and likely damage your car.

Use an ice scraper

Scraping the ice off is a situation where you don’t want to turn to DIY hacks you’ve seen on the internet. Using anything other than a designated car ice scraper will more than likely result in a scratched windscreen and potentially broken object.

A standard car ice scraper is inexpensive and will do a job if drivers are in a rush to get going.

Use a deicing fluid

Deicing fluid is available at most supermarkets and petrol stations and won’t break the bank to buy. It’s useful keeping a bottle in your car for times when you need the ice gone pronto.

There are a number of homemade alternatives such as vinegar and water mixtures, but to get the job done quickly it helps to have a proper bottle to hand.