Maintaining a car windshield that looks spick and span is something that many of us struggle with on a day-to-day basis. Between hectic workweeks, a plethora of errands to run, and/or rowdy kids to attend to, keeping up a clean windshield more often than not gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. Given the fact that having a clear field of vision is essential to safe driving, this is a major cause for concern. If you’ve ever let the dirt and grime on your car windshield get out of hand, that will no longer be the case after today. Here’s everything you need to know about how you can easily clean your car windshield!

Why You Should Keep Your Car Windshield Clean

Before getting into the nitty-gritty details on all things windshield cleaning related, it’s important first to establish why keeping your windshield clean is well worth the extra time. The most obvious reason to keep your car windshield clean is for safety purposes. You can only have a clear view of the road and, in turn, an awareness of what’s going on with other vehicles and pedestrians if your windshield is free of any unwanted elements.

Another good reason to maintain a clean car windshield is that cleaning your windshield increases the longevity of it. Dirty windshields are prone to getting damaged by small cracks or chips. These cracks can spread and get even larger if they are left to their own accord. 

Cleaning The Exterior of Windshields

The exterior of your windshield is definitely the part that bears the brunt of all the dirt, debris, and bird droppings. As the car’s protecting agent, the outside of your windshield should be regularly cleaned. Here are some of the best ways to get rid of common problems that affect the exterior side of windshields:

• Microfiber Towels: Microfiber towels are great at getting rid of streaks because of their tight weave. Simply dampen your microfiber towel, fold the cloth, and wipe your windshield down in a single motion.
•  Detailing Clay: To get rid of stubborn stains that don’t want to budge, invest in some detailing clay. This elastic compound can get into small crevices that are invisible to the human eye. Work the detailing clay into small sections of your windshield and clean in a back and forth motion. 
• Newspaper and Cleaning Solution: Sometimes turning to old cleaning solutions is all it takes, and newspaper is a tried-and-true method of windshield cleaning. The ink and paper are a light abrasive that effectively remove dirt and grime. Squirt the cleaning solution of your choice and wipe down your windshield in circular motions until it’s spotless.

Cleaning The Interior of Windshields

The inside of your windshield may not get as dirty as the outside, but that doesn’t mean you can skip cleaning it altogether. The thin layer of grime that accumulates on the interior of your windshield over time can also reduce your visibility while driving. Here are a few of the best ways to clean your windshield’s interior:

• Paper Towel and an Alcohol-Based Cleaner: Alcohol-based cleaner that’s free of ammonia is a great liquid to use to loosen grease and grime from your windshield. Grab some paper towel and scrub the alcohol-based cleaner around until your windshield is dry to the touch.
• Magic Erasers: Magic Erasers are great at getting rid of build-up on the inside of windows and can remove even the toughest stuck-on residue. Spray your Magic Eraser with a bit of water, then gently wipe your windshield to get rid of grime. Once all the residue has been removed, use a damp cloth to get rid of chemicals the Magic Eraser may have left behind.

Whatever your preferred method of cleaning your windshield is, all that really matters is that you don’t let it get to the point where it interferes with your ability to drive. That being said, the cracks and chips in your windshield can also hinder your ability to drive, and they should be taken care of sooner rather than later.  At North Auto Glass, we specialize windshield repairs and windshield replacements. No matter the type of vehicle you have, our auto glass experts can make your windshield as good as new. Contact us today to get a free quote!

Having to deal with a foggy windshield is something every driver has encountered at one point or another, and when wintertime rolls around this problem becomes a persistent one for Canadians. Not only are foggy windows annoying to deal with, but they are also a safety hazard that needs to be dealt with swiftly in order to have an unobstructed view of the road. Thankfully, clearing foggy car windshields is something car experts have down to a science and today we’re going to be going over everything you need to know about how to defog your windshield.

Why Windshields Fog in the Winter

The fog that forms on a windshield is actually water vapour that has condensed on the inside of the glass. This phenomenon can occur in both warm and cold climates and it takes place when water vapour in the air falls below or above dew point, the atmospheric temperature at which dew droplets form. In winter specifically, this tends to happen when the temperature inside your car is warmer than the outside. The inside of your car becomes much more humid than the outside due to your body heat and moisture from your breath, while the air outside is much drier. These opposing states create the perfect condition for moisture to condense on your windshield and fog to form.  

How to Keep Windshield from Fogging

There are a few preventative measures you can take to stop your windows from fogging in the first place:

·       Stomp off the snow on your boots: Any moisture that makes its way into your car will turn into condensation once dew point hits so try to minimize the amount that gets inside.

·       Keep your windows clean: Frequently giving your windshield a good wipe down will reduce the amount of dust and oil that water can cling to and prevent the glass from steaming up.

·       Dehumidifier: A car dehumidifier works wonders when it comes to removing moisture from the air and minimizing the amount of fog that forms.

·       Anti-fog coating: This handy treatment reduces the surface tension of water droplets and effectively disperses them into an invisible thin sheet that’s fog-free.

How to Defog Windshield

There’s nothing worse than walking out to your car in the morning only to discover the windshield is already completely fogged up, especially if you’re crunched for time. Here are the steps you should take to defog your windshield as quickly as possible:

1. Crank the heat: Put the heat on its maximum setting. Hot air can hold more moisture than cool air.

2. Turn on the AC: As the cool air passes over the cooling coils, it will pull moisture from the air.

3. Turn off the recirculation button: This will allow colder, dryer air to be brought inside your car.

4. Crack your windows: If your windows aren’t frozen shut, crack them a bit so that some of the humid air inside your car can be exchanged for the dryer air outside.

How to Clean Windshield Haze

If you still can’t see clearly out of your window after you’ve tackled all the frost on it – you probably have windshield haze. Windshield haze is a buildup of smoke residue that can be caused by pollutants in the environment and/or your car’s engine. To get rid of haze on your car’s windshield, do the following:

1. Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

2. Put towels over your dashboard to prevent drips from the solution from getting on it.

3. Spray the inside of your windshield with the vinegar mixture.

4. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe your windshield clean.

Putting these tips and tricks into practice is a surefire way to keep your windshield free of fog and other elements that reduce your ability to see clearly. With one less thing to worry about, driving this winter will be much more enjoyable!

Why North Auto Glass

North York Auto Glass is a locally-owned auto glass shop that offers the most affordable windshield repairs and windshield replacements in the region. Our certified auto glass technicians can fix windshield issues on all vehicle makes and models and we waive up to 100% of your insurance deductible. Contact us today to get the best of the best auto glass repair and auto glass replacement services! 

Winter is officially here and the next few months will be filled with plenty of below zero days, snow, slush, and, worst of all, ice. Braving the elements at this time of year is no laughing matter, and ice, in particular, can wreak havoc on your car’s windshield. If you’re looking to remove ice from your windshield in an efficient and effective manner this winter, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get ice off a windshield.

How to Prevent Ice on Windshield

Knowing ways you can prevent ice from getting on a windshield is just as important as being informed on how to remove it. If you can save yourself the effort of having to get ice off your windshield and stop it dead in its tracks, why wouldn’t you? Here are some methods you can use to do just that:

·       Salt Water: Spraying your windshield with saltwater at night will prevent ice from forming since this liquid freezes at a lower temperature than normal water.

·       Rubbing Alcohol: Drizzling a solution of two parts alcohol and one part water on your windshield at night will also prevent ice from making its way onto your windshield for the same reason as saltwater.

·       Vinegar Spray: If you don’t have saltwater or rubbing alcohol handy, applying a mix of three parts vinegar and one part water will have the same effect as the previous two methods.

·       Windshield Cover: Windshield covers are an ingenious invention that prevents ice from forming on your windshield and protects your windshield from scratches and cracks.

·       Car Mat: Although car mats may not cover your entire windshield, they effectively protect it from the elements and prohibit ice from forming on your windshield.

If you’re wondering how to keep frost off a windshield, all of these methods effectively work against frost too!

How to Get Ice Off a Windshield Without a Scraper

A scraper has been the tool of choice for most Canadians to get ice off their windshield for quite some time now, but let’s face it – manually scraping the ice off your windshield is a lot of work! If you want to put your scraper away this winter and save yourself the extra labour, here a few other methods you can use to get ice off your windshield (and how to get frost off a windshield while you’re at it):

1. Home-Made Isopropyl Solution

A home-made isopropyl solution of 2 parts alcohol and 1 part water can easily melt down both the ice and frost on your windshield. This is because the freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celcius, the freezing point of isopropyl alcohol is -88 degrees Celcius, and the freezing point of the mixture is -11.67 degrees Celcius.

Simply create the mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water in a spray bottle, let the engine of your car warm-up for 10 minutes, turn on your defogger, and spritz the isopropyl solution onto your windshield. After a few minutes, the ice should come right off!

2. Store-Bought De-Icing Fluid

Alternatively, you could use a store-bought de-icing fluid to tackle the ice on your windshield. Store-bought fluid works in a similar way to the isopropyl solution and should be applied in the same manner. The only real difference between the two is that the store-bought solution typically contains propylene glycol or ethylene glycol as well as thickening agents, wetting agents, UV-sensitive dye, colours, and corrosion inhibitors. You also don’t have to take the time to make it yourself!

There you have it – all the ins and outs of how to remove ice from a windshield. Now you’re all set to get through the winter and keep your windshield ice-free! And if your windshield ends up getting nicks and cracks in it once winter is all said and done, North Auto Glass can help with that.

At North Auto Glass, we specialize in windshield repairs and windshield replacements, and we pride ourselves on providing the most affordable auto glass rates in the region. We back up all our auto glass replacements with a Lifetime Warranty so you can rest easy knowing your vehicle will be taken care of no matter what winter throws at it. Contact us today and take advantage of our top-of-the-line auto glass repair and auto glass replacement services!