Drivers warned about popular defrosting hack which can cause a lot of damage

Although you may be in a rush to clear your windscreen when Jack Frost has been out to play, some hacks can do more harm than good.

We all want to defrost our cars as quickly as possible on the cold mornings and sometimes blasting the heating just doesn't cut it.

Sitting on your freezing seat while waiting for the windscreen to defog is a special kind of purgatory only drivers can understand.

So it's no wonder that we're tempted to try out some of the tips and tricks we see online that promise to thaw our vehicles as quickly as possible.

We're all well aware pouring hot water on a windscreen is a big no no, as the rapid temperature change can cause the glass to crack.

But some supposedly savvy drivers came up with an alternative that claims to minimise the risk - however, it can still cause serious damage to your motor.

Dorry Potter, an expert at National Scrap Car, explained how there was one particular trick that isn’t such a great idea - despite the fact you’ve probably seen it all over TikTok.

Getty Stock Image

She urged motorists to be wary of falling for the hack where people fill a ziplock bag or sandwich bag with hot or boiling water, before rubbing it over the windscreen.

You may think the plastic bag offers a degree of protection, but it still has the potential to harm your car.

Speaking to The Express, Potter said that this also causes ‘cracks’ in the glass, which can get worse over time.

"A hack that circulates every year is using warm water in a zip lock bag and rubbing it on the windscreen,” she said.

"Motorists are advised to be cautious when applying anything heated to their windscreen as the dramatic change in temperature can cause small cracks to appear in the glass which can cause the screen to shatter when another bout of frost arrives.”

Potter warned against another method, too, continuing: "Drivers should never use boiling water either. Similarly, homemade concoctions should be used with care too.

"Using items such as a potato or onion to clear frost could leave smears or a residue on the screen which in turn could reduce the driver’s visibility, making it just as dangerous as frost to drive. It may be more sensible to stick with a deicing spray instead."

TikTok/@dashgnatyuk

Potter thinks your best bet is to use a windscreen cover, which helps protect your vehicle from frost overnight.

She said: "As temperatures drop the stress of heading out on time due to a frosty car is soon approaching, so it is important for motorists to make sure they are prepared ahead of time.

"One of the best 'hacks' for defrosting windscreens is to prevent the frost from forming on it in the first place.

"Using a windscreen cover will protect the windscreen from frost meaning that there is no need for scraping first thing.

"Simply place the cover on the windscreen in the evening and remove before heading off in the morning.”

The expert added: "Cardboard, an old towel or sheet can also work but risk being moved by wind, wet weather or just not being held in place properly.

"Something that could also help is making sure your car is parked out of the shade and ideally facing the East, this means that when the sun rises in the morning it will begin to naturally defrost your car.

"Of course, this is only useful for those that don’t commute super early before the sun has a chance to rise."

Topics: Cars, UK News, Weather, Hacks, TikTok

Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

@livburke_