Motorists are being urged to use clever methods from social media to clear their windscreens and mirrors of snow and ice, as they could deal with expensive repairs by using certain tips.
The majority of drivers across the UK are dealing with near-freezing temperatures as a cold snap sweeps over the nation.
Road users are also waking up to their cars covered in condensation, frost and potentially even snow.
While some will be happy to see the winter weather kicking in, others will face a longer journey by spending time to ensure their car is clear of any obstruction.
Drivers should always have a bottle of de-icer and an ice scraper in the winter
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Drivers are consistently warned to ensure they have de-icer and an ice scraper in their cars in case of any cold weather, although not everyone will be as prepared.
Motorists on social media have been sharing their best frost hacks to make their lives easier, including making use of a bath towel.
One TikTok user shared a simple tip to cover the car windscreen in a large bath towel. This causes the cold temperatures to chill the towel, rather than the windscreen.
It may feel slightly stiff in the morning, but the bath towel should prevent any frost or ice from sticking to the windscreens.
Drivers can also make use of sandwich bags to clear frost. By filling a bag with warm water and dragging it over the windscreen, the heat should quickly clear their view.
This can also be done with bags from the supermarkets, although drivers are urged not to use a “bag for life”, as the pointed and rough edges could scratch the windscreen.
Tips like this have been promoted further in recent years as experts warn of the dangers people face when pouring boiling water over their windscreens.
The rapid temperature change can cause the windscreen and mirrors to warp and potentially shatter, causing hundreds of pounds of damage.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at Cinch, has called on drivers to make use of the tips as it could help them save time and money in the morning.
He said: “Sometimes, it can be easy for drivers to cut corners and rely on risky solutions to clear their frosted windscreens.
“If you’re used to pouring boiling or hot water on your icy windows, you may want to ditch this habit and explore alternative methods.
“Boiling water can cause serious splits and cracks when in contact with cold glass.”
The expert also highlighted the risk for drivers if they scrape ice off with a rough-edged object, like a card or CD, which could cause damage to the windscreen.
Other tips have also become more popular, even if they are slightly bizarre. People have started filling spray bottles with three cups of vinegar and one glass of water.
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Drivers must ensure their vehicles are clear of frost and snow before they set off
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It is said that the 3:1 ratio helps to decrease the freezing point of the solution, with drivers encouraged to spray the mixture over their windscreen.
After a few minutes, the solution should get to work and drivers will be able to see the frost and ice begin to melt and break.
