IF you’re struggling to clear your frosty windscreen on icy mornings, a simple 30p fruit could be the key to speeding up your de-icing routine.
An expert has revealed that the citric acid in lemons can break down ice on car windows in seconds.
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All you need to do is squeeze half a lemon onto the icy surface, then rinse it away with a splash of tepid water.
The hack is part of a range of household tricks shared by motoring experts at LeaseLoco.com to tackle freezing winter mornings.
But lemons aren’t the only everyday item that can help tackle the winter chill.
A simple saltwater spray can also do the trick.
Mixing salt and water in a spray bottle creates a solution that generates heat and lowers the freezing point of water, melting the ice efficiently.
While de-icing salt works best, regular table salt can also work in a pinch.
To prevent ice from forming in the first place, onions or potatoes might be the unexpected heroes you need.
Rubbing half an onion or potato over your car windows the night before creates a barrier that stops ice from sticking.
Their natural compounds work wonders in freezing conditions, saving time and effort the following morning.
For a quick fix on frosty mornings, a viral TikTok hack suggests using a sandwich bag filled with lukewarm water.
Dragging the bag across your icy windows melts frost instantly without the mess of sprays or scrapers.
Similarly, vinegar can be used as a preventative measure.
Mixing vinegar and water in a spray bottle and applying it to your windows the night before helps stop ice from forming, thanks to the vinegar’s acidity lowering water’s freezing point.
If you’re willing to dig into your summer stash, beach towels can also come to the rescue.
Cover your windscreen with a towel at night, tucking the edges into the car doors.
By morning, the towel will have absorbed any frost, leaving your glass clear and ready to go.
Another handy tip involves a rubbing alcohol spray.
Combining two parts isopropyl alcohol with one part water and a dash of dish soap creates a powerful de-icing mixture.
Simply spray it onto your windscreen and scrape away any stubborn frost, but be cautious to avoid getting the mixture on your car’s paintwork.
John Wilmot, CEO of LeaseLoco, said: “De-icing your car can feel like a tedious task, especially when you’re in a rush.
“These hacks use items you probably already have at home to make life that little bit easier.”
As temperatures plummet this January, these quick and cost-effective solutions could save you precious time in the mornings—and spare you from frozen fingers.
So, if you’ve got a lemon rolling around in your kitchen, it might just be your new winter driving hero.
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