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DRIVERS have discovered a “life-changing” trick to clear ice from their frozen windscreens using just three household essentials.
The handy hack relies on a nifty bit of chemistry to bust the frost and prevent it from coming back.
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Americans are bracing for a brutal cold spell this week, as the National Weather Service predicts temperatures in the far north could drop below 0.
Snow and ice are set to blanket large segments of the nation, potentially leading to disruption.
One of the most irritating aspects of the cold weather for drivers, though, is waking up to find their windshield completely frosted over.
Failing to clear it is clearly dangerous and can lead to hefty fines, so most motorists are left with no choice but to hack away at it with an ice scraper.
This is exactly the scenario that WBKR radio host Chadwick Benefield found himself in outside his home in western Kentucky.
The DJ recalled: “While I don’t necessarily mind the cold weather during the course of the day, I do mind it in the mornings.
“See, I host a morning radio show and get up before the sun does.
“I wake up at 4am each weekday and am in my driveway to head to work by 5am.
“This morning, I went to get into my car- Fred the Fusion- and noticed that his windshield was frosted over.”
Having agonizingly forgotten his gloves as well, Chadwick was forced to stand out in the freezing cold trying to clear his view just to get into work.
However, after sharing the story on air, he revealed that a listener had come forward to share their ultra-effective windshield clearing secret.
He explained: “I shared the story of my adventure on the air and a listener friend called in with some advice.
“She shared a ridiculously easy, but effective life hack that involves a spray bottle, some water and some rubbing alcohol.
“According to her, it works every single time.
“It’s so effective that she even gives her kids spray bottles for their cars.”
The hack works thanks to some remarkably simple school-level chemistry.
As any science fan knows, water turns to ice at 32F – this is known as its freezing point.
But other liquids have very different freezing points and alcohol’s is much lower.
Ethanol alcohol freezes at a whopping -173F and by mixing it with the ice, you effectively lower the water’s freezing point too.
Simply mix together some rubbing alcohol and a small quantity of water in a spray bottle and spritz your windshield liberally.
The ice should begin to melt within a few second and, at the very least, be easier to scrape off.
Even better, you can also use the mix as a preventative tactic.
Spray down the windshield the night before and you should find a heavily reduced amount of freezing, if any, when you wake up.
