'Effective' car de-icing hack goes viral but expert warns it could be dangerous
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The UK has been grappling with snow and freezing temperatures recently, leading to school closures, cancelled public transport services, and residents having to clear mounds of snow from their doorsteps. As we trudge through a bleak start to 2025, people are cranking up their car heaters and seeking quick ways to de-ice their vehicles.
A particular trick has gained viral attention, but an expert has issued a warning about its potential risks. One person claimed they had spent a considerable amount of time trying to remove ice from their car until they discovered that filling a carrier bag with hot water could help.
A viral video on their @ronidoggies5 page showed them rubbing a Tesco carrier bag filled with hot water across their windscreen, causing the ice to vanish instantly. "The dog is even impressed," she quipped, assuring viewers that the trick genuinely works.
However, experts at Windscreen Wipers have outlined the dos and don'ts of de-icing your windscreen this winter. While the viral trick seemed to work for @ronidoggies5, the experts pointed out some potential hazards. They warned: "Using water of any temperature to de-ice windscreens is not advised. Hot water will cause the glass to expand, which can result in it cracking or even shattering, and cold water can freeze on top of existing ice and frost. Both methods can damage your windscreen, sometimes beyond repair.".
Motorists beware, as chilly weather approaches, a frost-covered windscreen can often be an unwelcome morning hurdle. Car experts are now warning drivers about a widely-shared hack suggesting the use of hot water in a sandwich bag to de-ice their screens.
