Homemade de-icer spray with three kitchen objects to clear frost 'within a minute'

Detailed summary

Garage specialists at Formula One Autocentres have previously stressed that motorists can make a spray from the comfort of their own home. By mixing three ingredients together,…

Motorists have been told how to make a homemade de-icer spray using just three common kitchen staples as temperatures drop across the UK. The winter weather has already begun, with temperatures plummeting below freezing as the first frost of the year hits hard. With temperatures dropping as low as -1 in parts of the UK on Saturday night, motorists might be waking up on Sunday to their vehicle completely covered in frost.

The Highway Code makes clear that road users must clear their entire windscreen of ice before setting off, meaning a de-icer is crucial. However, some road users may not have the right products to hand, making it harder to completely clear a windscreen to set off on the road.

Garage specialists at Formula One Autocentres have previously stressed that motorists can make a spray from the comfort of their own home. By mixing three ingredients together, rubbing alcohol, water and washing-up liquid, drivers could make a solution that can clear frost cover in no time at all.

Formula One Autocentres said: “A spray de-icer works quickly, melting ice within a minute or so. You can also make your own de-icer by mixing 2 parts rubbing alcohol with 1 part water and adding a few drops of washing-up liquid.”

Even those who don’t have the ingredients should be able to pick these up at any local shop, meaning it is much more accessible for those in a hurry than traditional de-icer spray.

Carwow admitted that some mild alcohol-based mixes can actually help shift frost in a pinch. However, they warned that road users face a challenge in getting the balance right, with specialists warning that DIY sprays still pose some risks.

Carwow explained: “Products like vinegar, washing-up liquid, or rubbing alcohol aren't designed for car surfaces. Too strong a mix can dry out rubber seals around doors and windows, leave streaky residue on glass, or even affect paintwork over time. Replacing seals can cost £80 to £150, and paint repairs vary depending on the damage.

“Proper car…

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