When your windshield is dirty, you have trouble seeing the road, which can be dangerous. What’s more, when your windscreen is very dirty, it picks up even more of the dashboard’s glare, obstructing your view. At the entrance to a tunnel, it also increases the black hole and you may only have temporary visibility. Here are a few tips to help you avoid these problems. To clean your windscreen, there are dedicated products on the market, but you can also use a natural solution that you make yourself. Here’s how to clean your windscreen effectively to maintain good visibility.
Why clean the inside of your windscreen?
Cleaning the inside of your windshield is essential to maintain optimum visibility and ensure safe driving. A dirty or greasy windshield can reduce visibility, especially at night or in wet weather, which can increase the risk of an accident. What’s more, a clean windshield improves driving comfort and reduces visual fatigue. So it’s important to regularly clean the inside of your windscreen to maintain clear visibility and ensure safe driving.
Why does a windshield get dirty?
There are many reasons why a windshield gets dirty quickly. It can be due to :
- children’s fingerprints
- atmospheric pollution;
- a dog’s nose stuck to the glass;
- sea salt;
- road dust. Thorough cleaning of the exterior windscreen is crucial to remove dirt caused by pollution, insects and other external elements.
But there’s also another little-known factor that’s a major cause of windscreen grime: the car’s interior vinyl or plastic components decompose and evaporate. This phenomenon also leads to the familiar new-car smell. The oblique tilt of the windscreen also generates fumes, and the glass picks up all the oily residues resulting from this phenomenon. It’s crucial to remove all traces, both inside and out, to guarantee impeccable results.
What’s more, the use of an oily cleaner may make matters worse. So it’s important to air the car regularly, so that the fresh air can let the dirt off, as this is the best way to get rid of the plastic fumes. Finally, it’s essential to park the car in a sheltered, shady spot such as a garage, if possible.
The equipment you need to clean your windscreen
To effectively clean the inside of your windscreen, you’ll need a few simple pieces of equipment. Here are the main items you’ll need:
- A cleaning product suitable for interior windows
- A microfiber cloth or chamois to avoid streaking
- Crumpled newspaper to scrub windows
- Soft cloth for wiping windows
- Gloves to protect skin when using aggressive products
It’s important to choose cleaning products that are suitable for interior glass, and to follow the instructions for use to avoid leaving streaks or residues. By using these products, you’ll be able to clean your interior windscreen effectively and streak-free, ensuring optimum visibility and safe driving.
Natural methods for cleaning windscreens
If you want to use a natural solution to clean your windscreen, take a crumpled newspaper and wet it with warm water containing white vinegar. To give you the exact measurements, mix one and a half cups of vinegar with half a cup of water, add a spoonful of washing-up liquid and 8 drops of lemon essential oil, then mix everything in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray on, wiping with a soft, dry cloth. Don’t forget to clean the inside of the windscreen regularly to ensure optimum visibility and driving comfort.
Alternatively, you can wipe the windscreen with a sponge soaked in a solution of half a mustard glass of bicarbonate of soda and a quarter of warm water. Then scrub well and rinse with clean water. The third option is to use Coke. You may find the idea bizarre, but it’s very effective. After that, clean with water to avoid leaving the glass sticky. It also works with sparkling water. For a streak-free windshield, these natural methods are highly effective and protect both surfaces and your skin.
How do I get a clean windscreen inside?
To get your windscreen clean from the inside, fill a bowl with hot water, add a teaspoon of washing-up liquid and a few drops of vinegar, and mix. Then soak a microfiber cloth in the solution and wring it out. Run the damp cloth over the entire inside surface of the windscreen, and if you have trouble reaching the corners, use a coat hanger to push the cloth into difficult corners. It’s crucial to clean the inside of your windscreen with appropriate products to avoid streaks and residues. Finally, wipe the windscreen with another microfiber cloth for a perfect result. Don’t forget that cleaning the inside of your windscreen is also important to ensure optimum visibility and avoid streaking.
There’s also a good trick to prevent insects from sticking to your windscreen: rub the entire surface with half a lemon after washing and before driving away. This way, insects won’t stick and the windshield will be free of grease. If you don’t have the time and want to give your windscreen a quick clean, simply use a crumpled, damp newspaper and keep a cloth handy to combat frost.
Spotted an impact? Do you need to replace the windscreen?
While it’s obvious that you’ll have no choice but to replace your windscreen in the event of a crack, this isn’t necessarily the case with an impact. If the impact is not in the driver’s field of vision, smaller than a two-euro coin, or not close to an edge, it is possible to inject a resin. Unfortunately, if injection isn’t possible, as in the case of the crack, the windshield must be replaced.
Wondering how much a windscreen replacement costs? It all depends on the car insurance contract you have taken out. If you haven’t added the option, you’ll have to pay for it yourself. The cost depends on your vehicle. For your information, it varies from 350 to 1,000 euros. Given that a fender-bender or stone-throwing (not to mention acts of vandalism) can happen to anyone and to any type of glass (front and rear windshields, side windows, headlights, etc.), it’s a good idea to have the option.
As for the deductible, you’ll need to reckon on between 80 and 120 euros, but this is often offered by the center performing the replacement.
