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Money Saving Tips

De-Icing Spray and Lock De-Icer

13 years ago

Hi everyone,

A blog somewhere mentioned that a mixture of 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 water in a spray bottle will de-ice your car windows. They suggest spraying when you park the car in bad weather and when you park your car for the night at home. In the morning it should be easier to clear the ice.

Also a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your coat pocket can be used on locks and your key since it's 90% alcohol.

If you travel during the day with a back pack even a smaller spray bottle with the vinegar mix and a small scraper might help you get into your car easier.

There could be other applications for this in winter maybe like spraying the ice around your doors? Spraying anything frozen and stuck?

Makes sense to me. Could even make up small spray bottles and attach a small hand sanitizer with a note on this for stocking stuffers to spread the word.

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Comments (5)

LuAnn_in_PA
13 years ago
Have you actually tried it? Does it work?
User
Original Author
13 years ago
I have not tried it - just read about it. I'm getting more and more away from chemicals and saving pennies. I am definitely going to give this a go. We normally get lots of ice in December - it will be ready by the door. I could also try it the next time I defrost my freezer to see how it works on the stuff on the sides.

Doesn't hurt to try. Doesn't cost much.

Cheers,
Peggy
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
13 years ago
I would be worried about vinegar damaging the paint and corroding the metal of the lock, but am not sure if these are valid concerns or not.

If you can run an extension cord, a hair dryer will get you in there pretty quickly. While it's not frozen, you can also make sure the lock is well lubricated with WD-40 which would help ice fall off easier if it did form. You can also rub a little oil around the rubber seal so it's less likely to freeze the door shut.

Never park in deep slush in the evening or your car may be stuck to the ground in the morning.

I would also turn off the heat in the car a little before getting home if it was snowing. If that stuff doesn't melt on the car so much, it's not an ice sheet, it's so much easier to get off.

Moved here from OH a few years ago. I don't miss this stuff at all!!
emma
13 years ago
I also would worry about vinegar damaging the car, vinegar damages a lot of things. It will kill grass but not weeds, weird. It turned my blue towel gray, thankfully it was an old one. I have spots on kitchen towels when I wipe the counter after using vinegar. I tried de icers years ago and it didn't work for me. I just ran the car for a bit to warm the ice up.
LuAnn_in_PA
13 years ago
That is why I asked if the OP actually tries this.
Vinegar is an acid. and can cause damage.

I really don't think this would make a good stocking stuffer as suggested....

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