Keeping your car windscreen and windows clean is essential, especially from a safety point of view. Dirt, smear and chips can obstruct a driver’s vision, so it’s important to keep on top of this on a regular basis. Plus, freshly cleaned windows will ensure your car is looking great on the road.
So, if you’re not 100% sure how to avoid those eye-catching dirt streaks, then we have a handy step-by-step guide showing you how to get sparkling results every time.
What is the best windscreen cleaner?
There really isn’t too much to it when it comes to cleaning your car windows and windscreen. The most important parts are making sure you are using the correct tools and taking your time.
First, grab yourself some glass window cleaner. There are different types available, but you want to make sure you get one that is alcohol-based, as this will evaporate quickly without leaving any streaks. We recommend the aptly named Car Gods Glass Perfection.
The next most important tool is some clean microfibre cloths. You want microfibre because it’s the most effective at picking up any moisture and dirt and won’t leave any fibres behind. You will want at least two of these cloths, first to use with the window cleaner, and then another to buff the glass. Meguiar’s Supreme Shine Microfibre Towels is an excellent option for this, not least because it comes as a three-pack.
If, however, you would rather have a one-for-all handy tool, you can opt for the Kärcher Window Vac WV1 with Concentrate Glass Cleaner. This handheld vacuum tool sucks up moisture and can be used all around the house as well as your car, so it really is a great piece of kit to have. It also comes with its own window cleaner solution which is environmentally friendly and still produces fantastic results.
And of course, if you want the proper tool for clearing your windscreen and car windows of snow, you’ll need the 3-in-1 Plastic Windscreen Window Ice Scraper, though I know there are still those out there who swear a credit card will get the job done!
Finally, as an added bonus, you can apply some windscreen treatment as a final touch, something like the Invisible Glass Rain Repellent Windscreen Treatment. This makes your windscreen that bit more resistant to dirt and grime and keeps your view clearer for longer.
Our step-by-step guide
1. Clean your carA general clean of your car will get the majority of the dirt and grime (or snow) off your windows, making it much, much easier to polish it up. Check out the end of the article for a list of car-cleaning guides!
2. Lift your windscreen wipers up off the windscreen
When focusing on the windscreen, lifting your wipers up makes the process much easier. Plus, it gives you the chance to give the wipers themselves a clean or even to replace them if required.
For more information on changing your wipers, check out this previous guide.
3. Spray your window cleaner of choice
Take your time and spray a generous amount on each window. Start with the windscreen and make sure to focus on one half of the windscreen at a time so you don’t end up leaning over the glass or have to keep running back and forth.
4. Wipe down with microfibre cloths
Use your first microfibre cloth to clean the windscreen, then use a second one to buff it to a nice shine.
5. Add any window treatment
Spray on your treatment of choice and then wipe down with the clean microfibre cloth.
You’ll want to repeat this process for the interior side as well, just to make sure the glass is completely clean, especially the windscreen (though without the treatment or wipers steps). We do, however, recommend spraying the cleaning solution onto your cloth for the interior so that there are no drips on your dashboard.
Can you clean your windscreen with vinegar?
For a DIY alternative, it’s possible to add a small amount of vinegar to water for an effective cleaning solution. Vinegar cleans well but the smell certainly isn’t as pleasant as your standard shop-bought cleaner – so maybe just stick to the exterior when cleaning your windscreen with vinegar.
Things to look out for when cleaning your windscreen
While cleaning the windscreen, you can give it a good looking-over to make sure that there is nothing on the cusp of falling apart.
Chips and cracks are obviously the most important thing to check for, and if you find any, you must ensure to get them addressed as soon as possible. Windscreens maintain a certain rigidity that is vital for effectively taking force away from the car’s occupants in case of an accident, and a crack completely ruins that.
You can also check that there is nothing obstructing your view, such as misplaced stickers or anything dangling from your rear-view mirror. Anything that obstructs your view (or is just too distracting) may cause you to fail your MOT!
What are the penalties if your windscreen isn’t clear?
Beyond the obvious fact that clean windows make it easier to see (and therefore drive), there are a few concrete reasons to make sure it’s always looking its best.
First, if your windscreen is deemed to be obstructed, that will be three points on your licence – it’s no surprise that driving with your view obscured is considered dangerous. This leads into the next reason, where if your windscreen is in any way obscuring your view and you are in an accident, then you could be deemed responsible for that accident – regardless of if the windscreen played a factor in it.
And finally, a damaged windscreen is a common reason to fail your MOT, so avoid the heartache and keep your windscreen in tip-top condition!
If you enjoyed this quick how-to guide and want some more tips on keeping the rest of your car looking its best, feel free to check out these previous guides, and have the shiniest car on the road!
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