The most effective guide to car windshield maintenance

Whether you’re a meticulous driver or not, you should learn how to keep your windshield wipers clean. When a storm hits, keeping your windshield clean is not only a matter of car hygiene, but also a matter of driving safely. Since dirty wipers won’t get the job done, keeping them in top condition is key, especially during the rainy season. Here are three simple steps to help you clean your windshield wipers.

1. Scrub the windshield wiper with detergent or soap.

Lift the wiper blades off the windshield to make cleaning easier. Then, using just a small amount of wiper cleaner, rub it into the edge of the blade using a rag. If you don’t have wiper cleaner, you can use hot soapy water instead. This will wash away any dirt that the blades may have accumulated over time. Be sure to scrub thoroughly and pay attention to the joints.

2. Rinse with clean water and wipe with a dry cloth

Once you have removed all the dirt from the wiper blades, rinse them with plain water – this is definitely easier than using soap or detergent. Then take a dry cloth and wipe the wipers thoroughly.

3. Wipe the wiper with alcohol

Once you’ve dried your wipers with a cloth, it’s time to use some rubbing alcohol. Wipe the wipers with a little rubbing alcohol to remove any soap or residue that may have been left behind after rinsing with water. Once the rubbing alcohol dries, you’ll have a sparkling, new set of wipers.

Once you’ve completed these three simple steps, be sure to give your windshield a good cleaning too. No matter how good your wipers are, they won’t be able to remove all the oil and grime from the glass. A cleaning solution can help, but it’s best to wipe the glass by hand to be safe.

If you have tried all of these methods and your wipers still fog up when you use them, then they are probably old and need to be replaced. Everything has a limited lifespan, so don’t be cheap and use them unsafely.