Try these automotive home remedies to help tackle winter head on.
Icy, streaky windshield wiper blades.
Headlights thick with snowy, salty road slop.
Door that are frozen shut.
Welcome to winter in Chicago!
At John’s Auto Service, we know all these scenarios put a damper on an already chilly day. But we have inexpensive home remedies to help ward off all these winter blues.
Winter Woe #1: Frosted Windows | Home Remedy: Vinegar and Water
Take an old spray bottle and add 3 parts vinegar and one part water. Spray the solution on your car windows in the evening before the car sits overnight. The acetic acid in the vinegar raises water’s melting point and prevents it from freezing on your windows.
Winter Woe #2: Frozen Gas Cap Door | Home Remedy: Silicone Spray
Low on gas but can’t get the gas cap door to pop open? Fill a cup or container with hot water and pour it around the door edges. When you’re done, be sure to park in the sunlight or dry the area thoroughly to prevent a repeat.
Winter Woe #3: Snow & Salt-Covered Headlights | Home Remedy: Car Wax
Wipe your headlights lightly with the car wax and then wipe again like you would if you were waxing your car. The water repellent feature in car wax can keep snow and road salt from building up on your headlights for up to six weeks.
Winter Woe #4: Icy, Streaky Windshield | Home Remedy: Rubbing Alcohol
Take an old rag and saturate it with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. Wipe down each wiper blade and voila!, no more ice build up. To prevent streaks and silent squeaking, clean each wiper blade with a baking soda and water mixture.
Winter Woe #5: Frozen Doors | Home Remedy: Silicone Spray
Take a rag or paper towel and spray it with WD-40, Moovit or even cooking spray and rub it on the rubber door seal. For the environmentalist in you, Moovit is a green product. But if you already have the cooking spray or WD-40, those are certainly the more budget-friendly ways to go.