Buzz
Windshield washer fluid is essential for maintaining your car. Most commercial products contain methanol, a toxic substance that can be harmful even in small amounts. Due to the health and environmental risks associated with methanol, some people prefer to make their own methanol-free windshield washer fluid. These homemade cleaners are easy to prepare using household ingredients, and they can help you save money in the long run.
Steps
Diluted windshield washer fluid
Pour 4 liters of distilled water into a container. Choose a container that is easy to pour from and can hold at least 5 liters of liquid. Always use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup in the spray nozzle and pump.
- Tap water can be used in an emergency, but remember to replace the fluid as soon as possible to avoid damaging your car.
Add a cup of windshield washer fluid. Choose a commercial windshield washer fluid that you prefer. Make sure to select one that produces minimal foam or streaks (the less foam and streaking, the better). This fluid is ideal for daily use, especially in the summer.
Shake the mixture to ensure it's evenly blended, then pour it into the car’s windshield washer container. If you’re using this solution for the first time, it’s recommended to test it on your vehicle first. Pour a small amount onto a cloth and wipe a corner of the windshield. An ideal windshield washer fluid should clean the dirt without leaving any residue.
Mixing dish soap and ammonia
Pour 4 liters of distilled water into a clean container. Use a funnel if pouring is difficult. The container should be easy to pour from and hold more than 4 liters of liquid. Don’t forget to keep the lid of the container for easier handling when you dissolve and store the solution.
Measure one tablespoon of dish soap and add it to the water. Avoid adding too much dish soap to prevent the solution from becoming too thick. You can use any available dish soap. Make sure the soap doesn’t leave streaks or marks on the glass. If excessive bubbles form, try using a different dish soap. This solution is especially useful if you're driving through muddy or rough terrain.
Add 1/2 cup of ammonia. Use a non-foaming ammonia without additives or surfactants. Exercise caution during this step, as concentrated ammonia can be dangerous. Work in a well-ventilated area and be sure to wear gloves. When diluted properly with water, ammonia becomes a fairly safe cleaning agent.
Seal the container and shake it thoroughly. Test the solution first if this is your initial use. Pour a small amount onto a cloth and wipe a corner of the windshield. If the solution effectively cleans the grime without leaving any residue, you can pour it into the car’s reservoir.
Add rubbing alcohol to prevent freezing
Add one cup of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to the entire mixture if temperatures drop below freezing. If the winter in your area isn’t too cold, you can use 70% isopropyl alcohol. For extremely cold weather, opt for 99% isopropyl alcohol.
- In an emergency, high-proof vodka can be used as a substitute for isopropyl alcohol.
Leave a small bottle of the solution outside overnight. If the solution freezes, you’ll need to add at least one cup of rubbing alcohol. Test again. This step is crucial to prevent the solution from freezing and causing damage to the car’s windshield washer system.
Shake the container to ensure the solution is well mixed. Empty out the windshield washer fluid used for warm weather before adding the solution for cold temperatures. If there is still too much warm weather fluid left, the alcohol in the cold weather fluid will be diluted, causing the solution to freeze.
Prepare a vinegar-based solution for cold weather
Pour 12 cups (2.8 liters) into a clean container. Ensure the container has a capacity greater than 4 liters. If the container's opening is narrow, you can use a funnel for easier pouring. Use a permanent marker to label the container.
Add 4 cups of white vinegar. Only use white vinegar, as other types may leave stains or discolor clothes. White vinegar is the best cleaner for pollen.
- Do not use this method in warm weather. Warm vinegar can emit a strong, unpleasant smell.
Mix the solution by shaking the container. If the temperature in your area drops below freezing, you should test the solution before adding it to the car’s reservoir. Leave a small amount of the solution outside overnight and check it the following morning. If it freezes, add 2 more cups of vinegar and test again. If it still freezes, add 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and test once more.
Advice
- Filling the windshield washer reservoir is quite simple. Just open the hood and locate the washer fluid reservoir. It is usually a large white or transparent square container at the front of the vehicle. Most reservoirs have a flip-top cap for easy opening without needing tools. Use a funnel to avoid spillage while pouring.
- When switching from the warm weather fluid to cold weather fluid, make sure to completely empty the old fluid. If the old fluid contains methanol, the safest way to remove it is by using a siphon hose.
- You can use plain water as a temporary replacement if needed. However, water is not as clean and may create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
- Reusing bottles like milk, vinegar, and detergent containers to prepare and store the solution is an option. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly beforehand.
- Clearly label the windshield washer fluid, especially if you’re reusing a container. You can even use blue food coloring to make it look like a commercial product.
- Though these homemade solutions are less harmful than methanol, they can still be toxic if ingested. Keep them out of reach of pets and children.
- Always use distilled water when mixing the washer fluid. The minerals in tap water can eventually clog the spray nozzles and the pump.
- Never mix vinegar and dish soap. These two substances may react and form clumps, potentially blocking the nozzle.
- These solutions can also be used as cleaners for other glass surfaces and parts of the vehicle.
