Most drivers have had a moment where mist, grime, or rain have temporarily impaired their visibility. Even if it happens for just a second, it can be scary – and potentially dangerous. It is important, therefore, that your windscreen is cleaned properly in order to help you to maintain good visibility, thereby protecting you, your passengers, and other road users.
Cleaning your windscreen may seem like the simplest job in the world but if you do it wrong or use the wrong products, you could be left with distracting smears. Here’s what you need to know.
1 – Prep
As always, preparation is key. Gently lift your windscreen wipers from the glass and get rid of any obvious dirt and grime with water and a clean brush or cloth. You may need to put your wipers into maintenance mode before you can lift them; if in doubt, check your manual.
2 – Clean your wipers
There is no point cleaning your windscreen if your wipers are just going to smear it with grime again. Use screen wash and a soft cloth to get rid of any dirt. This will not only keep your windscreen sparkling, it will help your wipers to last longer, too.
3 – Spray
Use either glass cleaner or a solution of water and white vinegar, and spray liberally on the windscreen. If you are worried about the vinegar smell (and don’t want to crave fish & chips every time you get in the car), you can add pine needles or lemon juice to your vinegar solution. If you are giving the entire car a once-over, make sure that you don’t use any oily or waxy products on your windscreen; these will affect the way that rain water rolls on the screen, and could cause your wipers to smear, rather than wipe, water away.
4 – Wipe
Use a soft e-cloth to remove the spray. Pay special attention to stubborn spots. Long, sweeping motions can help to prevent smears. Some people swear by using old newspaper for this stage.
5- Buff
Once all visible dirt has been removed, you can give your windscreen a good buff. Use a clean cloth and plenty of elbow grease!
6 – Repeat
Repeat the process on the inside using a clean set of cloths for the final buff. If you want to avoid getting cleaning products on your dashboard, spray the cleaner onto the cloth, rather than directly onto the windscreen.
If cleaning your car is one of those things that always drops to the bottom of the to-do list, don’t despair! There are plenty of brilliant car wash places that will give your vehicle a full, professional valet. Finding a local valet is easy with Trust A Garage, where you can find trusted, rated and vetted services near you. For more driving and vehicle tips, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.