Dilute beet juice with water (1:1 ratio) and spray onto icy surfaces. Beet juice is effective in melting ice and also helps prevent corrosion. Steps to Apply Your Homemade De-Icer

Keeping your fluids topped up is vital for ensuring you are covered when setting off on winter journeys. Here are five fluids every vehicle needs during the colder months: Engine oil To combat the cold weather’s harsh effects on your engine, use a petrol or diesel cleaner such as Wynns Total Action Petrol Cleaner or Diesel Cleaner. These additives are developed to keep your vehicle’s injectors and fuel system clean. They will also help to restore engine performance, as well as reduce exhaust emissions and fuel consumption. Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA): It is an eco-friendly and concrete-safe de-icer that offers an alternative to homemade de-icing solutions. CMA works by preventing ice and snow from bonding to the surface, making it easier to remove; Ensure the car’s air conditioning is switched on. (This might sound counter-intuitive but it also has a dehumidifier built-in and will help de-mist the inside of the car’s windows.) In addition, de-icers can also damage rubber seals and weather stripping around your car's doors and windows. This can cause leaks and other issues that can be expensive to repair.

Personal preference - For de-icer products, the choice is down to your preference of when to treat the car and how much time you have in the morning. A good pre-icer spray can remove the need to de-ice at all in the morning but requires evening treatment. While de-icer must be used before driving the vehicle to ensure a clear and safe windscreen. The one other thing it won’t save you from is a completely snowed-over windscreen. For those instances where you’ll need a set of snow chains, a full-on snow brush will be a more useful bet. Using newspaper or cardboard to cover your windscreen can actually be more troublesome because if it becomes wet before the temperature drops, it can freeze to the glass. In addition to the icy weather, British winters also bring a great amount of rain! Rain-X is a valuable product which applies a repellent barrier to your windscreen to help improve visibility during wet conditions.

Don't disregard your ice scraper: While we all know it's a slightly annoying chore, you can always use an ice scraper to remove the frost from windows when you don't have the ingredients needed to make a homemade de-icer; It can also be useful to choose a 2 in 1 pre-icer and de-icer, where the formula can be sprayed onto the windscreen the night before to prevent a frosty windscreen in the morning. Even application: Apply the de-icer evenly to ensure consistent melting. Avoid oversaturating the surface, as this can lead to runoff and refreezing; Don’t miss out! Join the Halfords Motoring Club today to access a range of amazing benefits and discounts that are designed to keep you moving, keep you safe and keep you saving.de-icers can harm your car if they are not used properly or if they contain chemicals that are harmful to certain materials. It's important to read the label carefully and use the de-icer as directed to minimize any potential damage to your vehicle. If you're unsure about the best way to de-ice your car without causing harm, an ice scraper may be a safer alternative. Other ways to de ice your vehicle Some electric cars, hybrids and high specification models have a pre-heating function which you can turn on via your mobile phone - either manually or at a pre-determined time. If this is available, make use of it! The most important thing, is to prep them properly, by claying the windshield to remove contaminants, using a water-spot remover, and finally a glass cleaner and lint-free microfiber cloth to ensure the glass is squeaky clean before application. This helps the coating/ sealant to last longer, and prevents streaking.

Organic Acid Technology (OAT) - This nitrate-free formula utilises organic acid inhibitors to cool and protect engines against corrosion. With prolonged use, salt and rubbing alcohol can destroy automotive paint: The first time salt or rubbing alcohol touches the paint on your car, you might not notice a problem. But, if you continue to use them, after a while, you will start to see the gloss fade and the color dissolve. So, when using these ingredients in your homemade de-icer, take care to only use them on the glass. Now that you know the preventative measures to take against freezing temperatures, let's look at some solutions to try today. 7 Homemade De-Icing Sprays You Can Make Right NowSafety risks: Homemade de-icers may not effectively melt ice, leading to unsafe and hazardous conditions. Insufficient ice melting can result in slippery surfaces, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries for pedestrians and vehicles alike. It's crucial to prioritize safety and choose a reliable and properly formulated de-icer to ensure the removal of ice and the reduction of potential risks. One of the primary concerns is that de-icers can damage your car's paintwork. Many de-icers contain chemicals such as alcohol and ammonia, which can cause discolouration or even strip away the clear coat of paint over time. This is especially true if the de-icer is used frequently or if it is left to sit on the paint for too long. Antifreeze comes in concentrated form which must be diluted with water and a ready mixed form. Knowing which antifreeze to use will be dependent on the make and model of your vehicle. More modern cars made after 1998 require antifreeze with silicate-free, organic acid technology (OAT). Park facing east: The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. If your windshield is facing the Sun as it rises, there's a chance that any ice formed in the night will melt before you wake up in the morning;