A frozen towel on your windscreen overnight keeps the ice off the glass underneath

A clever British lady used the TikTok social media platform to drop a hack for people who have to operate their vehicles in icy weather. Her advice has to do with preventing a car’s windscreen from freezing up, and it appears to be a much better plan than at least most of the other so-called solutions out there.

A UK driver shared a genius hack to prevent a frozen windscreen

It’s not clear where the original poster got the idea from — perhaps it’s a family secret handed down through the generations — but it appears to work superbly well.

Until now, most people who live in harsh winter climates have had to deal with ice buildup on their vehicle windscreens with methods like using a scraper, pouring warm water over or blowing hot air onto the glass, starting the car early to heat up and melt the ice, or whatever other technique they feel works best.

A TikTok clip shows how a towel is used to save an ice hassle in the morning

However, it looks like this plan is by far the best. In the short TikTok video posted under the handle @kirstenparryx, the driver can be seen approaching her vehicle, which has a watermelon-printed towel draped over the windscreen. This was presumably placed there the night before, or at least some time before, as when she grabs a corner of the towel, it comes away frozen into a fairly solid sheet in her hand.

The lady can be heard explaining as she walks in the snow around her car:

“I put a towel on the windscreen to stop it from freezing and it’s frozen itself!”

The end result is well worth the small bit of extra effort

The realization dawns on viewers when they see the condition of the windscreen under the frozen fabric: it’s clear, with not a single speck of visible ice on the sections that had been covered. This is presumably due to the towel absorbing the moisture and freezing before it can reach the windscreen.

There are specialist windscreen products being sold at motoring supplies stores that do the same job, but there’s no doubt that the towel works perfectly well at a fraction of the price. Also, it’s less likely to be stolen, if you happen to park in the kind of area where there’s a risk of this.

Safety tips for traveling in icy conditions

Here are tips for drivers who have to travel under risky, icy conditions:

• Maintain a low speed so that you remain under control at all times and allow yourself sufficient reaction time.
• Increase your following distance to at least six to ten seconds so that you have space to brake and stop if you need to.
• Avoid sudden movements, as the effect of accelerating, braking, or adjusting steering on icy roads can send your vehicle in unintended directions or put it into a spin.
• Use good quality tires designed for winter weather and ensure they are always in good condition.
• Drive in lower gears to increase traction on slippery roads.
• Make sure your windows, rear and front windscreens, and all mirrors afford you clear visibility.
• Avoid cruise control so that your reaction speed is not compromised.
• Be aware of the kinds of areas prone to black ice and where visibility may be so poor that you wouldn’t see it.
• Keep emergency essentials in your vehicle, such as a first aid kit, protective gear, a light source, a blanket and warm coat or jacket, snacks, and water for all occupants of the vehicle.
• Drive with your lights on so that you are visible to other drivers and pedestrians.
• Avoid steep inclines to prevent sliding.
• Plan ahead by checking conditions and forecasts and rather stay at home if conditions are risky.

With this simple hack, you can save time on frosty mornings and remain safe with clear visibility. Just don’t forget to lay the towel the night before!