Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Wiper solution
• Method 2 of 4: Dishwashing liquid with ammonia
• Method 3 of 4: Adding rubbing alcohol to prevent freezing (antifreeze)
• Method 4 of 4: Cold Weather Vinegar Cleaner (Antifreeze)
• Tips

Windshield washer fluid is essential to keep your car in good condition. Most store-bought windshield wipers contain methanol, a poisonous chemical that is hazardous to health even in small quantities. Due to the fact that methanol is so harmful to health and the environment, some motorists choose to personally make a windshield washer fluid at home that will not contain a drop of methanol. Such a liquid can be made quite simply from household goods, especially since in the long term they will also help to save a lot.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Wiper solution

1. 1 Take a clean, empty container and pour 4 liters of water into it. The container must be easy to fill and hold at least five liters of liquid.Always use distilled water to prevent mineral build-up in the nozzles and pump.
   • As a last resort, you can use tap water. Most importantly, do not forget to replace the fluid as soon as possible so as not to harm your car.
2. 2 Add 250 ml glass cleaner. Pick up any store-bought windshield wiper of your choice. The main thing is that it gives as little soap suds as possible and does not create drips (it is desirable that they do not exist at all). This method is suitable for everyday use, especially in the summer.
3. 3 Shake the container to stir the liquid well, then apply it to the windshield. If this is your first time preparing such a liquid for washing, first test it on your car. Take a rag, soak it a little in the liquid, and wipe the corner of the windshield. Ideally, a cleaner should remove dirt without leaving any residue behind.

Method 2 of 4: Dishwashing liquid with ammonia

1. 1 Take a clean canister and pour 4 liters of distilled water into it. To avoid spilling water, pour it with a funnel. The canister must be easy to fill and hold at least four liters of water. Do not throw away the lid, so that later it will be easier for you to stir the liquid and store it.
2. 2 Add one tablespoon of dish soap to the water. Do not pour in too much product, otherwise the finished liquid will be too thick. Use whatever remedy you have. Make sure that the product does not leave streaks or foam on the glass. If the liquid foams too much, use a different dishwashing detergent. This method is ideal for those traveling through muddy terrain.
3. 3 Add 125 ml ammonia. Use non-foaming ammonia, which is free from additives and surfactants. You should be very careful at this stage, as concentrated ammonia can be dangerous. Work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves. When ammonia is diluted in water, it becomes relatively safe and can be used as a glass cleaner.
4. 4 Screw the lid on the canister and shake it well to mix the liquid. Test the cleaner before using it. Take a clean rag, slightly dampen it in the liquid, and wipe down the corner of the windshield. If the cleaner removes the dirt and leaves no residue, you can continue using it.

Method 3 of 4: Adding rubbing alcohol to prevent freezing (antifreeze)

1. 1 Add 250 ml of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to the liquid from the first three methods if the ambient temperature drops below freezing. If you have warm winters, use 70% alcohol. If your winters are unusually harsh, use 99% alcohol.
   • In an emergency, you can take high-grade vodka instead of alcohol.
2. 2 Take a small container of liquid outside and let it sit overnight. If the liquid freezes, then you will need to add another 250 ml of alcohol. Then check the fluid again. This step is very important if you do not want the fluid to freeze and rupture the wiper feed hose.
3. 3 Shake the container to stir the liquid well. Drain a warm weather wiper before replacing it with a cold weather wiper. If there is a lot of warm weather fluid left in the system, it may dilute the alcohol in the cold weather cleaner. If the alcohol is diluted too much, the liquid may freeze.

Method 4 of 4: Cold Weather Vinegar Cleaner (Antifreeze)

1. 1 Take an empty, clean canister and pour 3 liters of distilled water into it. The volume of the canister must be at least 4 liters. If the rim of the canister is too narrow, use a funnel. With its help, it will be much easier to pour water. Mark the canister with a marker.
2. 2 Add 1 liter of white vinegar. Use only white vinegar.Other types of vinegar can leave streaks and ruin your clothes. This is the best anti-pollen cleaner.
   • Do not use this method in hot weather. When heated, vinegar begins to smell harsh and unpleasant.
3. 3 Shake the container well to mix the liquid thoroughly. If the temperature in your area drops below freezing, check if the fluid freezes before adding a wiper to the system. Leave some liquid outside overnight and check to see if it is frozen in the morning. If the liquid is frozen, add another 500 ml of vinegar to the canister and check it again. If it still freezes, add 250 ml of isopropyl alcohol and check again.

Tips

• Refilling your windshield washer fluid is fairly straightforward. Just open the hood and find the washer container. This will be a large, square, white or transparent tank located in the front of the car. Most of them have an overlay cap that can be easily removed without any tools. Use a funnel to avoid spilling liquid when pouring it into the tank.
• If you are changing your warm weather fluid to antifreeze, be sure to drain off any remaining warm weather fluid. If the leftover liquid contains methanol, it will be safer to remove it with a kitchen syringe.
• In an emergency, you can use plain water. But water cannot clean a windshield as well as a windshield washer. In addition, water can be a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria.
• You can store the cleaner using containers made of milk, vinegar, or laundry detergent. Rinse them thoroughly before use.
• Label the cleaner clearly, especially if you store it in a container containing a different fluid. You can color the liquid with food coloring blue to make it look like a store-bought liquid.
• Although these household windshield cleaners are less hazardous than methanol, they can still be harmful to human health if swallowed. Be sure to keep the liquid out of the reach of animals and children.
• Always use distilled water when making windshield washer fluid. Minerals in tap water can accumulate and clog the nozzles and pump.
• Don't mix vinegar with dishwashing liquid. Connecting them can cause fluid to curl up and block the wiper feed hose.
• The aforementioned fluids can be used as universal cleaners for windows and other car surfaces.