Don’t These Windshield De-Icing Tips Actually Waste Time? [VIDEOS]

There you are, in a hurry to get to work, only to find yourself standing in the cold while scraping ice off your windshield. There are several techniques you can use to help prevent your windshield from icing up, but don't these methods ultimately wind up wasting even more of your time?

Standing in your driveway, scraping ice of the window is a drag. You're in a hurry, and the last thing you need is another distraction. There are options, but not all are legitimate considerations.

You could start your car and let it run for a while with the defrosters on. This, however, is a major no-no. As a matter of fact, there are legal penalties to be paid. Authorities in communities like Grand Junction have already issued warnings to the public, explaining that being a "puffer" is not allowed.

You can whip up one of the concoctions demonstrated in the videos above. The ingredients are cheap, and it takes only seconds to mix them up. When it is all said and done, though, it seems the application of these chemicals takes longer than simply using a scraper. In some cases, the mixtures don't prevent ice, the merely reduce the amount of ice. You ultimately end up having to scrape the window anyway.

The one technique that does seem to be effective, especially for environments like Western Colorado where we only receive light snow and frost, would involve placing a blanket over the window.  The technique - place the blanket on the window at night, then take it off in the morning.

These effectiveness of these techniques are ultimately subjective, but do at least warrant a try. If it doesn't float your boat, you're really only out about ten cents for the alcohol or vinegar. In the meantime, the use of a scraper, usually found for free at your bank or as a promotional product, works like a charm.