So I moved here from Maine last March and I learned MANY things about defrosting a vehicle, mostly through trial and error.

First of all, most people know to do this, get in your car and turn on your defroster. It's called that for a reason. Turn it on full blast before you do anything else.

There are many de icing sprays you can buy for situations like this. MotoMaster Windshield & Window De-icer, is the most common used in Maine, but that's just my preference.

You can also make your own at home if you are a do it yourself kind of person.

  • One mixture is a saltwater mixture: simply mix table salt, or road salt, to a spray bottle filled with water. You do not need more than a table spoon, that will easily do the trick. (do not overload your windshield with this, as heavy salt exposure may cause damage to your windshield)
  • The other is an alcohol solution: simply mix one part water and two parts 70% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle.

Both of these should work almost instantaneously, the ice will begin to melt and break apart, then you can scrape it away the ice with an ice scraper.

DO NOT use a metal ice scraper or your keys on your windshield, it will scratch very easily.

Many people make the mistake of pouring hot water onto their frozen windshield, this is a bad mistake because pouring piping hot water onto your icy or frosted windshield can cause cracks in the glass.


Now when it comes to our pets, you need to remember one thing, if you feel it, they feel it too. So if you think it's warm outside, they most likely do too, and if you think it's cold, they most likely think it's freezing as well.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association,

Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It's a common belief that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it's untrue. No pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather.

I don't care if your pet is an "outside Pet", you'll survive a few nights of them inside.

Please be as safe as possible this weekend.

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