Winter mornings in the UK often come with a familiar frustration, scraping ice off your car windows. The chilly weather can turn even a short commute into a cold and time-consuming ordeal. But, a nifty online hack is offering drivers a surprising solution.
In a Youtube video, YouTuber Smart Fox demonstrates the technique, which involves cutting a potato in half and rubbing the exposed surface over the windscreen. “By doing that, you’re spreading the liquid that comes out of the potato on your windshield,” he said.
“The sugar contained in the potato ensures that water cannot adhere and therefore ice cannot form.”
Smart Fox said that drivers can also use smaller potato slices or even the skin of a potato.
“Of course, you have to change it regularly, so taking several pieces works best,” he said.
The YouTuber added that the hack should be applied the evening before a frost is expected, giving the potato’s natural sugars time to coat the glass and create a temporary barrier against ice formation.
The method may sound unconventional, but Smart Fox claims it is “scientifically proven” and is used in various parts of the world.
He pointed out that the approach is simple, cheap, and relies on an ingredient many households already have on hand, making it an accessible option for anyone trying to save time during the winter months.
For those who find their windscreen already frozen, the YouTuber also links to videos demonstrating rapid de-icing techniques, providing practical alternatives for mornings when the frost has already settled.
While the potato hack is not a substitute for standard winter precautions, such as leaving your car in a garage or using specialist covers, it could offer a quirky, low-cost way to make cold mornings slightly less stressful.
As the UK faces another cold spell, drivers may be tempted to reach for this unexpected winter helper.
