A "simple trick" where you rub a household item on your car windows will "do wonders for your visibility" in cold weather, it has been claimed. As of yesterday (January 6), the UK was placed under six weather warnings as the nation faced a blanket of heavy snowfall, with a further 771-mile wall of snow set to hit the country in the early hours of Monday, January 12.
It means that motorists will now have to take extra precautions to ensure they don't fall victim to seasonal hazards, including icy roads, longer braking distances, potential battery issues, and, of course, reduced visibility. Indeed, simply getting your car safely off the driveway can take longer in the morning, as we're forced to de-ice our vehicles and defog our windows before setting off on our commutes (possibly even in the dark).
One "unusual" method that could speed up the process emerged in a list of 24 winter car hacks, produced by vehicle glass specialists Autoglass, which suggests that we could use a "simple trick" to create an "invisible film".
Autoglass suggests that a fabric softener sheet could be just the thing to use if you want to tackle fog build-up in your motor, claiming that it will "do wonders for your visibility".
It states on its website: "Rubbing a fabric softener sheet on the inside of your windows to creates an invisible film that reduces fog build-up. It might sound unusual, but this simple trick will do wonders for your visibility in cold, damp weather."
In another unorthodox de-fogging trick that emerged in 2024, a spokesperson from Swansway Motor Group detailed how a sock filled with cat litter could be used for the same purpose.
"Many drivers experience the frustration of fogged-up windows during the colder months," the car expert noted. "This is often due to wet shoes, damp clothing, or melting snow, which increases the humidity within the car. However, a simple little trick can prevent this – using cat litter."
They continued: "Cat litter, particularly the clay-based type, is designed to absorb moisture, making it the perfect material for reducing humidity inside your car.
"By filling a cotton sock with the litter, taping it shut, and placing it on your dashboard, you create a natural dehumidifier that stops condensation from forming on the windows."
The expert added that the tip would prove particularly useful in the autumn and winter months when motorists might notice that their windows are becoming fogged up more often.
Dubbing it a "clever" hack, the expert also claimed that it can help us avoid fogging and can even tackle the build-up of ice on the inside of the glass when we leave the car overnight.
Finally, those who wish to try the tip were advised to place the sock in an area where it can absorb moisture, with the two examples named being the dashboard or rear shelf.
