There are few sounds more painful on a winter morning than frozen windscreen wipers dragging themselves across icy glass. It’s a horrible scraping noise — and every time it happens, your wiper blades lose a little more of their already limited lifespan.
This simple hack helps you avoid that problem entirely.
Why wipers freeze to the windscreen
Overnight frost causes moisture to bond the rubber blade directly to the glass. If you forget to turn the wipers off before switching the ignition on – or they’re triggered automatically – they’ll try to move while frozen solid.
Best case: noisy, ineffective wiping.
Worst case: torn rubber or damaged wiper arms.
The simple overnight fix
All you need is a pair of old socks (or tights, in a pinch).
How to stop wipers freezing
- Lift the wiper arms away from the windscreen
Do this before heading inside for the night. - Slide a sock over each wiper blade
Make sure the rubber is fully covered. - Leave them in place overnight
That’s it, no further effort required. - Remove in the morning before driving
Once the screen is clear, lower the wipers back into position.
Your blades should be completely free, flexible, and ready to work.
Why this works
The sock creates a barrier between the rubber and the glass, stopping moisture from freezing the two together. It also protects the blade itself from frost damage, helping it last longer.
It’s simple, low-tech, and surprisingly effective.
Useful variations
- Zip-lock bags work just as well if socks aren’t handy
- Long socks are best, but any will do
- Keep a dedicated pair in the boot during winter months
Why this is a proper car hack
This takes about 10 seconds the night before, and saves frustration, noise and wear the next morning.
That’s car hacking at its most satisfying.
This tip is from the author of Car Hacks – a collection of clever, low-cost ways to make everyday driving, owning and maintaining a car easier, cheaper and less frustrating. If you like practical fixes that use everyday household items (and don’t require mechanical know-how), you’ll find loads more inside the book.
Car Hacks 