How To Make Your Own Homemade Windshield Washer Fluid

Making your own windshield washer fluid is an inexpensive way of doing this and it is also less toxic to the environment.

You can also make one that suits your temperature conditions and hence will not be affected by either too low or too high temperatures.

You can make a homemade windshield washer fluid using the following procedure:

Filling 1 Gallon of Water into a Large Jug.
Adding Tablespoon of Dish Liquid.
Adding ½ Cup of Ammonia.
Shaking the Jug Well.

There is a need for cleaning your windshield effectively and this can only be accomplished with a suitable windshield washer fluid.

Water alone will not get rid of the stubborn stains. This is why there are numerous types of windshield wiper fluids you can choose from.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Why Is It A Good Idea To Make Your Own Windshield Washer Fluids?

For one, making your own windshield wiper fluid is an inexpensive way of keeping your windshields clean regularly.

This is because all the ingredients used in the process of making a homemade windshield washer fluid, plus the entire process is simply not that costly.

This is unlike buying a brand of windshield washer fluid from a shop, as this might not be affordable.

Therefore, this option would help when you do not have enough to buy a windshield washer fluid from a shop.

Windshield washer fluids that are manufactured in companies are made from harmful chemicals that might be poisonous to their immediate environment.

This means that they may harm you or any otherling thing close by, especially plants. You will also find that disposing them off would have some severe repercussions on the environment.

Among the ingredients used in the manufacture of commercial windshield washer fluids is methanol, which is highly poisonous. This has a high adverse effect even in small portions.

Antifreeze is also another ingredient that is used in the manufacture of windshield wiper washers that is also as harmful as methanol.

It is poisonous and toxic to both man and animals if they mistakenly consume it.

6 Steps To Add Windshield Washer Fluid To Your Vehicle

The following is the procedure for pouring windshield washer fluid to your car properly:

Press the button or pull the lever that will open up your hood.
Locate the windshield washer fluid cap, which is easy to find as it is usually labelled. If you are unable to locate it, you can consult the car’s owner’s manual which will guide you.
Open up the windshield washer fluid cap.
Pour enough amounts of the windshield washer fluid while being careful not to spill it.
Ensure that you fill it, close it with the cap.
You should then close up your hood.

Things To Consider When Making Windshield Washer Fluid

The first thing that needs to be considered when you are making your own windshield washer fluid is the freezing point.

This is because the windshield washer fluid may freeze and expand and this may damage any object that it is flowing through such as a hose.

The windshield washer fluid tends to freeze when the temperature drops below a certain level.

Before using your homemade windshield washer fluid in your car, it is important that you drain out the washer fluid that you were using before.

You can also flush be using clean water to ensure that the system is free from any particles. This would help prevent clogging of the system in which the windshield washer fluids run in.

In the case that you are maintaining the type of windshield washer fluid that you were using before, you do not have to drain out what was there before.

Instead, you can just add to it using a funnel to avoid spilling the windshield washer fluid unnecessarily.

The components of the windshield washer fluid are destructive if they come into contact with the car’s paintwork.

After you have made your own windshield washer fluid, it is important that you store it properly.

It should be kept away from the reach of children or even pets that may mistakenly drink them. They should also be kept in an area with a suitable temperature level.

4 Popular DIY Methods To Make Homemade Windshield Washer Fluid

Many car owners would opt to make their own windshield washer fluid for a number of reasons.

The first being that a commercial windshield washer fluid might be too costly for them as they are limited in funds. However, they want their windshield well cleaned.

The second reason why a homemade windshield wiper cleaner would suit a car owner is that it has no harmful effects on the environment.

Unlike commercial windshield wiper cleaner, the homemade product is not toxic.

1. Using Window Cleaner

Get a clean and sizeable container.
Pour one gallon of distilled water into the container.
Add a cup of the window cleaner and mix the contents properly.
Test by pouring a little of it to a rag and wiping your car windshield.

2. Using Vinegar

Find a clean and good capacity container.
Fill it with ¾ of distilled water.
Add four cups of white vinegar, avoid other types as they leave residue.
Shake to mix the contents.
Test on glass.

3. Using Rubbing Alcohol

Using rubbing alcohol simply prevents your already made windshield wiper cleaner from freezing.
So the first step is making your product.
Add a cup of rubbing alcohol to it.
Test it by leaving it outside in a cold night.
If it freezes, then you should add more of the rubbing alcohol.
Test again until you get required results.

4. Using Proof Vodka

Place a gallon of water in a container.
Add three cups of proof vodka.

How To Make Windshield Washer Fluid For The Weather

Windshield washer fluid works depending on the temperature of a place.

This is because if it is exposed to harsh extreme temperatures, it will not be able to work as appropriately as you wished it to.

The following is a detailed way of making windshield washer fluid for any temperature conditions:

Warm Weather

i. Fill distilled water up to 75% in an empty vessel.
ii. Add white vinegar to the distilled water while leaving some space for the stirring.
iii. Avoid using other types of vinegar as they lead to formation of a residue.

Hot Weather

Fill distilled water to 75% in a large vessel.
Add window cleaner onto the distilled water.
Mix the contents well.

Cold Weather

Fill a jug to 75% with distilled water.
Add white vinegar to almost filling the jug.
Add a cup of rubbing alcohol to the contents of the jug and mix the contents well.
Place the contents in a cool temperature such as outside in the night, if it freezes, then you will need to add a little more alcohol.

How To Make Windshield Washer Fluid With Windex

Since Windex is made from ammonia, it can be used to make windshield washer fluid.

This is done by mixing 20% of the Windex, then adding a good amount of water to fill the concentration. You can then add about two drops of liquid dish soap per quart/litre.

Can You Use Windex instead Of Windshield Washer Fluid?

Yes, you can. But Windex should not be mainly used as a substitute for windshield washer fluids.

This is simply because it was not designed for that purpose and using it for the same might force you to deal with some severe and unnecessary repercussions.

Does It Matter What Type Of Windshield Wiper Fluid You Use?

Yes, there are a number of factors that will force you not just to buy any type of windshield washer fluid.

For instance, the climate of the area you are driving in should be a factor that you consider before buying a windshield washer fluid.

Therefore, there is a need for you to check on the freezing point of the windshield wiper fluid before you purchase it.

Some types of windshield washer fluids will be ideal for the winter, while some will be ideal for the warm weather conditions.

This is because temperature levels drop below a certain level in the winter season and this might cause the windshield wiper fluid to freeze and thus not be effective in cleaning the car windshield effectively.

As such, there are those for warm climates that are to be avoided when winter is approaching.

Some types of windshield washer fluids will also need that you mix them with an amount of water before using them.

Such windshield wiper fluids are in concentrated form and would require you to dilute them using water at home.

How To Make Windshield Washer Fluid With Methanol

This procedure entails mixing 10% of methanol and 90% of water.

Methanol can be found in some special stores or you can get adequate amounts from industrial supply warehouses.

You can decide to add to the solution a few drops of blue food coloring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning how to make your homemade windshield wiper fluid is quite easy to do by following the guide I provided above.

Below what you will find are the questions people also seek when it comes to the main subject. I suggest you keep reading!

Q1: What Are The Ingredients In Windshield Washer Fluid?

The ingredients used in windshield washer fluids are included to make the fluids effective in the cleaning process of your car windshield.

Otherwise, there would be no difference between cleaning your car windshield with water.

One ingredient that deals with stubborn dirt is methanol, which is a key ingredient. In some washer fluids other alcohols such as ethylene glycol may be used.

Ethanol is also another ingredient that is used in the manufacture of commercial windshield washer fluids, even though in little amount.

An antifreeze will also be used in the manufacture of windshield washer fluids as it prevents the product from freezing when it gets cold during the winter season.

The antifreeze, in this case, is usually made from methylated spirits.

The good thing with the above ingredients is that they combine their unique features and come out to be highly effective in cleaning the windshield.

This is done while it also avoids causing ugly streaks on the surface of the windshield, and also the product is effective no matter the weather condition out there.

Q2: Can I Mix Different Windshield Washer Fluids?

Yes, you can mix different brands of windshield washer fluids. Unlike car oils, there is no problem when you mix different types of windshield washer fluids as they are simply cleaning agents.

They will not react and damage any part of your car or even the windshield.

You might be worried because you are unable to see a brand of windshield washer fluid on the store of shops, yet you need to top it up in your car.

You might also simply be looking for a new brand to work with in your car.

This is not a problem as you can mix them; you do not have to drain the previous type of windshield wiper fluid that you used before.

Q3: Is There Antifreeze In Windshield Washer Fluid?

Yes, there is antifreeze in commercial windshield washer fluids. The antifreeze prevents the product from freezing in cold conditions.

As such, the windshield washer fluid will be able to work as well as it used to during other seasons when it gets to the chilly winter season.

Q4: Is It Okay To Use Water Instead Of Windshield Wiper Fluid?

It is alright to use water as a substitute for windshield washer fluids, but it would not be effective on some occasions.

Waters is a rather simple and casual option and it will not be effective in cleaning the car windshield when covered with bird droppings, bugs and even road grime.

Water is an excellent option to go for if you live in an area experiencing a warm climate and you will need to avoid harming the environment with toxic substances that are found in most commercial windshield washer fluids.

Windshield washer fluid is an excellent option to for when you want to clean your windshield effectively when compared with water.

This is because it is manufactured from a number of highly effective ingredients that ensure that the windshield is thoroughly cleaned.

You are guaranteed of a windshield that is clear when cleaned with a good type of windshield washer fluid.

Unlike water, it has some antifreeze which ensures that the windshield washer fluid does not freeze when the temperature falls below a certain level.

This enables the windshield washer fluid to work well even when it is the winter season and a lot of snow forms on the surface of car windshields, and you need to have them cleared.

Conclusion

Windshield wiper fluid is an important product when you need to clean the surface of your windshield effectively.

This is especially when it is covered with stubborn dirt particles that can’t be easily cleaned with ordinary water as it lacks the ingredients to deal with this mess.

You will also find that it is quite dangerous to drive in snow weather if you do not have the windshield washer fluid cleaning your car windshield.

A homemade windshield washer fluid would be a great option to go for due to a number of reasons.

For instance, a homemade windshield washer fluid does not contain harmful products that may pollute the environment or harm any living thing close to it.

This option is also quite affordable as most brands of windshield washer fluids are quite expensive when you buy over the counter.

Sources:

1. Car Bibles – https://www.carbibles.com/homemade-windshield-washer-fluid/
2. Mom 4 Real – https://www.mom4real.com/how-to-make-windshield-washer-fluid-with-3-ingredients/