Here’s how to make your own cheap windshield washer fluid for the winter

Not all windshield wiper fluid is suitable for cold winter weather. Antifreeze offers a solution. But how do you know what temperatures windshield washer fluid can withstand? And can you make your own windshield wiper fluid?

While you can fill the windshield wiper fluid reservoir with water or regular windshield washer fluid in the summer, this won’t work in the winter. If the whole thing in the container isn’t already frozen solid, the water may freeze when it hits your windshield.

Windshield wiper fluid with antifreeze

The solution is windshield washer fluid with antifreeze. It is clearly visible on the packaging whether the windshield wiper fluid contains antifreeze. It also indicates what temperature the liquid can withstand. The temperature is often -10 or -20 degrees Celsius. Windshield washer fluid with antifreeze is usually blue in color, while fluid without antifreeze (intended for summer) is often pink or yellow.

If the mercury level is already very low and you notice that there is still windshield wiper fluid without antifreeze in the reservoir, you can add concentrated antifreeze. This stuff makes your summer windshield washer fluid cold-resistant. The temperature your liquid can then drop to before it freezes depends on the mixing ratio.

Make your own windshield washer fluid

As mentioned, it is also possible to make your own windshield wiper fluid. Use a clean mixing bowl as dirt can clog the nozzles. In summer, water (possibly halved with glass cleaner or a small drop of dishwashing liquid) is sufficient. If you want to use the windshield washer fluid in winter, denatured alcohol or bio-ethanol can serve as antifreeze.

The mixing ratio is a bit of speculation, as parties like the ANWB do not give advice on homemade windshield wiper fluid upon request. The Ruitenwisserdienst website speaks of 1 liter of spirit for 4 liters of water. If you know that a liter bottle of alcohol costs around 2 euros, that’s at least 0.40 euros per liter.

If it doesn’t help, it won’t hurt

However, this party also points out that homemade windshield washer fluid is not recommended. Alcohol is a dangerous substance and buying ready-made windshield wiper fluid is not much more expensive.

De Bovag is less strongly opposed. “If it doesn’t help, it won’t hurt,” a spokesperson tells Autovisie. “Of course we can’t check every recipe, but you could use a good homemade windshield wiper fluid recipe. It is important that you check what you put in yourself so that the pipes and pump are not damaged.

It’s not worth making your own windshield wiper fluid

“The question is whether it’s worth it,” says De Bovag. “After all, ready-made windshield washer fluid is not much more expensive and you can be sure that it works. Windshield wiper fluid that you buy in the store often contains a shine agent, a protective layer and a pleasant scent. You usually can’t get the latter with your own mixture.”

In many places you can buy ready-made windshield washer fluid with antifreeze for a few cents more per liter. Therefore, it doesn’t seem worth mixing windshield washer fluid yourself. However, when stores are closed, this simple recipe can be a solution.