Fogging is a common problem that bothers all drivers. For better visibility and safe driving, it is important to thoroughly clean the windshield. But, if you’re averse to chemicals, there are other methods that will be just as effective at removing fogging and leaving glass crystal clear. Shaving foam is one of them. It may surprise you, but this household product offers a deep clean. Quickly discover this unsuspected use of your shaving foam.
Why is there fog inside the car?
The reason why the car windshield fogs up is, as you can imagine, purely physical. The air we breathe contains water vapor, called “humidity.” Specifically, the higher its temperature, the more water vapor dissolves the air (which is why tropical climates are so humid). In order for water to remain in a vapor state, it must be kept above a certain temperature, which is called the “dew point.” When humid air comes into contact with cold glass, it cools and condenses into tiny droplets, causing it to fog up.
Sometimes it is the humidity in the environment that causes the windshield to fog up. When it rains in very cold seasons or in more humid areas such as the coast or the mountains, the windows tend to fog up much more easily. And, in other cases, it is the car passengers themselves who breathe the humid air into the passenger compartment (along with the humidity in the mouth and nostrils). As a result, the windshield eventually fogs up.
Also read: This button defrosts the windshield in one minute – saves time
But then, how to prevent the car from fogging up? It would be a good idea to use silica gel, a porous, granular silicon dioxide material. This product is generally used to dehydrate and eliminate environmental humidity. It is also usually present in some bags or shoe boxes to prevent them from deteriorating. Therefore, it is enough to put these small marbles in several bags and place them along the dashboard near the windshield. The silica gel will absorb moisture and prevent the window from fogging up.
Fog on the windshield – Source: spm
Winter rains, but also very low temperatures, bring back the usual problem of fogging up the windows due to humidity and the difference in temperature between inside and outside. To alleviate this inconvenience we usually turn on the hot air from the air conditioning. But in some cases, it can make the situation worse because as the temperature inside the car rises, once the hot air stops circulating, we have the same problem again. And it’s also not healthy to repeatedly turn the air conditioner on and off.
So what are the other options available to you? There is a clever method with shaving foam to effectively dissipate this mist. If your car windows are still fogging up on the inside, all you need to do is pour some foam onto a clean cloth and give them a good wipe down. Then you will notice that the humidity will disappear and you will notice a kind of protective patina that will prevent the fog from forming again.
Strange as it may seem, the effectiveness of shaving foam is surprising, comparable to that of traditional anti-fog liquids. This ordinary product will thus remove all accumulated condensation. Have you run out of shaving foam in the bathroom? So you probably had some leftover shampoo. Because, the latter is also known to remove the fog that accumulates on the windshield. Ideally, if you have children’s shampoo, it will have better effects. Same principle: pour it on the cloth to rub the entire surface of the windshield. Do not mix it with water so as not to leave drops on the glass that can cause annoying reflections for the driver. For your information, the shampoo method is widely used in the diving world: divers apply it to their goggles to prevent them from fogging up.
Also read: Say goodbye to windshield scratches in 1 minute with this simple trick
Another relevant solution: as an alternative to the classic anti-fog liquid, you can make your own home remedy based on water (66%) and white vinegar (33%). Apply this solution to the windshield with newspaper. Guaranteed transparency!
Clean windshield inside – Source: spm
To clean the glass inside, you can use absorbent paper, also damp. Wet the surface of the windshield well, and then take a synthetic cloth, soaked in water and neutral soap. Stroke up and down across the entire area. Then rinse with clean water applied to another cloth to remove all soap residue. Finally, let it air dry. Then, if there is still any residue, gently wipe with a soft microfiber cloth. There you have it, your windshield is clean and shiny, without the slightest annoying trace!
Also read: Why are car windshields tinted at the top? for an important reason
