Anything on your windshield that reduces your ability to see is a large safety hazard; haze being one of the major ones. Haze on the interior side of the windshield is a fairly common occurrence. If you or one of your passengers smoke, this heavily contributes to haze buildup from the smoke residue. Some other factors that cause this are roadside dust, acid rain and any kind of smog. In this article we will discuss a few products you can use to clean haze and the step by step process to help you clean your windshield properly.

Five Items that Clean Windshield Haze

There are several items you can use that work well to clean windshield haze. For some of these you have the choice of mixing them yourself or buying them ready to go. Depending on the severity of haze on your car’s windshield, you may have to clean your windshield more than once to thoroughly get rid of all the haze. The most popular items that clean windshield haze include:

1. Water and White Vinegar

This mixture is known to be a safe multipurpose cleaner and it also happens to be one of the most effective home remedies available. Mix up a spray bottle using 1:1 vinegar to water ratio. For more severe haze, you may want to add more vinegar to your solution. Spray it on your windshield’s interior then simply wipe it off.

2. Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner Spray

If you prefer purchasing a ready to go cleaner then this Armour All Glass Cleaner is a good choice to treat the haze on your windshield. A small amount of this spray goes a long way when it comes to cleaning car windshields.

3. Invisible Glass

Another product that does a great job of cleaning car windshields is Invisible Glass. This glass cleaner gets rid of any residue while preventing streaks leaving you with the feeling that the glass in front of you is invisible as suggested by its name.

4. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

If you have layers of haze on your windshield that traditional cleaners won’t remove then I suggest using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. Magic erasers work wonderfully for getting rid of the tougher gunk on windshields. This product is slightly abrasive but it’s not abrasive enough to scratch your windshield while you use it. Although I would suggest not using this method on tinted windows since there is a risk of damaging the tint.

5. Rubbing Alcohol

Another great cleaner for sticky substances that doesn’t leave a residue is rubbing alcohol. Along with breaking down sticky or hard substances, rubbing alcohol dries very quickly without leaving streaks.

How to Clean Windshield Haze – Step by Step

For simplicity’s sake, we are going to use the mix of white vinegar and water to clean your windshield in this guide. Here is a list of items you will need:

Items List

• One cup of water
• One cup of white vinegar
• Mixing bowl or cup
• Spray bottle
• Microfiber Cloth
• Towels (optional)

Step One

Mix one cup of water and one cup of white vinegar in your mixing bowl or cup until they’re well blended. Pour them into a spray bottle.

Step Two

Put towels over your dashboard to protect it from accidental drops and spills. Before you spray anything, give your bottle of vinegar and water a shake to make sure it’s well mixed.

Step Three

Spray the windshield’s interior generously with your mixture. You want to make sure you cover the windshield with a good coat of the mixture. The more the vinegar comes into contact with any grime, the easier it will be to cut through it.

Step Four

Wipe away the water and vinegar with microfiber cloths. You want to get all of the water and vinegar mixture off. If it still looks hazy, repeat steps one through four until you are satisfied. You may also use this mixture on the outside of the windshield if needed.

Tips for Keeping Your Windshield Clean

Along with routine cleaning, there are a few preventative measures you can take to help keep your car’s windshield squeaky clean. Some tips include:

• Microfiber Cloths – You want to specifically go for microfiber cloth when choosing what to wipe your windshield with. This type of cloth prevents streaks because it has a very dense but soft fiber.
• Avoid Using Ammonia on Tinted Windows – Ammonia can ruin tint if applied directly to it. This is true even if you wipe it off right away. Double-check your windshield cleaner’s formula if you plan to clean your windshield with tinting agents.
• Don’t Smoke in the Car – One of the biggest contributors to the build-up of haze on your car’s windshield is cigarette smoke. You will be able to tell if this is the problem because smoke residue will turn your towels yellow when you clean it off the windshield.
• Use a Windshield Sunshade – If you park in direct sunlight, consider getting a good windshield sunshade. This will keep your car as cool as possible during the summer and it will prevent rising warm fumes from hitting your car’s windshield.
• Avoid Abrasive Material – Even though your windshield is made from durable materials, you can still scratch it if you clean it with an abrasive material. Paper towels, magic erasers, newspapers, or microfiber cloth are some of the acceptable materials that can be used since they are not abrasive enough to cause scratches. Other harsh clothes or products should be used with caution.

Bottom Line

Making it a habit to clean your car’s windshield on a regular basis and taking precautions to prevent haze will give you an unobstructed field of view that is safer to drive with. Take the initiative to use the tips, products, and guides given in this article to help you prevent and remove haze. You will see for yourself how clear and clean your windshield will look which will in return give you a much better driving experience.