A windshield washer fluid might just be the perfect project for a DIY enthusiast. It is really easy to make and all the ingredients are cheap. The question is whether this is a better solution than getting a store-bought fluid and whether it is safe to use?
This question and its numerous answers are what we’ll take a closer look at in this article, including the best recipes in case you decide to make some of that windshield washer moonshine.
Store-Bought Windshield Washer Fluids – What are the Options?
Before we get any deeper into this subject, it’s worth noting that no amount of fancy or DIY fluid will compensate for worn wiper blades. If you notice that your wipers are on their way out, replace them as soon as possible. With that said, there is a wide range of windshield washer fluids available. With hundreds of manufacturers and different types of mixtures, it can be quite difficult to choose the right one and not get overwhelmed by the number of options available.
First and foremost, the fluids are divided into summer and winter mixtures. In the winter months, it is important to fill up your car with a so-called winterized washer fluid. These are available in a number of specifications, with the most cold-proof fluids being rated at up to -50 °F. Choose the temperature proofing based on your local climate. Some manufacturers also offer all-season fluids for a more universal solution.
Based on your preference, you can also choose between ready-to-use windshield washer fluids and concentrates that need to be mixed with distilled water. Usually, manufacturers advise diluting using a roughly 1:1 ratio.
Besides that, some brands offer washer fluids with improved formulas to provide additional benefits to the driver. The most common are mixtures with more aggressive solutions that are specially designated to remove dirt, grime, and bug splash from your windshield. There are also windshield washer fluids with additives for repelling rain drops, or for de-icing. Of course, you should also need to stay on top of your windshield wiper health as wipers are the Ying to the washer fluid Yang. One rarely produces good results without the other.
How is Windshield Washer Fluid Made?
Manufacturers create washer fluids using a combination of solvents with a detergent. In the case of fluids intended for use during winters, ethanol, isopropanol, or butanone are added, in order to bring down the freezing point of the mixture. As mentioned before, certain fluids may also include additives with elaborate formulas for improved cleaning or other effects.
Make Your Own In a Matter of Minutes
If you like things to be simple, you will be pleasantly surprised with how easy it is to create your own windshield washer fluid at home. All you need to create it are two ingredients:
· Vinegar
· Distilled water
Simply mix these two ingredients in a 1:1 ratio for the desired amount, and you are done! Most cars can hold around three-quarters of a gallon of windshield washer fluid, so use around half a gallon of each ingredient.
This recipe is best suited for climates with warmer temperatures, as it has a high freezing point. On the other hand, it is safe for the environment and with no added chemicals.
Vinegar-Free Option
If you are worried about the smell of vinegar, you can use an alternative recipe with the following ingredients, that is just as easy to make:
· Glass cleaner
· Distilled water
With this recipe, you want to aim roughly for a 1:3 ratio. Mix one part glass cleaner with three parts distilled water for the desired amount.
For Those That Want to Go the Extra Mile
Those that want to come up with a solution most similar to the store-bough option, and want to go the extra mile, can use the following ingredients:
· Distilled water
· Rubbing alcohol
· Dish soap
· Food coloring (optional)
Here, the ratio is a bit more complicated. Use about eight ounces of rubbing alcohol on one gallon of distilled water, then add just a few drops of dish soap. Optionally, you can also add some blue food coloring to make your DIY washer fluid look more like the “real deal”. Then, simply stir the mixture and add it to your washer fluid reservoir. Thanks to the alcohol, this washer fluid is the best of the three recipes for use in low temperatures, as it has a lower freezing point.
What You Should Know
Beware that using the wrong ingredients and ratios may hinder the results and possibly damage the washer fluid system. Because of this, keep in mind the following:
- You should always use distilled water to create your windshield washer fluid. Tap water contains lots of minerals that will result in scale buildup in the system. Also, tap water will leave water spots on your vehicle.
- You should preferably use a dish soap that is PH neutral (if your car is waxed) and not too aggressive. The liquid castile soap works the best in this regard, although regular dish soap will do the job as well.
- Less is sometimes more. Start by adding just a bit of soap to your washer fluid mixture, as adding too much could make the mixture too thick, and difficult for the washer fluid system to distribute.
All provided options work really well, although it is true that the last variant which uses rubbing alcohol is the best all-around DIY recipe, especially because it gets the closest to winterized fluids. Ultimately, the results are the same with all recipes – a clean windshield and a great view out of your car.
Is Making Your Own Windshield Washer Fluid Worth It?
Even though making your own windshield washer fluid is simple, there is still the question if it is actually worth doing? While this option allows you to save some money, you are still probably better off using a store-bought fluid.
The Good
There are not many ingredients needed to make the washer fluid, and they are very cheap to get. Chances are, that you might even have all the ingredients at home already. In this case, making a DIY fluid at home might save you some time. This way, you can also make the exact amount of windshield washer fluid you need, with no extra canisters lying around your garage.
It is also important to mention that there have been concerns about the environmental effects of windshield washer fluids. Some researchers argue that it can lead to pollution of air and water. In fact, washer fluids containing methanol have been banned from use in Europe due to their toxicity and health risks. Thus, making the mixture at home using only water and soap seems like an environmentally friendly option.
The Bad
Store-bought windshield washer fluids are made to prevent any clogging and scale buildup in the washer nozzles, hoses, and pumps that are part of the washer fluid system. You cannot ensure this when using a DIY recipe at home. In fact, there is nothing worse than replacing washer nozzles in the dead of winter when you need the most because they’ve become clogged up.
In freezing temperatures, it is also important to have an anti-freeze fluid. Without it, the washer system may be damaged due to the fluid freezing up. Conventional store-bought winterized fluids are specifically tested to withstand tough winter conditions. When making your washer mixture at home, it is very difficult to determine the freezing point and precise ratios to ensure that the fluid will perform even in low temperatures.
Do the Right Thing for Your Car
All in all, making your own windshield washer fluid at home seems like a creative and interesting idea. However, the pros of professionally made washer fluids heavily outweigh the few cons they have. Store bought stuff is thoroughly tested to prevent any damage to your vehicle, as well as to withstand low temperatures in case of winterized fluids.
Besides this, manufacturers are working on improving the windshield washer fluids in order to mitigate any fear of environmental pollution. For example, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has already brought around measures to limit the negative effects that undiluted washer fluid mixtures may have on nature. In order to be mindful of the environment, make sure to dilute the windshield washer fluid with enough water, as per the instructions. This will prevent wasting resources, as well as unnecessary pollution.
In the end, you should always keep the long-term reliability of your vehicle as a priority, and store-bought fluids are simply better in this regard. With a mixture from your car parts store, you will not run into any risks of damaging the paint job on your car, or the washer fluid system itself.
