Millions of motorists will encounter a common problem during the winter months as temperatures drop. However, there's one garden tool found in most British sheds that could help save a lot of time on frosty mornings.
Recent forecasts claim that the UK should expect no end to the current sub-zero conditions. Dozens of counties throughout England, Scotland, and Wales remain under threat of experiencing snow and ice, according to Met Office alerts, with predictions of temperatures plummeting to -11C.
Former salesman turned car photographer Pete, known as @capturing_cars on social media, claims that a standard gardening tool helps him to quickly and easily remove frost from vehicles when conditions become bitter. He even suggests he cannot do the tool enough justice on camera.
Whilst clearing a single vehicle might seem straightforward in the morning, when time is crucial, motorists may turn to faster approaches, and the garden tool could prove very helpful, reports the Mirror. He said: "I've made a lot of videos about de-icing cars, and I stand by all of those videos I made. But this is how I de-ice cars at work.
"When I've got seven of them to do and only a couple of hours to do them, all in plenty of warm water and a watering can. Job done - seven more to do."
In the clip, Pete uses the watering can to tip warm water over the frosty cars, and within a few seconds, the vehicle has a clear view out of the windshield. He demonstrated that the method also worked on other parts of the car, including the roof and hood.
Watering cans may not be readily available in shops, as the season is not ideal for gardening. However, motorists could discover affordable alternatives online for under £5 from retailers such as Amazon if they don't already have a watering can at home.
When the weather takes a frosty turn, various techniques involving water to clear windscreens of snow and ice often circulate online. One such popular hack involves dragging a plastic bag filled with warm water across the glass.
It may seem like a quick and simple solution, especially when you're in a hurry to leave the house in the morning. However, using boiling water from the kettle on a frozen windscreen could result in an expensive issue.
The stark temperature difference between the icy windscreen and the scalding hot water can trigger thermal shock. This sudden change can cause the glass to crack and shatter. Those who already have minor chips, cracks or other surface damage on their car windscreens are at an increased risk of this type of damage.
If you do choose to use the water method, lukewarm temperatures around 30 or 40C are generally safe for most windscreens. Those with chips, cracks, or other surface damage should consider alternative methods, such as using commercial de-icer or setting the car's defroster to high heat to gradually warm the glass.
Be mindful of refreezing if using lukewarm water. It's advisable to dry the wet windscreen with an old cloth to prevent fresh ice from forming on it. Any water that spills onto the path or driveway where cars are parked could refreeze, creating a secondary hazard for yourself or other pedestrians.