A NIFTY little trick used by hockey players can also be used to demist your car windscreen in seconds – and it only costs £1.
Motoring experts the RAC shared the unusual hack which lets drivers speed up the time required to get their windows clear on chilly mornings and get on the road safely.
GettyA squirt of shaving foam smeared over a car’s windows could prevent them misting up, the RAC says[/caption]
As overnight temperatures are currently remaining low, this means there is often a frost first thing so commuters have to safely defog their car’s windows so they can drive safely.
The RAC has said there are ways drivers can prevent their windows from getting misted up in in the first place.
A spokesperson for the motoring organisation said: “Keeping your windscreen clean will go a long way to stopping it misting up in the first place.
“A handy tip to go the extra mile is to actually clean your windscreen with shaving foam.
“This protective barrier won’t last forever and may need to be repeated regularly, but a windscreen cleaned with shaving foam will be less likely to mist up.
“It’s a little trick hockey players use to stop their face masks from steaming up when they’re on the ice.”
It’s recommended anyone giving this tip a go should apply a small amount onto a clean towel and spread it all over the screen.
Drivers should then take another clean cloth and wipe off the substance completely in order to ensure good visibility.
It should be noted that while the shaving foam may not be visible the substance is still there.
The RAC warned that it is essential drivers have good visibility at all times while behind the wheel.
Driving with your view obscured counts as an offence in the form of driving without due care and attention.
The Highway Code states that windscreens and windows must be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision.
Drivers can be fined £2,500 and three penalty points if they drive with the windows misted up.
According to the price comparison site Trolley.co.uk, a 250ml can of Tusk shaving foam can be bought from Tesco for just 95p.
Additionally, the RAC spokesperson added that owners of cars that do not have air conditioning can also demist their windows quickly and all they have to do is roll their windows down.
How shaving foam can prevent your windows misting up
1 Squirt a small amount of shaving foam onto a clean cloth and then spread it all over the windscreen and window.
2. Take another clean cloth and wipe off the foam entirely.
While the shaving foam may not be easily visible, the substance is still on the glass.
It is essential drivers have good visibility at all times when on the road, the RAC warns.
They said: “If you don’t have a clever climate control system, having the windows down could actually help clear the screen faster.
“This helps because the dry, cold air from outside can help reduce the amount of water vapour inside the car, stopping the screen misting up.
“Then you can begin to warm the car up gradually to a temperature that suits you after you have cleared the windscreen.”
By lowering the windows, this lets wet air inside the motor, to leave and drier air to enter.
To make sure this process goes as fast as possible, the RAC also recommend putting on the heater, directed towards the windscreen, starting off with a low temperature and slowly building it up.
While starting off with a blast of hot air, which may make the driver feel more comfortable when the temperature is down, this could actually overload the interior with wetter air.
There are other ways to get your windscreen cleared quickly.
Car experts at Leasing Options consulted cleaning professionals the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Facebook group to discover the best hacks to prevent condensation.
Fresh cat litter in a pair of tights is among the best because the litter is designed to absorb, so is great at getting rid of moisture in the air.
The cleaning experts said: “Put fresh cat litter in a pair of tights, tie them off at the top and place them on the dashboard close to the windscreen.
“It works a treat.”
Other hacks suggested to decrease moisture include smearing washing-up liquid on your windows and leaving it to dry or dropping a few silica gel packets into a box and keeping them in your car.
GettyAny driver caught not being able to see clearly out of their windows could be hit with a heavy fine[/caption]