It’s winter time, although you can’t tell here in the midwest (hey not complaining). The winter means dirty, icy, snowy windows, well, usually it does. So here is a quick tip on how to help you keep those windows cleaner and remove ice and snow more easily. First, clean your window with your favorite window cleaner. I prefer something that doesn’t have ammonia in it, because it can cause streaking, even though some popular products say they don’t. Also, ammonia is very bad for your leather and other soft surfaces.

You can get special “window cleaning” micro fiber towels. These are great, as they have a short nap to them and generally help reduce streaking and provide a little buffing action. However, if you want to go the cheap way, use some newspaper. I try to avoid paper towels or other towels like bath towels. First, they usually leave lent and residue behind, also, they are very bad for your car’s paint should you accidentally rub it on.

Assuming you’ve got your window clean, let’s move on to the next step, which is clay barring your window. Now, some of you may be wondering what the hell clay bar is? Well clay bar is just that, a bar of clay that is made for your car’s paint surface. This can be found just about anywhere that sells car care products. (note: liquid clay does not work, don’t waste your money) So, now you have some clay bar, spray on your window cleaner and then begin to rub the clay bar back and forth on the window. After a few times look at your clay bar, it’s going to have black speckles and who knows what in it. That junk was on your window. (It’s in your paint too if you have never clay barred) So once you’ve done your whole window, hit the window again with your class cleaner and microfiber towel/newspaper. You should have a nice clean window now.

The final step is what will make the window easier to remove ice and snow from, as well as dirt. We are going to wax your window. Now I’m sure at this point, you think I’ve gone off my rocker, and while that may be the case, I do know what I’m talking about here. There are special glass sealants out there, Adam’s glass sealant comes to mind, as well as aquapel, rain x, and a few others. These are ideal and if you are going to use a dedicated glass sealant, follow the direction on the bottle. If you can’t find a glass sealant, don’t fret, you can use car wax, although I suggest getting a decent wax and not the cheapest thing you can find. Also, don’t use a cleaner wax, as it will have some abrasives in it that could scratch your window over time. If you are using wax, just apply it like you normally would, let it haze up and wipe it off with your microfiber towel. Ta duh! You now have a sparkling clean window that will help repel all the crap winter throws at you.