How to combat a lost or broken ice scraper – Motor expert shares the best ice scraper alternatives

With extremely cold weather set to freeze parts of the country over the next week, scraping ice off your car in the morning is a daunting task for everyone.

To make matters worse, the prospect of losing or breaking your ice scraper whilst you frantically whizz through the morning rush is nothing short of a horrifying prospect.

Thankfully, Graham Conway, Managing Director of Select Car Leasing, has compiled a list of the best ice scraper alternatives to turn that nightmare into a stress-free morning.

Old credit or membership cards

Credit cards, debit cards, or store membership cards are a perfect alternative to an ice scraper.

The flat edge of the card can be used exactly as an ice scraper would be used, to simply scrape off the ice on a car’s windshield.

However, it is recommended you use a card that’s old and isn’t valuable. The card could be easily broken or water damaged if it contains electronics, so an old credit card or expired debit card that you have no use for anymore is your best option.

Tupperware box

Most people have a pile of tupperware boxes sat unused in a cupboard somewhere, so why not put them to use as an alternative ice scraper?

A reddit user posted a video on the forum r/lifehacks a few years ago, using only a small tupperware box to clear ice off their windshield.

With just a few firm circular motions, the user cleared ice from the windshield with ease.

Kitchen spatula

A spatula, usually made of rubber or plastic, can be used to scrape the ice off car windshields, as the flat edge can be used to break up and remove the ice.

This is an extremely easy alternative, as a spatula is something most people will have in their kitchen drawer or cupboard.

Broom

A broom can also be used as an alternative to a de-icer when you have thin layers of ice on the windshield. Just sweep the ice with some slight force and it should fall off with ease.

CD case

In the age of music streaming and bluetooth, most vehicles have no need for a CD player anymore.

But, if you happen to find some old CDs in the glovebox, the plastic case is a great alternative to an ice scraper. The edge of the plastic works as an effective method to scrape off ice.

De-icer spray

Finally, de-icer sprays can be applied to the windshield before starting the car, which will help to melt the ice and make it easier to scrape off.

This can work in combination with another alternative ice scraper to make the job quicker and easier, especially if you’re dealing with thick ice.

If you don’t have any dedicated de-icer to hand, you could try making your own by mixing water with a few scoops of regular table salt. Try adding it to a clean, empty spray bottle, and simply squirt the mixture onto your windscreen. A few tablespoons of salt added to the water should do the trick.