How To Keep Windows From Fogging Up? Here Are 9 Ways

The winter months can often conjure thoughts of cozy evenings by the fire, sledding, sweaters, and a mug of hot cocoa. The change of season can be a welcome segue from the warmer months for some, while others would rather be daydreaming of sunshine and warmer days by the pool.

The winter seasons are conducive to slippery walkways, dangerous roads, and precarious, icy conditions. Whichever way you like to celebrate the cooler months, there’s a single problem we all seem to face – a foggy windshield each and every morning.

Is your driving view constantly obscured by windows that “fog up” during the winter months? It can be quite frustrating when you’re in a rush, ready to start your day and you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, only to find out the windows are completely fogged up.

10 Ways To Stop Your Car From Fogging In The Winter

Perhaps you’re on the road and all of a sudden, out of nowhere, your windows begin to cloud up, obstructing your vision? We’ve all been there! To help alleviate that frustration, and minimize the risk while driving, here are 10 tips on how to stop car windows from fogging up in the winter months.

Vehicle covered with snow.

Firstly, we should address why our windows fog up in the first place. Quite simply, when warm air (either inside or outside of the vehicle) makes contact with that of the cold glass surface, it causes condensation & clouding, often giving your windows a misty glaze.

It can certainly be a nuisance if you’re in a rush to get to work that morning and even presents as a severe driving hazard. Either way, it’s a problem we all face and usually requires a quick fix to get us on the road as soon as possible. Here are some simple and effective ways to stop your car windows from fogging up the next time you decide to get behind the wheel.

1. Turn on your engine first

While it might seem like an obvious first approach for most, this should be your go-to step if your vehicle has been stationary and you’ve got windows that are already fogged up. This is going to get the car’s engine warm and you can begin the process of reducing the fog that’s accumulated on your car’s windows. Keep your engine running and follow the next few steps.

2. Switch on the air conditioning

Once you’ve got the car engine running, it’s time to cool the warmer air inside the vehicle and begin reducing the fog and condensation. The air inside is likely to be more humid and contains a lot of moisture, so you’ll need to hit the air conditioning switch if you have one.

Turning on car airconditioning system.

You should start to see a noticeable difference quite quickly. Our goal here is to match the humidity and temperature of the inside air with the outside air. Your vehicle’s air conditioning will help to achieve this quickly. You’ll notice the cloudiness and fog will slowly start to dissipate soon after.

3. Open your windows

If you don’t have the luxury of air conditioning, it’s time to open your car windows and start to equalize the warm air inside the vehicle – you need it to match the air outside to start the “defogging” process.

While it certainly isn’t pleasant to just sit there and wait in the freezing cold, this might be your only option. This method is a little slower, but you’ll eventually start to see results. If you’d like to expedite the process or remove it together, take a look at the tip at number four.

4. Apply an anti-fog solution

To stop your car from fogging in the winter altogether, you may want to try an “anti fog” solution. Our recommendation is the Rain-X anti-fog solution. Rain-X is a reliable and affordable product range, not just limited to anti-fog solutions.

Using the Rain X anti fog spray on a microfiber cloth.

You might want to switch between applying an anti-fog solution to the interior or exterior of the window based on the climate and season. Simply spray on the solution and wipe clean with a clean microfiber cloth. Re-apply as needed. You can check out other anti-fog products right here.

5. Reduce the level of moisture you bring into your vehicle

Ideally, you need to reduce the moisture in your car altogether – so try to eliminate bringing wet coats, boots, and other items of clothing into your vehicle to begin with. This certainly won’t help to stop your car windows from fogging up, so if you’re able to shed those damp, wet clothing items if possible.

You can store damp or moist items in your trunk or even purchase plastic utility boxes to temporarily keep those items in until the windshield fogging has cleared. Besides, no one wants to sit around in soggy wet clothing anyway.

6. Shaving cream

Ok, ok, hear us out on this one. This hack works and is super simple! Who would’ve thought that the humble shaving foam could be such a lifesaver when it comes to stopping your car windows from fogging in the winter?

This simple hack isn’t just limited to car windows either, it has a multitude of additional purposes. Just apply a thin layer of shaving foam to your windscreen, leave it to sit for ten minutes, and then wipe off clean with a microfiber cloth. This works for any glass you might have in your home too! It’s a simple, affordable, and quick-fix solution.

7. Try a dehumidifier

While it’d be great to have a full dehumidifying system to plug into the car each winter morning, it’s not exactly practical for most people. A great alternative is the small dehumidifying boxes you can buy from your local grocery store or Amazon.

They’re filled with silica gel beads designed to capture and store moisture. This is a great option to leave in your vehicle overnight to help reduce any fogging or condensation. We’d recommend purchasing a few of these to have on hand at any given moment.

Additionally, you can purchase small wireless or plug-and-play style dehumidifiers for your vehicle. These are easy to purchase on Amazon and eBay and offer a great quick solution to stop your car windows from fogging up. If you’re someone who often experiences issues with foggy windows at any time of year, this might be a brilliant solution for you.

8. Change your climate control settings

Haven’t adjusted your car’s climate control settings in a while? It might be time to make some adjustments. If your vehicle’s air conditioning or heater settings are set to “recirculate”, it could be creating the ideal conditions for fog and cloudiness on the windshield to develop and continue.

Ensure you’ve set the climate control settings to utilize the fresh air from outside, rather than that of the inside air of the vehicle. You’ll only be pushing around moist, humid air from inside the car – a situation that unfortunately, won’t resolve the issue of your car fogging up in the winter.

9. Turn on the defogger

It might seem obvious, but it goes without saying – the defogger that your vehicle is equipped with will help eliminate drops of water and condensation from the vehicle, ensuring you’ve got clear visibility to continue driving. It can be a slow process if it’s still quite cold outside, so be patient and the results will eventually come.

10. Keep your windshield clean

Grime, dirt, and dusts are all magnets for attracting condensation and a foggy window. Ensure you’re keeping the inside and outside of the windshield and other windows free of dirt by cleaning them regularly.

The inside of the windows can be cleaned with an appropriate glass cleaner designed for your windshield. If you’re looking for a handy DIY alternative, use equal parts warm water and vinegar for a streak-free shine. Clean regularly to ensure you get the best results.

How Do I Stop My Car Windows From Fogging Up Without A/C?

Here are some simple ways that will keep your car windows from fogging up without A/C:

1. Clean the outside of your windows – In addition to wiping down your car’s interior, it is also important to clean the exterior of your car’s windows. Dirt and grime accumulate on these surfaces as well and can contribute to fogging on humid days. Use a soft rag or a squeegee to clean the outside of all windows before you drive your car and during breaks in your travels.

2. Use a window tint – Another option for preventing window fog in your vehicle during a humid day is to use a window tint. Window tints are designed to keep the inside of your car’s windows from getting too much heat and they also reduce the amount of UV rays that get through your car windows, thus reducing the potential for them to get foggy as well.

Man installing window tinting on car.

3. Block direct sunlight – When you are out driving in a car that has front and back windshields, it is important to block sunlight directly hitting one side of your car by using either an umbrella or another car to keep sunlight from shining on one side of your vehicle. This can help reduce the potential that all of your car windows will get foggy on a humid day.

4. Keep your car ventilated – When you are parked in an unpaved area or away from the pavement and out in the open, leave your windows down slightly to keep air flowing through it. Air circulation is especially important if there is humidity outside so that moisture does not pool up inside of your vehicle.

How To Stop The Inside of A Windshield From Fogging

One of the many questions drivers ask themselves is, “What can I use on the inside of my windshield to stop fogging?” One way to keep your windshield from fogging up is to use anti-fog glass cleaner. These cleaners are made specifically for this purpose and are available at most automotive stores.

An alternative option is a combination of vinegar and water in a small spray bottle. This mixture will give you the same results, but it can be hard to find these ingredients at stores. You should use an anti-fog cloth if you want the best possible results, but these can be difficult to find as well. You may need to purchase one online.

Here is how you can use vinegar, water, or a combination of both to keep your windshield from fogging. Follow these steps:

  • Open the hood and locate the car’s windshield washer fluid reservoir.
  • Use a pair of scissors to cut the hose that runs from it.
  • Remove all debris from inside the reservoir unless you plan on using vinegar as your windshield cleaner.
  • Fill up the reservoir with vinegar until it is at least half full. This will also prevent any residue from settling in it during drying time.
  • Place a clean cloth over the top of the vinegar and secure it with a rubber band.
  • Reattach the hose to its original location and allow time for this mixture to absorb into your windshield.
  • Rinse your windshield with clear water as needed.

If these steps are followed correctly, you should be able to keep your windshield from fogging up for quite some time. More severe forms of fogging can often be resolved with a simple wipe down with a clean piece of cloth.

Conclusion

There you have it -10 ways to stop your car from fogging in the winter! Your winter season is now a little less stressful and you can focus on having an enjoyable holiday period.

Happy family riding in their car on winter day.

The next time you’re about to get behind the wheel or find yourself in a situation where your windows start to cloud over, don’t panic. Hopefully, these tips do the trick to help stop your car windows from fogging up.

Don’t forget to check out the anti-fog products here to ensure your windows stay fog-free now and well into the future. By following our list of ways on how to stop car windows from fogging up, you can ensure a clean, visible windshield each time you get behind the wheel this winter season.

These tips are certainly some of the most effective, but if you have others that you’d like to contribute in the comments below, please feel free to do so. Have you got some additional questions about foggy car windows that you’d love to have answered? We’d love to hear them, so feel free to mention them below.

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About Matthew Webb

Hi, I am Matthew! I am a dedicated car nerd! During the day, I am a journalist, at night I enjoy working on my 2 project cars. I have been a car nerd all my life, and am excited to share my knowledge with you!

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