We’ve all been there. You’re going to be late for work, so you jump into the car and you’re greeted by fogged windows. No matter what you try, it never seems to work. You end up getting frustrated and driving in an unsafe way. How do you prevent car windows from fogging? In this guide, we’ll talk about fogging windows. We’ll tell you what causes them and how to prevent your windows from fogging up.
What causes windows to fog up?
The simple answer is that science fogs up your windows. It wreaks havoc on the visibility of windows in a few different ways. This is mainly due to moisture, dust, temperature differences, and using the wrong materials to clean the windows.
Moisture in the air
Ways to prevent fogging of car windows: If there is a lot of moisture in the air inside the car, the glass will fog up. In this case, it is the water droplets in the air that fall on the glass and condense.
Moisture can come from water sources in the car, wet clothes while driving, or moist air. When it’s raining or snowing, it’s always a good idea to brace yourself before getting in the car.
Dust
One of the causes of fogging is that there is a lot of dust on the windows. Dust provides additional surface area on which condensation can accumulate. On top of that, dust can also create glare on your windows. Overall, having it on a window is a terrible thing.
Improper cleaning
We’ve all been there – you get into your car and you’re in a hurry. The windows are fogged up, so you quickly wipe it clean with your shirt sleeve so you can see.
This form of improper cleaning can make the problem worse over time. You’re not doing anything about the root cause of the fog. Not only is there still dirt on the windshield, but now you’re adding oil and potential micro-scratches to the glass. Any one of them can make the problem worse.
The best practice is to never use sleeves, napkins, old rags, or your hands to wipe windows.
Temperature
If the outside temperature is different from the indoor temperature, your windows may fog up. The difference must be severe enough for the water vapor in the air to start condensing on the glass.
The warmer side of the glass will fog up. This means that on hot days, you will see fog outside, and on cold days, you will fog up indoors.
How to prevent car windows from fogging up
It’s one thing to know what caused the fog. The more important part of the puzzle is to find out what you can do to get out of this trouble. Let’s take a look at some of the methods and materials you can use to kick the fog to the side of the road.
Use a window cleaner outside
Rain-X 5071268 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner & Rain Preventer
Rain-X 5071268 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner & Rain Preventer
A quick way to keep your windows clean is to use a window cleaner. This removes dust, prevents standing water, and creates a smooth surface on your windows. With regular use of window cleaners, fogged windows will become a distant memory.
We always recommend using this one from rain-x because it works best. It’s the same company that sells windshield wipers, so they know how to get around your car window. We’ve tried a lot of different options, and this one works best so far.
Running alternating current
In the middle of winter, the last thing you want to do is blow up the air conditioner. With a little bit of science, it’s very effective at defogging windows. It removes moisture from the air and corrects the temperature difference on the windows.
If you don’t like the cold air blowing towards you, shift your vents and let them point at your window. You just have to run it when the window is fogged up and then you can turn off the air conditioner.
Ways to prevent fogging up car windows: Keep air circulating
Another thing that causes fogging is the stagnation of the air inside the car. If it doesn’t have a chance to recirculate, it will cause fogging. Keep the vents open while driving to help promote air recirculation.
Check your aircon settings to see if you have a recirculation option and make sure to keep it on.
Crack the window
Opening the window helps with the recirculation as well as the temperature gradient on the window. As long as it’s not raining, there’s nothing wrong with letting some natural air indoors.
If the air inside your car is hot and humid, opening the windows can help take it out of the car.
Clean the windows from the inside
Windex 32 oz spray bottle with glass and window cleaner
Windex Original Blue Flat Cap 32 oz Spray Bottle with Glass & Window Cleaner
Similar to one of our previous recommendations, you can always use only standard glass cleaners. The secret is to use it on the inner surface of all windows. Rain-x works best on the exterior surface, and we always use the WINDEX for the interior.
When using, make sure to open the windows so that the chemicals can be discharged. Use a soft cloth and wipe in circular motions for optimal cleaning.
Use cat litter (or desiccant bag)
WiseDry 50g [10 Packets] Silicone Desiccant Packet Microwave Quick Reactivation
WiseDry 50g [10 Packets] Silicone Desiccant Packet Microwave Quick Reactivation
How do you prevent car windows from fogging? Did you know that cat litter can help you defog your windows? It is an absorbent material that is very cheap and easy to use in your car.
We recommend filling a sock with cat litter and placing it somewhere on the floor. It eats some of the moisture in the air, reducing the chance of fogging the windows. Alternatively, you can use specialized desiccant bags, such as those small silicone bags that you sometimes see in beef jerky bags.
A desiccant is simply a material that is able to absorb a lot of moisture. Like a miniature sponge, but better. Using enough of these will draw moisture out of the air. This is especially useful in places like Florida where the air is always humid.
Repair the heater of the car
In some cases, fogging of windows can be caused by a faulty heater. If your car isn’t blowing hot air when it turns all the way up, there might be something wrong under the hood.
Frequently fogged windows can be a symptom of a damaged car heating system. Maybe it’s time to take a look or ask a mechanic to check it out.
Check your car’s thermostat
Similar to car heaters, thermostats can also be the culprit. Thermometers are used to regulate the temperature and keep the air moving. It also stops the water from circulating above a certain temperature. It’s a good idea to check on your thermostat at the same time as you are using it – replacing it is very cheap and easy to operate.
Check for other sources of moisture
If you’ve tried some other solutions and the problem persists, check out your car. Feel your floor mats, fabric seats, and look for sources of moisture.
If your floor mats get wet frequently, then they could be the reason why your windows are constantly fogging. It’s easy to clean, dry, and replace these mats.
There may also be leaks or cracks in the window seals within your heater matrix. Anything that causes extra moisture in the car needs to be dealt with.
Use an icer
Sprayway SW758 Industrial De-Icer 16 oz
Sprayway SW758 Industrial De-Icer 16 oz
For friends in cold regions, do you have a quality de-icer? As you know, ice is a type of water that adds extra moisture to your car. It also gives your windows a chilly look. When you heat the interior of your car, the ice creates a temperature gradient that creates fog.
Hit your windows with de-icing spray to get rid of the morning frost and say goodbye to the fog.
Replace the shattered windshield
A shattered windshield is indeed dangerous, but it can also be the cause of fogging up your windows. Mild air and moisture can enter your car for free through a cracked windshield.
Ways to prevent fogging up car windows: Use high-quality towels
Diamond Glass Microfiber Windows & Chrome Towel 16″ x 16″ – Set of 4 Blue
Diamond Glass Microfiber Windows & Chrome Towel 16″ x 16″ – Set of 4 Blue
If your towel has any hard materials or defects on a microscopic level, you may actually make the fogging problem worse. On top of that, the oil and wrong materials in a low-quality towel or rag can also make the situation worse.
The solution is to use high-quality towels that are specifically designed for use with automotive glass. Our team only uses Diamond Glass brand towels. This is another area where we’ve done a lot of trial and error, and nothing comes close to what we’ve seen. They’re affordable and perfect for use on your windows and mirrors.
Put your hot coffee in a thermos
How do you prevent car windows from fogging? Another reliable way to fog up a window is to open a container with hot liquid. The resulting steam will go directly into your windows and start fogging them.
Just grab a thermos with a lid and make your life easier. We’d never advise you to get rid of hot coffee – that’s impossible!
Fog-free riding
You’ve just learned more about fog in your car. At this point, you know what’s causing it, and you have some solutions to try. You no longer have to drive with your head stuck out of the sunroof to get to work. Keep those windows fog-free and your boss won’t yell at you for being late again!
