Driving in heavy rain is stressful enough. but it gets really scary when your car windshield suddenly turns completely white from the inside. you cannot see the road, the cars ahead, or the streetlights.
You might try to wipe the glass with your hand. but this just makes ugly smudge marks and the fog comes right back a few seconds later. 😐
This happens because the air outside your car is cold and wet, while the air inside your car is warm from your body heat and breath. this mix of cold and warm air creates tiny water drops on the inside of your glass.
You do not need to worry or pull over on the highway. If you want to know how to stop your car windshield from fogging up in the rain, the solution takes less than ten seconds. You just need to know the right buttons to push
What is fastest way to fix clear fog instantly
If you are driving and the fog starts to block your view, you need to change the air inside the car immediately. Here are the exact steps to clear the glass fast.
First, turn on your car air conditioning, even if it is cold outside, the air conditioner is meant for pull moisture out of the air.
Second, turn the temperature dial to the coldest setting. this matches the cold air outside.
Third, press the fresh air button. this button looks like a car with an arrow pointing inside from the outside. do not use the recirculation button. the recirculation button has an arrow going in a circle inside the car. recirculation keeps your wet breath trapped inside the car.
Fourth, turn the fan speed all the way to maximum and point the air vents directly up at the windshield.
Within five to ten seconds, the fog will magically gone away and have a perfectly clear view of the road.
The Free Shaving Cream Trick
You can actually stop the fog from ever forming in the first place using a very simple item from your bathroom. standard shaving cream is an amazing fog preventer.
The soap in the shaving cream leaves a completely invisible protective layer on the glass. water drops cannot stick to this layer.
Take a clean towel and put a small amount of shaving cream on it. rub the cream all over the inside of your windshield. let it for one minute. then take a dry towel and wipe the glass completely clean until you cannot see any cream left. this simple trick will keep your windows fog free for several weeks.
Why dirty glass fogs up faster
If you notice that your windshield fogs up almost every single time it rains, your glass is probably just dirty.
Dust, oils from your skin, and chemical fumes from the plastic dashboard build up on the inside of the glass over time. moisture loves to grab onto these dirt particles.
The best way to prevent fog is to keep the inside glass perfectly clean. you should buy a good quality glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. a microfiber cloth is very important because it does not leave tiny fibers behind like a regular towel does. wipe down the inside of your windshield once a month.
Smart products to keep in your car
If you do not want to use shaving cream, there are a few cheap products you can buy to make driving in the rain much safer.
Anti fog sprays are very popular. you just spray the liquid on the inside glass and wipe it off. these sprays are made specifically for cars and usually last much longer than the shaving cream trick.
Read: 5 Essential Pre-Monsoon Car Checks to Avoid Breakdowns
You can also buy car dehumidifier bags. these are small bags filled with special beads that suck water right out of the air. you just leave one under your car seat. It pulls the extra moisture out of the air before the fog can even form on your windows.
What to do if your car air conditioning is broken
Many older cars do not have a working air conditioner. If your cooling system is broken, clearing the fog is a little harder but definitely possible.
First, you must roll down your windows slightly. even opening them just one inch lets the warm humid air escape and brings in the cooler air from outside. you might want to buy cheap plastic rain guards for your car doors. these small plastic shades let you open the windows slightly during heavy rain without getting the inside of your car completely wet.
If it is raining too hard to open the windows, keep a clean blackboard eraser or a dry microfiber cloth in your glove box. wipe the glass firmly from side to side. you should never use your bare hands to wipe the glass. the natural oils from your skin will leave sticky marks and make the glass fog up twice as fast the next time you drive.
Top anti fog products to buy online
If you want a permanent solution without using shaving cream, buying a dedicated product is the best choice. here are the most effective options you can easily find online.
Rain Repellent Anti Fog Sprays
There are many great sprays on the market right now. you simply spray the liquid onto a cloth and wipe it firmly across the inside of your car windows. it creates an invisible shield that stops moisture from sticking to the glass completely. One small bottle easily lasts for the entire rainy season.
Reusable Car Dehumidifier Bags
These little bags are completely silent and work perfectly. you just place one on your dashboard or under your car seat. the special beads inside pull the water right out of the air before it can reach your windows. when the bag is full of water, a small dot on the front changes color. you can dry the bag in the sun and use it again and again.
Streak Free Automotive Glass Cleaners
Keeping your glass perfectly clean is the real secret to stopping fog. good quality automotive glass cleaners completely remove all the sticky dashboard chemicals and oils from the glass. when the glass is perfectly clean, the water drops simply have nowhere to hide and the fog cannot form.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I use the heater to clear the fog?
You can use hot air to clear the fog, but it takes much longer. hot air holds more water than cold air. if you blast the heater, it might actually make the fog much worse for the first minute before it starts to get better. cold air conditioning is always the fastest way to clear the glass.
Why do my back windows fog up too?
For the same reason that your front windows fog up, so do your back windows. warm air is being absorbed by your passengers into the rear of the vehicle. press the defroster button on your car’s back window as soon as possible. this instantly clears the rear glass by turning on the little orange heated wires in it.
Does cracking the window open help?
Yes, opening your window just a tiny bit helps a lot. It lets the humid air out and brings the fresh outside air in. however, this is usually a bad idea during heavy monsoon rains because water will blow inside and damage your car doors.
