If we talk about all the car cleaning products and other automobile accessories that help to keep our vehicle clean & safe for driving, windshield washer fluids might be the last one to come in mind or it may not come to mind at all.
Well, most people think why to invest in a windshield washer fluid when you can get the work done by few scrubs of an old rag.
However, it is important to understand that a clean windshield in an integral & unavoidable part of safe driving.
And the key to keeping your windshield clean is a combination of high-quality windshield wipers with a proper windshield washer fluid.
By proper windshield washer fluid, we mean a solution capable of dissolving every kind of dust, debris, dirt, or even bugs present on your vehicle’s windshield.
While some users think that all windshield washer fluids are the same, but let me break it to you that they come in a variety of formulations.
Such as pre-mixed, ready-to-use gallons, concentrated, dry-dissolving tablets etc. depending on your driving situation, the climate you live in.
We are going to share with you a few of the best windshield washer fluids available in the market. But first, let us know a little more about different types of windshield washer fluids.
Types of Windshield Washer Fluid
1. Premixed
It is the most common type of windshield washer fluid and it comes in ready to use plastic made gallon jugs. Even these are available in wide variety, ranging from bug melting blends to deep freeze winter de-icerrs.
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2. Liquid Concentrates
Liquid concentrates fluids are like those small packets with lots of features and if you don’t like to store those big plastic gallon jugs then these are just perfect for you. These can be directly mixed with water present in the washer fluid reservoir.
3. Dry Tablet Concentrates
These dry tablet concentrates are the best in terms of providing convenience & economy, all you are required to do is add these concentrates compressed tablet into water.
They quickly dissolve with into water, easy to store and use. To get an instant washer fluid, just drop them directly into a water-filled reservoir and you are done.
Next, let us talk about the benefits of using Windshield Washer Fluid.
Benefits of Windshield Washer Fluid
1. Safety
The topmost benefit of using a powerful Windshield Washer Fluid is safety, as you know, windshield can get dirty, with smeared bugs, road grime.
Or road salt, dust, debris etc. which can obstruct your visibility and unfortunately, lead to road accident.Washer fluids keep your windshield clean and provides clear visibility.
2. Protection
Washer fluids provide protection to windshield also, as crud-covered dry windshield wiper blades can cause damage to windshield. On the other hand, fluid provides lubrication to windshield glass and prevent them turning into sandpaper blades.
3. Convenience
Obviously, the convenience of having a full reservoir of washer fluid & not to mention the extra fluid as well, which ultimately save the time lost in pulling your vehicle off the road.
And cleaning it with a rag or getting it cleaned at service centers over premium prices.It is a great option to plan a trouble-free travel ahead.
4. Maintenance
And, it provides all time maintenance for your vehicle’s windshield. Instill the habit of checking your windshield wiper fluid reservoir, your car’s motor oil, the tire pressure, and coolant level.
As all these point helps to keep your vehicle’s performance in healthy condition and last longer.Next, let’s talk about main features, to look in any windshield washer fluid before purchase.
Features to Look For When Buying Windshield Washer
1. Water Repelling
By water repelling we mean that it should be formulated in a way that it encourages little water droplets to join together & make a big fat drop; as they easily roll down off the windshield surface.
It also helps the wipers to work more effectively & also improves your vision in unsuitable conditions.
2. Dilution
This one is more related to storage and value, i.e., there are some washers that perform their work amazingly and comes in small bottle.
Well, they come in concentrated form in those small bottles, which later are diluted by adding regular water in the washer reservoir.
They are highly efficient; however, other types of washers are bit easier to use if compared.
3. Scent
Most of the cleaning products has a lemon scent, and it includes windshield washer fluids as well. But if you want your windshield to smell like something else then you can buy one with scent other than lemon.
4. Streak Free Finish
Also, make sure to buy a washer that gives you streak free finish, because obviously if anyone wanted those streaks on their windshield why would they buy a washer in the first place.
Second, those streak on the windshield cause visibility obstruction so might as well get one which gives streak free finish and provide better visibility.
5. Anti-Freeze Technology
If you leave somewhere where the temperature can fall below zero then you must choose a washer which comes with anti-freeze feature.
You will most likely to get this feature in washer fluids containing 90% alcohol, as alcohol improves the resistance against freezing.
However, the diluted washers are more likely to get freeze as they contain a large amount of water.Let us now move on to our list of top 10 windshield washer fluids.
Top 10 Best Windshield Washer Fluids
1. Prestone All Season 3-in-1 Windshield Washer Fluid
A washer fluid suitable for all season, one of the numbers of washer fluids offered by Prestone. All season 3-in-1 washer solution by Prestone is engineered specially in manners to keep your car’s windshield clean & clear throughout the year.
The 3-in-1 in its name stands for its 3 main qualities namely Deep freeze, Powerful and Water repelling. It can work in temperatures as low as -32 degrees C, and it has de-icer feature that help melt ice faster.
Its water repelling feature cause water to bead and roll off the windshield, and give you streak & glare free windshield; improving your visibility.
Its ither features includes, bug wash that is powerful to penetrate any kind of residue, break it down and remove the bugs from your windshield.
It is a pre-mixed type of washer fluid, which means all you have to do is fill up your reservoir with it. With all the amazing features it provides, it falls on a price range which is expensive at a single gallon bottle.
PROS:
- Powerful bug wash feature,
- De-icerr,
- Suitable for ice & snow conditions,
- Advanced water beading feature,
- Suitable for all seasons.
CONS:
- Expensive
2. Nextzett Kristall Klar Washer Fluid
Our next mention “Nextzett Kristall Klar Washer Fluid” is one of the best sellers & highest rated products on Amazon. Unlike the first one, it is a concentrated product with ratio of 1:200 .
One gallon of this concentrated solution can be diluted to make over 12 gallons of washer liquid by mixing with water.
Distinctive feature of Nextzett washer fluid is its water softeners, that helps prevent hard water mineral build-up on your windshield, which otherwise cause the water jets to clog.
Other mainstream feature of this product includes quick bug & dust removal from the windshield and its lubrication feature reduce any friction & reduce water skipping, shuddering, anything that can leave scratch over windshield.
The product comes at an affordable price and offer to give that glare & smear free windshield & improves your visibility as well. It is an ammonia-free formula so.
You will not have to worry about any harm on chrome, paintwork, rubber, or even plastic. It is methanol free and thus; leaves a fresh lemony citrus scent you will definitely enjoy.
The only downside of this product is that it isn’t suitable for freezing climate, but Nextzett have a solution for that also; they offer an Anti-frost Concentrate specially made for winter & colder environments.
PROS:
- Ammonia & Methanol free,
- Quick bug & dust removal,
- Reduce water skipping & Shuddering,
- Prevent hard water mineral build-up,
CONS:
- Not suitable for winters.
3. Prestone De-icerr Windshield Washer Fluid
Next, we have another one of Prestone’s product except this one is specially made to work in harsh winter conditions. Prestone’s De-icerr Windshield Washer Fluid is capable of providing protection all throughout the winter season.
Although, it freezes at the same temperature as Prestone’s 3-in-1 solution i.e., -32 degrees C, it has quick ice & frost removing feature. Its formula contains high methanol & ethylene glycol levels.
To prevent dangerous re-freeze (which is quite common in deep freeze climatic conditions). The solutions provides a streak free finish and comes in 1 gallon bottle.
It leaves a hydrophobic shield on the windshield surface which prevents road spray from sticking on the glass; similar to other products from Prestone.
PROS:
- Suitable for harsh winters,
- Streak free finish,
- Quick ice & frost removal,
- Affordable,
- Leaves hydrophobic shield.
CONS:
- High methanol content.
4. Wemk Windshield Washer Tablets
Highly concentrated washer solution, packed into a small, convenient tablet and all you need to do is drop one tablet in the reservoir filled with water.
Each packet contains 30 tablets, and each tablet can be mixed with 4 liters of water; which means one packet of these tablets gives you a total of 120 liters of washer fluid.
This product is more effective in removing normal road grime, dust, debris, tree sap or any splatter on your vehicle’s windshield. It is more suitable for summer conditions, there by not recommended to be used in winter/ cold weather conditions.
Apart from these, you can also use these cleaning tablet as basic glass cleaning solution, just drop one tablet into a water filled spray bottle and you are all set.
PROS:
- Affordable,
- Convenient to carry,
- Removes splatter,
- Tree sap & normal road grime,
- Can be used as basic glass cleaning solution.
CONS:
- Not suitable in cold weather conditions.
5. Prestone Bug Wash Windshield Washer Fluid
Another one of Prestone’s product specialized in removing bugs from your windshield. If your main concern is to remove bug residue, their droppings, residue, tree sap and road grime from your windshield, then this product is just the right for you.
Washer solution is specially engineered to penetrate all those tough residues, break it down and remove up to 99.99% of all the bug & their residue as well.
It also leaves a protective shield on windshield surface that prevents bugs, grime or any other residue from sticking on to windshield surface.
And, it comes with advanced water beading feature and gives you smear free cleaning with a fresh citrus scent.
PROS:
- Leaves protective shield,
- Specially designed to remove bug residue,
- Water beading feature,
- Citrus scent.
CONS:
- Expensive,
- Not effective in cold weather conditions.
6. Aqua Charge Windshield Washer Ultra Concentrate
One of the popular and best sellers concentrate on Amazon is from Aqua Charge; they provide an affordable yet efficient concentrate one quart of which makes about 55 gallons of washer fluid.
With all the proprietary ingredients mixed together in just right proportions, this washer solutions are capable of removing bug residue, bird’s droppings, road filth, grime, dirt and tree sap, giving you a streak-free shining finish.
However, if you live in or around cold regions then you will need to add methanol in the concentrate, it will expand its freezing point range from 0 degree C to -29-degree C.
One important to keep in mind is that don’t forget to dilute the concentrate before use, it has to be properly mixed before you use it; otherwise, it can leave some stains.
PROS:
- Efficient
- Affordable
- Methanol free
CONS:
- Not suitable for cold regions unless mixed with Methanol,
- Leaves stains if not diluted.
7. Rain-X All Season 2-in-1 Windshield Washer Fluid
Rain-X is a reputed brand for its water repellent, and now company offers windshield washer fluid as well. This 2-in-1 formula, not just clean your windshield .
But it works against ice & light snow as well, up to -31-degree C. It is a premixed solution, so, you will not have to dilute it before use.
Another important feature of this product is its advanced water beading technology that creates a hydrophobic layer on windshield, that makes rain water to bead & fall off easily.
It works efficiently against bugs, road grime, dust, and salt as well. Solution is engineered with de-ionized water that provides you streak-free finish.
With all the features mentioned here, this product might cost you little extra compared to other products.
PROS:
- Efficient,
- Works against light snow & ice,
- Leaves hydrophobic shield,
- Contains de-ionized water.
CONS:
Expensive.
8. GUNK Concentrated Windshield Washer Solvent
As the name suggests it is a concentrated washer fluid, specially designed to remove smears, bugs & their residues. It contains ammonia to give you that smear, streak free finish and since it is a concentrate you will have to dilute it before use.
It comes in a 6-ounce bottle, which can be diluted to make 1.5 gallons of washer fluid. It works against snow & ice as well, effective up to -8 degree C.
So if you experience light snow & ice then you can go for this product. It gets the job done well, even with little number of features; however, it is a bit expensive.
PROS:
- Specially designed to clean off smears & bugs,
- Small portable bottle,
- Can be diluted up to 1.5 gallons.
CONS:
- Not really good for harsh cold weathers,
- Basic product only.
9. Sonax Clear View Windshield Washer Concentrate
Another one of cost-effective concentrate washer solution, provided by Sonax Company. It comes in a 250ml bottle, and is can be diluted to produce large quantity of effective washer fluid (if mixed properly).
Formulated specially to remove insects, oil, grime, silicone, road filth, films, leaving that streak-free finish on your windshield. Important thing to note is.
The concentrate is compatible with plastic & xenon headlamps, which means, you could use it as headlight washers as well. It is phosphate, can be mixed with tap water and offers a fresh lime citrus scent.
Well, it has anti-lime properties which gives protection against hardness of water, & can be mixed with tap water as mentioned earlier.
However, if you live in an area with really hard water supply, then it is recommended to use mineral or filtered water only, for mixing.
PROS:
- Affordable,
- Efficient,
- Phosphate free,
- Can be used as headlight washers.
CONS:
- No de-icerr, beading or hydrophobic effect.
10. McKee’s 37 Anti-Frost Windshield Washer Fluid
And the last one on our list is certainly not the least if we talk about features. McKee’s 37 is one of the popular, efficient and expensive washer fluids available in the market (compared to its competitors); and it’s loved by its users even if it is expensive.
It is an anti-frost concentrate, with a special ingredient in the formula that forms a coating over your vehicle’s windshield surface, to prevent re-icing.
It not only remove dirt, road grime, filth, & road film but it helps in increasing safety, as it keeps your windshield clear during inclement weather.
One important thing to keep in mind is that, it is a hyper concentrated solution that strictly needs to be diluted before use, not to mention it can generate large quantities of washer fluid.
And, don’t worry it will not cause any harm to your car paint or any area surrounding him.
PROS:
- Highly effective & efficient,
- Anti-frost,
- Works in inclement weather,
- Can be diluted.
CONS:
- Expensive.
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Conclusion
Windshield washers are an essential vehicle cleaning product that not only cleans but also helps in increasing safety, by keeping the windshield clean.
The cleaner your windshield, the lesser is the risk of visibility obstruction; which otherwise can lead to road accident.
They come in different varieties, i.e., pre-mixed, tablet, or concentrated; each form with its own benefits & few cons. Some are capable of removing any smear to their last inch, some works better in cold regions.
You can buy one, which suits most of your needs, and after use, you will get a streak free, clean as the new windshield.
Have a safe ride!
