How to Make Your Own Windshield Wiper Fluid

Windshield wiper fluid isn’t something that most car owners think about regularly. Most people have their wiper fluid refilled when their car is undergoing scheduled maintenance, or they refill it with wiper fluid from the auto part store, or the gas station. 

There are a few problems with these approaches. First, commercial wiper fluid is very overpriced. Second, it’s usually environmentally detrimental and harmful to your health if you come into contact with it. Most commercial wiper fluid contains methanol, which is not something you want on your skin, in your body, or in the air. 

You can circumvent these issues by making your own windshield wiper fluid, which is easy, cheap, effective, and better for you and the environment.

To make an all-weather windshield wiper fluid, add 16 parts water, to one part rubbing alcohol (to make the math easy, for every gallon of water, add eight ounces of alcohol). Then, add castile soap if you can easily find some; if not, dish soap will do the trick.

Add a little soap at first, and mix up the solution. When it’s thoroughly mixed, test the solution on a window, either in your home or in the car. Because soaps have different strengths, you’ll have to adjust to find what amount of soap is needed to find an effective fluid.

It’s very important that you used distilled water, because tap water may contain small traces of debris that can get caught in your windshield wipers and clog them. This can lead to costly repairs. 

After you’ve made your solution, fill up your windshield wiper fluid reservoir. You can save the remaining solution, but be sure to label it carefully, and keep it out of reach of children. Because this solution is heavy on alcohol, you want to make sure that no animals or kids can accidentally consume it, and that you won’t mistake it for anything else. 

While this solution is all-weather, you may need to add a little bit more rubbing alcohol if you live in extremely cold conditions, to keep it from freezing at all. 

Making windshield wiper fluid is quick and easy. If you’re looking for ways to save a little bit of money, or make your car more environmentally friendly, this solution is right up your alley!