How to Maintain Your Windshield Wiper Blades

Without windshield wipers, safely driving in rain, fog, or snow would be impossible. Unfortunately, many car owners take their windshield wipers for granted and fail to properly maintain these critical safety features.

Neglected or poorly maintained windshield wipers are unable to clear precipitation from the glass and make driving much more dangerous as a consequence. That’s why it’s important that car owners understand how to maintain windshield wipers. Below are four steps that will help you keep your wipers functioning at peak condition.

One of the most effective maintenance tips when it comes to protecting your windshield wipers is to keep your windshield clean. A dirty windshield, especially one caked with sand, salt, or other gritty grime, will chew up windshield wipers quickly.

Even if the view from the driver's seat is still acceptable, tiny particles that are invisible to the naked eye can accumulate on the glass and do damage to the wipers. That’s why you should strive to regularly clean your windshield.

The easiest way to keep your windshield free of debris is to spend a minute or two cleaning it during gas fill-ups. Avoid the temptation to use the squeegee and cleaning solution that you find next to the gas pumps — these can contain harmful substances that could scratch or dull your glass.

Instead, carry a spray bottle of an ammonia-based glass cleaner in your trunk and generously spray the windshield while waiting at the pump. Next, use a squeegee to clear the windshield of glass cleaner and any loosened debris.

You may need to remove stubborn spots from the glass with a scraper. If you don't have a scraper handy, a can of cola can be an effective cleaning solution in removing stuck-on matter.

A key maintenance tip that will help keep your windshield wipers working is to treat them with gentle care and respect. For example, do not activate your wipers if the windshield is dry because scraping across the glass can tear up the blades.

In addition, never use your windshield wipers to scrape away substantial amounts of snow or ice, particularly if they are stuck to your windshield. Continuously running on ice will chill the rubber blades and make them more prone to cracking.

Another habit that car owners should avoid is allowing their windshield wipers to adhere to the glass in periods of frozen precipitation. An ice encasement tends to make wiper blades more brittle and may even cause them to tear if they are removed from the ice. Always try to pull the blades away from the glass if you know snow, sleet, or freezing rain is on the way.

Many people don't bother to touch their windshield wipers, even when washing the remainder of their vehicles. However, just as the windshield itself needs to be cleaned, it’s important to clean the wiper blades as well.

To clean wiper blades, begin by washing the blades with a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water. Next, wipe off the blades with a dry cloth, then apply rubbing alcohol with a clean cloth. This process will help strip away any oily substances that interfere with the blades' ability to wipe down the windshield.

No matter how well you maintain your windshield wipers, they will eventually need to be replaced due to the combined effects of sun, debris, and temperature changes. You can know when to make a replacement by carefully inspecting the wiper blades for signs of cracking or tearing. These issues can cause the blades to fail suddenly during use.

In addition, if the wiper blades become hard or brittle, then they will need to be replaced. Never wait too long to replace damaged wiper blades. Should the rubber tear away from the metal frame, it could allow the metal to make direct contact with the windshield and scratch the glass.

If you have questions or concerns about windshield wipers or your windshield, be sure to contact Perfection Auto Glass for help. Our team of professionals will provide you with the best possible service.