Drivers urged to put socks on car mirrors overnight in January
We’re only a few days into the new year and the UK is already facing one of its greatest enemies: cold weather. This cold weather brought snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures, triggering the Met Office to issue a yellow warning for snow. When it comes to longer-term forecasts for January, the Met Office warns that snowfall may continue in the central and northern parts of the country.
Since there’s no end to the cold weather, drivers may be wondering how to solve a common problem: de-icing cars. One piece of clothing could even eliminate the need to buy a defroster to clean your car mirrors, according to one expert. Ben Welham, an automobile expert child’s playHe suggested wrapping your mirrors in socks the night before to prevent ice from forming on them. Given the cold weather, January is the best time to start unconventional hacks.
He explained: “Using your socks may get some weird looks from your neighbours, but it’s effective. A few old socks can shave off precious minutes on cold mornings. Just remember to take them off before you start your journey.”
While I approved of some of the tricks, there were others he recommended avoiding, including using potatoes to de-ice your car.
This viral myth has gained traction but lacks credibility. Ben warns that this trick may seem clever, but it will leave you with a soft mess instead of an icy mess.
He said: “This TikTok trend may seem clever, but you’ll end up with a dirty mess on your windshield that’s harder to replace than the ice itself.”
Meanwhile, drivers are also recommended to put white vinegar in their vehicles to remove condensation.
Speaking to the Express, experts at Cardiff Window Cleaner Ltd said: “A great way to remove condensation and prevent it from coming back is to mix a homemade solution.
“Mix two cups of water with two cups of white vinegar, then add a few drops of dish soap. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spray it directly on your window.
“White vinegar creates a protective barrier, and soap breaks the surface tension of the droplets on your window. We recommend using a spray bottle to create a very thin protective coating that will dry on its own.”
As the amber warning was announced, the Met Office’s chief forecaster Neil Armstrong warned people to be wary of cold weather.
It said: “Arctic weather now covers much of the UK, with very cold weather set to continue throughout the weekend, with some places reaching negative double digits overnight and daytime temperatures struggling to get above 0°C for some parts.
“It looks like this cold weather could last well into next week and winter dangers are likely to continue with more weather warnings in place, so it’s important for people to keep up with the latest forecasts and warnings and plan ahead.”
