A survey conducted in 2019 revealed that the average driver spends around 63 hours every year behind the wheel of their car. Now consider that for every hour you spend on the road, smog, dead insects, and general grime gather and collect on your windscreen - that’s a lot of dirt! Even more horrifying, dirt that is left to its own devices will begin to solidify, becoming more difficult to clean, eventually even obstructing your view.
Fortunately, there’s a simple solution. Car screen wash is readily available, affordable, and simple to use. But there are so many options our there, it can be difficult to which one is best for your car? We’re here to walk you through how to make the right decision, before revealing our ranking of the top 10 best screen washes for summer and winter available in the UK on Amazon and eBay.
Quick List - Top Car Screen Washes
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Every screen wash is designed with the aim of doing what it says on the tin - keeping your screen nice and clean. But that doesn't mean different brands don’t excel in different areas. Read on, as we help you decide which screen wash will work best for you and your car.
What you’ll need to decide, first of all, is whether you intend to use your screen wash in winter or summer. It’s a good idea to keep your screen as clean as possible all year round, but different washes have different properties that make them more effective at different times of year. Read on to learn more about the various types.
The UK isn’t anywhere near being one of the coldest countries in the world, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get pretty chilly here, and it’s not unusual for temperatures to fall below zero. The worst thing you can do is clean your windscreen with a liquid that freezes over in the midst of winter. That’s why many screen washes are designed to endure colder climes, with some being able to withstand sub-zero temperatures.
It’s usually quite easy to tell from looking at the bottle whether a screen wash is impervious to cooler temperatures or not. Manufacturers will generally make a point of informing you as to whether their screen wash is ‘winter-proof’, often providing the minimum temperature that their screen wash will still be effective at.
At the other end of the spectrum are screen washes specifically designed for warmer weather. Certain kinds of dirt are more common in the summer, the most obvious being bugs and insects that collide with, and stick to, your window as you drive under the open sun.
Left unresolved, these sorts of debris can begin to harden on your windscreen, making them particularly tricky to shift. Therefore, It’s always sensible to have a screen wash designed to eradicate this kind of dirt.
Some washes will be suitable for year round use. However, for the most part, this comes with a compromise. These washes will not withstand cold temperatures as well as a dedicated winter wash, and they won't remove dead bugs as readily as those designed for summer.
That doesn’t mean that there aren’t washes out there that will perform well all-year round. You may not get the same results as a seasonal wash, but these can save you time and money - especially if you live in a milder part of the UK.
So if they contain more cleaning agents, why not just use higher concentrates all year round? The answer is primarily one of cost. Particularly in the warmer months, you won’t need as many of those cold-resistant ingredients. Therefore, it makes little sense to use more screen wash than you need to, and far more sense to dilute it and get more out of each bottle.
The only issue comes with screen washes designed for the depths of winter that possess such a strong concentration, that they can’t be diluted for summer use. In this case it’s best to pair your winter wash with a summer one.
As the name implies, screen wash is primarily designed for washing your windscreen. However, some have additional properties that make them especially effective. Many drivers find that inferior screen washes leave streak marks, obstructing their view, and resulting in unsightly smears. Luckily, there are a whole host of ‘anti-streak’ screen washes that’ll counteract this problem, leaving your screen crystal clear.
There are also screen washes that contain ingredients which repel rainwater for a period of time after use. They work by beading water droplets together, so your windscreen wipers can simply flick them away. It’s pretty fun to watch, but more importantly, it'll improve your visibility and prevent your windscreen getting marked.
The use of car screen washes contributes to the throwing away of over 100 million plastic bottles every year. It’s a horrifying statistic, but it’s a relief to know that some manufacturers are working on more environmentally friendly solutions.
P1 Auto Care, in particular, deserve a mention for their Screenwash Pods. Each pod comes in plastic-free, environmentally friendly packaging, and creates 5 litres of screen wash. It’s admirable work, and hopefully a trend that other manufacturers will begin to follow.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Prestone Extreme Performance Screen Wash | ![]() | A Wash For All Seasons | |
2 | Sonax AntiFreeze & Clear View Concentrate | ![]() | An Award Winning Anti-Freeze Screen Wash | |
3 | CarPlan Demon Shot Screenwash Booster | ![]() | A Sweet Smelling Screen Wash for Sub-Zero Temperatures | |
4 | Angelwax Clarity | ![]() | A Highly Effective Wash That Repels Rainwater for up to Two Weeks | |
5 | Chipex Ultra-High Performance Aquaphobic Screen Wash | ![]() | A Screen Wash That Keeps the Rain at Bay | |
6 | Bluecol Concentrate Screen Wash|Pack of 2 | ![]() | An Effective Winter Performer From a Trusted Brand | |
7 | Autoglym Ultimate Screenwash | ![]() | High Quality at a High Price | |
8 | P1 Auto Care Screenwash Pod|Pack of 3 | ![]() | Environmentally Friendly Screen Wash Pods | |
9 | Holts Concentrated Screen Wash: Professional | ![]() | A Great All-Round Choice | |
10 | CarPlan All Seasons Screen Wash | ![]() | An Excellent Screen Wash for Warmer Weather |
This one's truly the top dog when it comes to screen washes. Its performance in winter is second to none and, true to its name, it can handle the most extreme of low temperatures. It's price isn't bad at all for such a high concentrate either, making it perfectly useable during the summer months, where it continues to outstrip the competition.
It's difficult to find a screen wash that performs well in both warm and cold temperatures, standing head and shoulders above the competition in performance at all times of the year.
Anyone that knows their screen wash will have heard of Sonax, the famous German brand and winner of several awards for their impressive Anti Freeze and Clear View concentrate. This is one of the most effective cleaners out there, as well as one of the best for sub-zero temperatures.
It's only real drawback is that, as a strong concentrate designed for low temperatures, it lacks a mix for temperatures above -10°C. Thus, making it quite pricey for use in the spring and summer. In the depths of winter, however, this is an ideal companion.
Demon Shot's screen wash is actually referred to as a 'booster'. This is because it can be mixed with existing screen washes to increase their potency and their resilience in cold temperatures. It works pretty well on its own too, and is an effective cleaner for removing dirt.
It's so resistant to freezing temperatures, that it can even be used as a de-icer. It's also highly cost-effective, yielding an impressive 25 litres of screen wash per bottle. To top it all off, it has a charming cherry fragrance. Sweet!
The uniquely named 'Clarity' is a top performer across the board. it's a highly effective cleaner in summer, and it continues to work effectively at subfreezing temperatures, all the way down to -25°C.
Clarity is a highly effective screen wash that continues to hold it's own even in the depths of winter. Most impressively, it's positive effects are long lasting. It continues to repel rainwater up to two weeks after its initial application.
This bottle promises to 'drive rain away from your windscreen', and it certainly makes good on this claim. Chipex's Aquaphobic screen wash repels rainwater, keeping your screen cleaner for longer and eliminating dry lines, streaks, and even the repeated squeaking of your wipers.
It's also great for protecting your windscreen from other kinds of dirt, such as bird droppings and bugs. Where it doesn't perform so well is in removing grime in the first place. This wash works best as a preventative measure for keeping the dirt and rain at bay.
Bluecol have been around since 1934 and, for many years, were the antifreeze of choice for classic car brands such as Rover, Triumph, Jaguar, and Bentley. This is perhaps because of this wash's efficacy thanks to its powerful cleaning agents that remove dirt, without smearing or impairing your visibility.
It's effective for use at temperatures as low as -36°C, meaning it won't freeze. And, for what it's worth, it contains a foul-tasting substance called bitrex, which prevents swallowing if you have curious youngsters about.
Auto Glym is a well established and trusted band, having been in the business for over 50 years. This is reflected in the quality of their Ultimate Screen wash, which is effective all the way down to temperatures of -45°C.
It's a high quality screen wash, for sure, but there's a hefty price tag attached. You're paying £4 for only 500 ml of liquid, when other brands offer 5 litres at an average of £7. It performs well, but it's hard to make your peace with that price.
P1 Auto Care's Screenwash Pod is an absolute winner. It's highly cost effective with each pod producing 5 litres of screen wash, that's 15 litres for only £3.99! But the biggest benefit is the huge reduction in plastic packaging. Simply drop the pod into your washer bottle and fill it with water.
It's price comes with a drawback, however, as unfortunately it's not too great at handling ice. It's always wise to opt for the environmentally friendly option, but this one is best saved for summer.
Its versatility has made Holts' Concentrated Screen Wash one of the most popular screen washes in the UK. It's suitable all year round use, making it a valuable one to have on hand.
Its intense cleaning abilities make it especially good for removing stubborn dirt and dead bugs, and its anti-streak and anti-glare formula means it won't obstruct your view while driving. A fantastic all-rounder that'll keep you covered, no matter the season!
Despite its name, CarPlan's All Seasons Screen Wash is actually more suited to warmer weather. It really shines in the summer and is highly effective at ridding your screen of stubborn dirt, such as baked-on insects.
However, it tends to ice over fairly quickly at lower temperatures, making it ineffective for use during the colder months. So ignore the name and keep this one for a shiny clean summer screen!
Washing up liquid is not freeze-proof and contains chemicals that can damage paintwork and metal surfaces. You’ll regret it even more when the liquid begins to foam and obstruct your view in the middle of a drive. Water isn't freeze-proof either, so unless you want your windscreen to freeze over in the middle of winter, it’s just not a good idea!
Screen wash avoids all these problems. The cleaning agents used to make screen wash grant an extra level of cleanliness, getting rid of dirt and grime that washing up liquid just can't touch. You can rest assured that it won’t damage your paintwork and, if you buy one designed for winter use, you can feel confident that it won’t cause your windscreen to ice over.
If you use your car every day, it doesn’t hurt to treat yourself to a few goodies that’ll make your daily drive that bit more pleasant. Luckily, we’ve done our research on some of the best products available to buy online to enrich your driving experience.
Screen wash is great, not only for keeping your windscreen extra clear, but also for helping you take an extra bit of pride in your vehicle. We hope this article has helped you find the perfect screen wash for keeping your windscreen squeaky clean all year round!
Author: Ben Willimet
No. 1: Prestone|Extreme Performance Screen Wash
No. 2: Sonax|AntiFreeze & Clear View Concentrate
No. 3: CarPlan|Demon Shot Screenwash Booster
No. 4: Angelwax|Clarity
No. 5: Chipex|Ultra-High Performance Aquaphobic Screen Wash
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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