The Easy Hack To Unfreeze Your Home's Windows During Winter

As winter grips your home with its icy fingers, one common nuisance many of us face is frozen windows. It's a frustrating problem that can obstruct our winder wonderland view or even pose a safety hazard in case of an emergency. Let alone being able to open your window for some fresh air! While there are various ways to tackle this icy issue, there's one simple yet unconventional method that not only defrosts your windows but also offers an opportunity for a celebratory treat afterward. Enter the world of clear alcohol — a party starter and also a surprising winter hack.

Before delving into the method, let's understand why clear alcohol, such as vodka, gin, rum, or rubbing alcohol, works wonders on icy windows. Alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water, making it an effective deicing agent. To compare, alcohol freezes at -174.6 degrees Fahrenheit, while water freezes at 32 degrees (via NC State). When applied to the frozen window, alcohol rapidly lowers the freezing point of the water ice, causing it to melt away. 

So, the only supplies you need to unfreeze the ice and frost on your windows this winter are a bottle of clear alcohol (like vodka, gin, rum, or even 70% rubbing alcohol), water, a spray bottle, and a clean, dry cloth or microfiber towel. To begin, fill up the spray bottle with two parts of your chosen clear alcohol and one part of water. 

Approach your icy window and generously spray the alcohol over all the frozen areas. Be liberal, but ensure you don't oversaturate the window frame or sill, especially if they are made of wood. After spraying, give the alcohol a minute or two to work its magic. You will start noticing the ice beginning to melt. Once the ice has started to melt, take the dry cloth or towel and gently wipe the window. This will remove the melted ice and also prevent streaks. If the window is heavily iced, you might need to repeat the process or use an ice-cleaning tool like a scraper to remove very stubborn pieces. 

While this method is simple and effective, there are a few things to keep in mind. As per Poison Control, while working with alcohol indoors, always ensure good ventilation to avoid inhaling fumes. Because alcohol is flammable, keep it away from open flames. Final tip: make sure to test it on a small area first if you're concerned about the alcohol affecting the paint or finish of your window frame.

Once you have successfully defrosted your windows, why not celebrate? Mix up a tasty drink with the same clear alcohol you used — perhaps a tropical eggnog cocktail or pumpkin spice Moscow mule. It's a fun and rewarding way to wrap up your deicing chore. Cheers to clear views and wintertime cocktails!