Dead bugs on a windshield aren’t just a matter of aesthetics. They can also be a visual hindrance that poses driving hazards. Although there has been a noticeable decline in dead insects on vehicles, your car is bound to end up with its carcasses sooner or later.
So, how to remove dead bugs from windshield? Even while cleaning them might seem easy, you risk damaging your car if you don’t do the work properly. Not to mention, these splotchy stains are notoriously hard to deal with.
Let’s discover useful tips you’ll wish you’d known earlier.
Table of Contents
Ways to Get Rid of Dead Bugs on Windshield
#1 High-pressure washer
What to prepare
- Regular hose (work best with adjustable nozzle)
Simply use the high-pressure and get bugs off windshield gradually.
If left on the windshield for too long, dead bugs will be nearly impossible to remove with this method. This is because the acid in bugs’ guts can ruin the quality of your car’s paint and cause it to become more sticky on the glass surface.
Therefore, as long as you notice the stains, bring the hose out to remove the bug splatter on windshield as soon as possible.
#2 Vinegar
The best way to get rid of bugs’ dead bodies from your car windshield is with vinegar. It’s an excellent cleaner and also really easy to find in any household.
What to prepare
- Water
- Vinegar
- A bucket
- A spray bottle
- A microfiber cloth
- Dilute your vinegar in a 1:1 ratio with water, preferably warm, in a bucket for a home-created bug remover spray.
- Put the mixture into the spray bottle and spritz the mix onto the bugs’ stains.
It’s also okay to dip the cloth directly into the vinegar solution. Still, a spray bottle is a more handy way to apply the mixture evenly.
Plus, you can store the leftovers and reuse it later on.
- Let the diluted vinegar sit for 30 minutes. However, the waiting time may be longer for particularly bad buildup. Then, wipe the whole thing with a dry, clean microfiber cloth.
Yet, store-bought bug-cleaning substances might have more advantages than this homemade windshield cleaner for bugs. Then, let’s move to the other recommendations.
#3 Windex
Using these pre-made products, you can save a lot of time to do the preparation for the cleaning session.
What to prepare
- Windex (or other good review products, such as Tar Remover, Spray ‘n Wash or Turtle Wax Renew Rx Bug)
- A clean cloth
- Apply a generous amount of Windex on the grime/stain to dissolve bugs’ spatters.
- Let the liquid sit for a while. Although these cleaning chemicals cannot dissolve bugs completely, they can help you to loosen up sticky bug guts on your windshield.
- Now, use the clean cloth to wipe up all the excess dirt, grime and cleaning substances.
#4 Bounce
You can also employ this dryer sheet tip to clean dead bugs from other parts of your car without damaging paint. It won’t scratch the paint surface, so it’ll be a quick and easy way to get dried bugs off front of the car.
It is also possible to use this method to clean your car grill/grille. Alternatively, you could use a regular bug sponge and soap.
What to prepare
- Dryer sheet (from Bounce or other fabric softeners)
- Water hose
- Regular glass wiper
- Use a water hose to soak your car’s windshield. Otherwise, dampening the dryer sheet by soaking it directly in water also works.
- Take a dryer sheet and gradually remove bugs from windshield.
- Redo the steps above until the unwanted grime is completely cleared.
- Rinse the whole thing up again with clean water and your regularly-used glass wiper, as the dryer sheet might leave some residue afterward.
FAQs
Is it possible to clean your car’s windshield with coke/coca cola?
The answer is no! There are several reasons why you should not try to do so:
- The carbonic acid might help remove stains, but it can also ruin your car’s paint after washing.
- Coke has sugar, and that lovely sweet substance can leave sticky and ugly residues after cleaning.
All in all, when it comes to general windshield cleaning or removing bugs, in particular, you should neglect coke.
Read more: Detailed Guide to Clean Car Windshield Outside
Can I use dish soap as windshield bug cleaner?
Even though dish soap is an effective cleaner, you shouldn’t try to get the bugs from car.
As this substance contains many harmful cleaning agents, which might ruin your car paint, I suggest you refer to my recommendations above to assist you to keep bugs from sticking to your windshield.
Can you use WD-40 as a windshield bug remover?
I have to agree that WD-40 seems like a multi-purpose cleaning substance, but you shouldn’t employ it this time because it’s not formulated for glass cleansing.
On the other hand, if you intend to use it for other metal-covered parts of your car, it will perform better.
Why do new cars still get lots of bug splatters?
Although new cars have more aerodynamic factors that enable them to avoid bugs on the road, the insects can still accumulate quickly if you frequently go for a long drive.
Therefore, you should use bug repellent, bug deflector, or use a thin layer of wax to keep bugs off windshield. The hydrophobic coating will surely help you to prevent bugs’ carcasses from sticking on your glass.
Can automatic car washes clean dead bugs off your vehicle?
Since the answer is a firm no, I highly recommend you spot-clean or manually wash the bugs out of your automobile’s windshield.
It’s because the stains from insect carcasses are often dry and sticky, making the general cleaning process from the automatic car wash service less effective.
Conclusion
No more worrying about clean bugs off windshield or your entire car because I have offered you all the best approaches to your problems.
From the most basic home remedy to a more convenient option with glass cleaners or otherwise, they can all help you with future cleaning tasks. Check it out.
Be confident and share these tips on how to remove dead bugs from windshields with your family and friends from now on.
