How to Get Rid of Fog on Your Windshield: Cool & Hot Weather

Nothing’s more frustrating than having to wait for the fog to clear off your car’s windshield. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to remove fog quickly so you can get on your way faster. For this article, we interviewed auto mechanic Ed Beery to teach you how to remove fog from a windshield, why windshields fog up in the first place, and how to prevent fog in the future. Plus, get answers to other common questions about how to get rid of a foggy windshield.

Getting Rid of a Foggy Windshield

Either turn up the heat or AC so your car’s air temperature matches the outside temperature.
Crack your windows, turn off air recirculation, and/or turn on your defogger to speed up the process.
For DIY solutions, try wiping your windshield with vinegar, baking soda, or shaving foam.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Remove Fog from a Windshield

Download Article

1
Turn up the heat in your car. Windshield fog occurs when the temperature outside the car doesn’t match the temperature inside the car. Therefore, if it’s hot outside, increasing the temperature inside your car can help remove the fog. If it’s cold out, turning on the heat still helps because it pulls moisture out of the air so the fog will evaporate. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If it’s too hot to turn the heat on, at least turn down your air conditioner. This will warm up your car and get the inside air temperature to match the outside a bit better.
2
Turn on your air conditioner if it’s cold outside. Decrease the temperature inside your car to better match the temperature outside. Set your air conditioner to the lowest setting you can handle and point the vents toward your windshield. This will decrease condensation so the fog will fade more quickly. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- This is the fastest method but also the coldest, so be prepared to shiver a bit!
Advertisement
3
Crack your windows. Crack your windows to allow fresh air to circulate in your car. Doing this helps the temperature inside your car match the temperature outside of your car, which should help reduce condensation. If it’s humid out, be careful not to open your windows too much, or you may let in moisture from the outside, which could create even more fog. ^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- Beery says, “Do NOT open the car windows if the outside temperature is at or below freezing. This can cause the fog on the inside of the windows to fog over, making matters much worse.” ^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ed Beery
  Automotive Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 November 2021.}
If the fog is on the outside of your windshield (as it will be during the summer), you can remove it with your windshield wipers. Simply turn them on to their lowest setting and let them run until the fog is gone. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
5
Turn off the recirculation button. When attempting to defog your windshield, make sure to turn off the recirculation button on your dashboard. This allows fresh air to enter your car, which in turn helps reduce moisture and clear fog. When recirculation is on, the air inside your car is the only air being circulated, meaning the moisture level will stay the same. ^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- Look for a button that has a little car with an arrow pointing inside the car. This is typically what the recirculation button looks like.
- If recirculation is already turned off and your windshield is fogged, try turning it on instead.
EXPERT TIP

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist
Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist

Turn off the recirculation button to equalize the temperature. Often, the inside of the vehicle will be warmer than the outside temperature, so the fog will be on the inside of the windshield. Turn off the recirculation button so that cooler outside air is brought into the vehicle.
6
Use your car’s defogging feature. If your car has a defogger option, turn it on to remove fog from your windshield. These vents are typically located on both ends of the dashboard. This feature is especially helpful if your rear windshield is fogged. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Not all cars have a defogging feature. If you aren’t sure if yours does, check your owner’s manual.
- The defrost button works the same way, and many people use them interchangeably.
Vinegar works as a great DIY anti-fog solution. Soak a clean, lint-free cloth in some white vinegar and wipe down your windshield. Alternatively, mix white vinegar and water for a diluted solution. The fog should begin to disappear as you wipe. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to wait for your windshield to defog on its own, use a hairdryer to speed up the process. Turn the hairdryer on the “hot” setting and aim it at your windshield to evaporate the moisture. Don’t hold it in one spot for too long or you risk cracking or damaging the windshield. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
Baking soda is a natural dehumidifier, so it’s a great way to reduce moisture in your car and get rid of windshield fog. ^{[10]
X
Research source} Fill a small jar with baking soda and place it in your car without the lid to soak up moisture. Alternatively, sprinkle some baking soda on a clean cloth and wipe it on your windshield.
10
Place silica balls in your car. Like baking soda, silica balls are another affordable and effective way to reduce excess moisture in your car. Place some silica balls in a sock, tie the end, and put it in your car, preferably on your dashboard near your windshield. Replace the sock when the silica becomes too wet, as it will no longer be effective. ^{[11]
X
Research source}
- When silica reaches its saturation point, it becomes too wet to absorb any more moisture. If this moisture seeps into the sock, it could potentially lead to a mildewy odor, so replace your silica and your sock regularly to prevent this.
11
Wipe your windshield with shaving foam. Though it may sound odd, using shaving foam is a common DIY hack for removing fog from car windshields. Use a clean towel to smear a handful of shaving foam (not gel) on your windshield. Let it sit for about two minutes, then wipe it off with another clean towel. The shaving foam creates a thin, invisible film on the glass to lower surface tension and prevent water from condensing on the surface. ^{[12]
X
Research source}
- This is also a great way to prevent your windshield from fogging up in the first place, as it creates a moisture barrier on the glass.

Section 2 of 4:

What causes windshield fog?

Download Article

Windshields fog up due to temperature differences inside and outside your car. When the temperature outside is colder than the temperature inside your car, or vice versa, moisture condenses on the windshield, causing it to fog up. This also happens if there are high humidity levels inside your car or if it is very humid outside. ^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Beery says, “The fog on a windshield is condensation which occurs when moisture condenses on the warmer side of a surface, in this case, the car windows. The temperature difference determines on which side of the windshield the condensation collects.” ^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ed Beery
  Automotive Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 November 2021.}

Section 3 of 4:

Preventing Fog on Your Windshield

Download Article

Moisture is more likely to stick to dirt, so clean your windshield and your windows regularly. Use a glass cleaner specifically designed for cars, and if you have tint on your windows, make sure to use an ammonia-free product to avoid ripping or fading the tint. Clean both the inside and outside of your windshield. ^{[15]
X
Research source}
2
Apply a defogging solution to the glass. There are many different anti-fog solutions that can help prevent your windshield from fogging up. Follow the instructions on your solution’s package, but in general, spray the solution on the windshield, then wipe it off with a clean cloth. The chemicals in the solution will help prevent moisture from condensing on your windshield. ^{[16]
X
Research source}
- Find defogging solutions online or at your local auto parts store.
If you constantly have issues with your windshield fogging up, there is a chance there is a leak somewhere in your car’s cooling system. If your windshield and/or windows steam up more than usual, take your car to a mechanic to rule out any internal issues. ^{[17]
X
Research source}
Fill a sock with silica cat litter . Tie off the end with a piece of string, then place one or two full socks near the front of your dashboard. This should absorb the moisture inside your car overnight, preventing any fog buildup. This is a great DIY option if you frequently have problems with fog, and it’s also a great way to reduce humidity in your home. ^{[18]
X
Research source}

Section 4 of 4:

Removing Fog FAQs

Download Article

1

How do I remove fog in the summer? In the summer, your windshield will likely be fogged on the outside, so you can simply use your windshield wipers to clear it. ^{[19]
X
Research source} If it fogs back up, either turn on your heat or turn off your air conditioner so the temperature inside your car matches the temperature outside. This will help clear condensation. It may also help if you crack your windows.
2

How do I remove fog in the winter? First, crank the heat and turn on your defroster to temporarily remove the fog. Then, turn on your air conditioner on the lowest setting you can stand to help remove moisture from your car. Turn off your car’s recirculating feature so your car doesn’t continue to circulate humid air, and open your windows to let the humidity out. ^{[20]
X
Research source}
3

How do I remove fog in the rain? If your windshield fogged up because of the rain, turn on your air conditioner to dehumidify the air, and turn off the recirculation button so your car will pull in some fresh air from outside. If this doesn’t work, try running your defogger if your car has that feature. ^{[21]
X
Research source}
4
Can I wipe the fog away with a cloth? It generally isn’t a good idea to wipe fog away with a cloth alone. While using a cloth to apply vinegar or shaving foam can sometimes prevent fog, if you just use a cloth to wipe the fog away, it will likely cause streaks on your windshield, which will impair your vision. Aim to use your car’s defroster instead. ^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- If you do use a cloth to clear your windshield, make sure it is lint-free to help reduce streaking .
5
Why is my windshield fogging up on the outside? Car windshields typically fog up on the outside when there is a significant difference between the temperature inside your car and the temperature outside. This causes moisture to condense on the glass, creating fog. ^{[23]
X
Research source}
- If the fog is on the outside of your windshield, Beery says, “Turn the defroster onto the warmest setting with the fan on the highest setting. Ensure that the recirculation button is off to help equalize the inside and outside temperatures. Turn on the rear window defogger if you have one. Turn your windshield wiper on to wipe the windshield as additional condensation forms. ^{[24]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ed Beery
  Automotive Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 November 2021.}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What causes fog on inside of windshield?

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist
Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Ed Beery

Automotive Specialist

Expert Answer

The fog on a windshield is condensation that occurs when moisture condenses on the warmer side of a surface—in this case, your windshield. The temperature difference determines which side of the windshield the condensation collects on.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 4
Question

How do I stop my car windows from fogging up?

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist
Ed Beery is an Automotive Specialist and the Owner of InTechgrity Automotive Excellence based in Denver, Colorado. With more than eight years of experience, he specializes in providing maintenance and repair services for both individuals and companies. Ed and the InTechgrity Automotive Excellence Team are approved by the American Automobile Association (AAA) for repairs and are Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified.

Ed Beery

Automotive Specialist

Expert Answer

You can keep your car windows from fogging up by keeping a window open about an inch or so to allow outside air in and prevent fog from building up. Don't do this if the outside temperature is colder than the inside of your car (especially if the outdoor temperature is at or below freezing).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 4 Helpful 7
Question

How do I remove the fog best when neither my A/C nor heat works? Also, my windows leak, allowing rain in and building up more moisture.

Ty_097

Community Answer

To remove fog/moisture, get a room temperature cloth and wipe the inside of the windows with it. If your windows leak, get a window screen cover (the ones you normally use to stop frost) and put that on.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If it’s cold outside, wipe your shoes before getting in your car to remove some of the moisture.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Do not ever reach outside of your car while it’s in motion to clear off your windshield. If you have to wipe it off and your windshield wipers won’t do it, pull over and put your car in park.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2

[1]

[2]

[3]

Trustworthy Source

Go to source

[4]

Ed Beery
Automotive Specialist

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

Log in

How to Get Rid of Fog on Your Windshield: Cool & Hot Weather

Getting Rid of a Foggy Windshield

Steps

How to Remove Fog from a Windshield

What causes windshield fog?

Preventing Fog on Your Windshield

Removing Fog FAQs

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories