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Best ways to clean windscreen wiper blades
If your windscreen wipers are squeaking, leaving dirty streaks behind or aren’t clearing the glass of snow, rain and dirt as effectively as they used to, don’t be too quick to replace them. If upon inspection there are no obvious signs of wear or damage, the solution could be as simple as giving the blades a good clean.
You can find pro tips and tricks for windscreen maintenance on our blog as well as a complete guide to wiper operation and replacement. Check out our guidelines on the best way to clean windscreen wipers below.
What you need to clean the wiper blades
Accessories for cleaning the wipers:
- A bucket of warm soapy water
- A hose
- 2 x microfibre cloth for your car
- Surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol)
- WD-40
BOSCH Wiper blade
330 mm, Flat wiper blade
Article number: 3 397 016 507
£ 8,80
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
Article number: 132000
£ 35,34
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
BOSCH Wiper blade
300 mm, Flat wiper blade
Article number: 3 397 016 513
£ 8,61
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
BOSCH Wiper blade
1000 mm, Standard
Article number: 3 397 018 199
£ 24,99
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
Article number: 566012
£ 20,36
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
How to clean wiper blades
Step 1. Clean the car windscreen
When cleaning wiper blades, it is a good idea to start by cleaning the windscreen as dirty glass will only make the wipers grimy again and could cause streaks. Simply wash the car windscreen as normal using a bucket of warm soapy water and a sponge and then rinsing it down with a hose.
Step 2. Lift the wiper arms
Lift the windscreen wiper arms up and secure them into place so that they are able to point upwards without being held. If they can’t be secured, you’ll need to hold them in place while cleaning. If your car features a wiper service mode, it is recommended that you use it.
Step 3. Start wiping the blades
Wet a microfibre cloth slightly with clean soapy water and gently wipe down the rubber wiper blades. Be careful not to apply too much pressure in case you damage them. Keep wiping until the cloth is no longer picking up dirt and grime.
Step 4. Clean the rest of the wipers
Sometimes, streaks on the windshield aren't caused by the wiper blades themselves but by a faulty mechanism that makes the blades stick to the glass. To fix this, clean the wiper arms and mechanism using hot soapy water.
Step 5. Remove any soap residue using the surgical spirit
You can do this by applying a small amount of surgical spirit to a clean, dry microfibre cloth and wiping the parts one final time.
Step 6. Lubricate the hinges
When cleaning the wiper blades, it is recommended to lubricate the hinges with WD-40. Wait till everything is clean and dry before greasing the hinges. To ensure that the grease sets in properly, move the wipers back and forth a couple of times.
Step 7. Return the windscreen wipers to the correct position
If you have followed these steps correctly and still don’t see any real improvements, it is probably time for a replacement. You can easily find and compare deals on parts from a wide range of recommended brands online, such as these offers on Bosch wiper blades.
Did you find this article useful? We aim to make car maintenance more accessible for everyone. Make sure to check out our latest article: Why do my windscreen wipers squeak and how can I stop it?
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