Windshield washer fluid is ridiculously expensive - often $3 or more per gallon. Here is a simple, do it yourself recipe that works better than the store-bought counterpartIf you prefer to make a non-toxic wash, you can omit the ammonia and the recipe will still work quite well.
Cold Weather Recipe
1 GAL. Jug
1 T. common hand dish soap or Castille Soap
1/2 cup household ammonia
8 oz bottle 90% Isopropyl Alcohol (dollar store frequently has these 2/$1)
a few drops of food coloring (keeps my kids on alert not to touch it)
Measure the soap, rubbing alcohol and ammonia into the jug, add water to fill. Cap and shake gently to mix well before pouring into wiper/washer reservoir. If you're concerned about whether your homemade mixture will freeze, leave it outside overnight (in cold weather) and check it in the morning. If it's frozen or slushie, add additional alcohol to the recipe. We've never had an issue, but the temperature usually only hits the teens where we live.
This blend works much better than the store-bought counterpart.
See Also: How to Prevent Frost Build-up on Windshield
Warm Weather Recipe
1 GAL. Jug
1 T. common hand dish soap or Castille Soap
1/2 cup household ammonia
a few drops of food coloring (keeps my kids on alert not to touch it)
Measure the soap ammonia into the jug, add water to fill. Cap and shake gently to mix well before pouring into wiper/washer reservoir.
Budget101 Breakdown
Jug
1 T. Soap - about .05
Alcohol .50 (to .88)
Ammonia .14
Total Cost for 1 Gallon of Fluid .69 a Gallon
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