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 counterpart.
If you prefer to make a non-toxic wash, you can omit the ammonia and the recipe will still work quite well. However, the addition of the ammonia definitely helps to keep bug guts and grime to a minimum.
Cold Weather Windshield Washer Fluid Recipe
You’ll Need:
1 gallon Jug
1 Tablespoon of 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 the 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 Windshield Washer Fluid Recipe
You’ll Need:
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 = Free, Recycle a milk jug
1 T. Soap – about .05
Alcohol .50 (to .88)
Ammonia .14
Total Cost for 1 Gallon of Fluid .69 a Gallon
i have an antique truck club meeting tomorrow, i’m going to have a little fun, with this. i’m making to batches and purchasing one premade window cleaner. then have a test to see which one is preferred.
thanks for the receipe. – lindamarie
Let us know how it goes! We’d love to hear the results.
i’m making some right now for my husband’s car. thank you for the recipe. :moneystack:
going to make some and put in my daughter’s car. she goes through washer fluid like crazy ( hates a dirty windshield) this will save her some money!:money1:
when you say hand soap just any liquid hand soap will do?
we have 3 cars, this will save us lots!!
us too! this is a great recipe! !
will this hurt the seals in the washer fluid compartment?
do not use ammonia is bad for the wiper and car wax.
Awesome…ty for the recipe…way cheaper then buying it!!
We have made this before. its awesome. I need to make another batch.
I will probably make some for my mom, Dad and my sister (when she gets her own vehicle).
This will be helpful for my family. I want to compare ingredients with store bought and make sure none of the ingredients will damage the vehicles. Time to do my homework!
I worked at a Murphy’s USA gas station in Iowa a few years ago (much longer than I want to admit) and we added alcohol to the windshield washer fluid we put out for customers to use to keep it from freezing. When I got really cold the product in the jugs would even get slushy. So if you are in a cold area, I advise you to try the test and add more alcohol if needed