Any driver knows that windshield haze seemingly appears out of thin air. Windshield haze isn’t just ugly; it can cause serious safety and visibility problems. This post will share how to remove windshield haze, including the scientific background behind the fog and how it appears.
Thankfully, correcting windshield haze is easy. All it takes is the application of a quality streak-free glass cleaner and horizontal passes with a microfiber cloth or windshield cleaning tool. Apply an anti-fog solution to the windshield after cleaning for the best results.
Tools and materials
- A microfiber towel
- Reach & Clean tool (optional but recommended)
- Invisible Glass
- Anti-Fog (optional but recommended)
Reach & Clean Tool
Cleaning the interior of your windshield may seem like a straightforward task, but angles can make the process challenging. Dashboards are long, and windshields have tight and awkward areas that are difficult to clean. Still, routine cleaning is essential in preventing windshield haze, especially for active smokers.
We recommend the Invisible Glass Reach & Clean Tool as a convenient way to clean your glass. The tool features an angled microfiber cleaning bonnet designed to get into small, hard-to-reach parts of your windshield. For the best results, use a flat-side down and pointed side up.
Invisible Glass & Anti-Fog
Picking a quality glass cleaner is key to removing windshield haze. Avoid glass cleaners with bright-colored additives and excess soaps, which leave behind colored residue and streaking. You can conduct a shake to see how much soap is in a glass cleaner by shaking the bottle for a few seconds to see how many bubbles appear. If excess soap is present, you will see foam build up and linger.
Consider Invisible Glass; it’s strong enough to break down surface debris and guarantees a streak-free finish.
How to clean windshield haze
Gather your tools and get ready to correct windshield haze. Follow the steps and techniques below to start seeing clearly again:
Apply a quality glass cleaner to the windshield
Begin by cleaning the interior of the glass. Apply your choice of glass cleaner to the top of your windshield, spraying a conservative amount in a horizontal pass. Cleaning from top to bottom ensures no glass cleaning residue drips onto previously cleaned areas.
Stubborn or baked-on windshield haze takes years to build up. It might require more than one application of a glass cleaner to remove thoroughly.
Wipe with a microfiber cloth or windshield cleaning tool
After you’ve applied glass cleaner to the top portion of your windshield, use a microfiber towel or windshield cleaning tool to wipe in either an up-and-down or side-to-side motion. Avoid circular wiping – this leads to streaking and a lackluster finish. Continue applying cleaner and wipe, working towards the dash. Once you’ve cleaned the interior glass, repeat this process on the exterior.
The outer portion of your glass takes the brunt of various outdoor pollutants, though plain water may be responsible for foggy glass. Window haze occurs when warm air from inside the car meets your windows and cools rapidly, condensing and becoming liquid. As this liquid evaporates, it can leave behind a cloudy fog.
More in-depth information about water and other haze-causing contaminants is below.
Apply Anti-Fog
After using your glass cleaner, the interior of your windshield will be free of the hazy film. However, your glass could still fog up depending on various in-cabin and outdoor conditions, including smoking, air conditioning, humidity, pollution, etc. Taking a small, additional step can prevent future haze.
Anti-Fog solutions minimize surface tension between the glass and water, creating a hydrophilic surface that repels water from your glass. Rather than adhering, the water condenses into droplets that off your window.
Stoner Car Care’s Anti-Fog product is a simple and effective solution to potential fogging issues. Its unique formula prevents hazing and fog build up on your windows. Just spray the product onto a microfiber towel or tool and wipe it onto your cleaned windows for continuous, seamless visibility.
Now that we’ve corrected the window haze, let’s dive into the root causes of the problem.
What causes interior windshield haze?
Your windshield’s interior and exterior surfaces come in contact with various compounds and conditions. Any of these exposures may fog your glass, though below are some of the most common causes of windshield haze.
Humidity
Humidity may create moisture on your windshield. Small water particles stick to your windshield, making it the perfect landing spot for airborne debris and dust. Once the humidity drops, water evaporates, but the residue remains. Over time, variations in moisture create a thick layer of dirt and haze.
Humidity, the most common cause of window fogging, is easily removed by the cleaning process described above.
Smoking
Interior haze can also build up from smoking. The smoke from burning cigarettes quickly builds up on cabin surfaces – even if smokers crack windows to vent their smoke. You may notice a smoker’s haze near the windshield's edges as a yellowish residue with a pungent odor. Smoke-related buildup can be difficult to remove. If you’re an active smoker, you’ll want to clean your windshield at least once a month to avoid permanent stains.
Cabin moisture
On warm days, moisture inside the vehicle may cause a thin layer of haze on your windshield. Water haze, easily identifiable as tiny water beads clinging to windows, is transparent and may contain a slight, damp odor. Use a microfiber to wipe away moisture and prevent the clouding that may result from evaporation.
Severe moisture-related haze may occur due to carpet or upholstery dampness. You will need to repair or replace water-damaged rugs or upholstery to prevent window fogging and other serious issues such as mildew and mold.
Vapor from vinyl and plastic
Interior windshield haze may result from airborne contaminants from the vehicle's plastics, vinyl, carpets, and polymers. Car interiors reach scorching temperatures during the hot months. When the temperatures rise, vinyl and other plastics within the cabin release molecules that eventually settle on the surface of your windshield. This type of hazing may occur in any vehicle, but this vaporization most commonly appears in newer car models.
Vapors from vinyl and plastics typically have a dark hue. They’re odorless and most commonly form during warmer months of the year.
Engine or heater coolant leak
Rarely, window fog may have a particularly concerning cause. Engine or heater coolant can leak through your vehicle’s front air vents to form a green haze on the interior of your windshield. It has an unmistakable odor that is very strong and easily detected. If you notice a strong smell or a green haze on your glass, get your car serviced by a certified mechanic as soon as possible.
Exterior haze
While some conditions can spell trouble on the windshield’s interior, the exterior may be more challenging to keep clear. Outside surfaces continually face the elements, and here are several causes of external window fogging.
Hard water and acid rain
Water makes your car clean, right? A car wash can create a haze over your windshield, depending on whether it uses hard water. Hard water contains many minerals leached from underground pipes or mineral deposits. You will know if you have hard water if you find white residue or droplet outlines on your surfaces after cleaning and drying. Happily, glass cleaners effectively remove hard water stains.
In addition to car washes, precipitation may contribute to window fogging. In particular, large cities and metro areas experience window-fogging acid rain, which results from industrial pollution from burning coal or other fossil fuels. Acid rain clouds windows and erodes the surfaces of vehicles. If you live in an area that receives acid rain, consider cleaning your windshield and exterior at least monthly to prevent surface damage.
Salt
For many, summer means beach time, and winter means snow. Both seasons mean salt, which can cloud windows and damage a vehicle’s metal components and surfaces. Sea salt vapors can travel through the air for up to 50 miles from a coastline. If you live near or visit the beach, you can learn more about protecting your car in our blog post on cleaning after a beach trip.
Road salt, used to melt snow and ice during the winter season, also finds its way to your car through precipitation or by being slung from tires. Salt haze, well-known for its white, powdery appearance, can be challenging to clean regardless of its origin, and removal may require several cleaning passes. Even if cold temperatures prevent you from conducting a full detail, you should frequently wipe down your windows with a quality glass cleaner throughout the winter.
Drive with confidence!
Over time, windshield haze is impossible to avoid for multiple reasons. Nevertheless, a trusty glass cleaner, combined with a few simple steps, is the answer to any windshield haze difficulties. Follow this short but effective process: Apply a quality streak-free glass cleaner and use a microfiber cloth or windshield cleaning tool with horizontal passes. Then, apply an anti-fog solution to the windshield after cleaning for the best results. Make sure the road ahead is clear so you can enjoy safe and scenic travel.
