How To Clean Your Wiper Blades For A Clearer Windscreen

Wiper blades play an integral role in ensuring your windscreen is clean and clear to perform its duty properly, so it stands to reason that it deserves the same level of maintenance you’d afford to other parts of a vehicle.

Indeed, looking after your windscreen wipers by regularly cleaning your wiper blades will mean a clearer windscreen every time you use them and ensure they operate reliably.

So, while wiper blades are responsible cleaning your windscreen, there is value in taking responsibility for cleaning your wiper blades too.

Why You Should Clean Your Windscreen Wipers

While windscreen wipers perform one of the most important roles on a vehicle, its exposed location on the exterior of a vehicle makes it susceptible to a build-up of grime, dirt, grit and oil that can damage your windscreen.

If debris becomes trapped under the blades or within the housing around the bonnet where wiper blades rest, it could be swept across the screen. This might cause imperfections and scratches that over time could affect the vision through the windscreen.

This is particularly true in the winter months when leaves fall from trees and salt or grit is being applied to icy road surfaces. 

It’s not just restricted to the winter months though. In the summer, increased bird activity means more droppings, while bugs and sticky sap can also affect wiper blades if left untreated.

Then there is a build-up of oil and fuel deposited from vehicles around you which may appear unnoticeable to the naked eye but can accumulate on wiper blades when they are used to clear the windscreen. Wiping alone won’t wash the oil off and often requires a more robust hand-clean to remove it entirely from wiper blades.

The Benefits Of Cleaning Your Wiper Blades

Better Performance – Clean wiper blades mean a clean windscreen
Reliable Cleaning Results – Wiper blades that are free from grit and dirt will ensure good contact with the screen for more consistent wiping results
Durable Lifespan – Cleaner wiper blades will stop foreign agents causing the materials to deteriorate sooner
Reduced Risk For Windscreen – Wiper blades free of grit and debris will protect the windscreen from receiving any undue damage that might necessitate repair

Of course, it should be remembered wiper blades will over time naturally deteriorate through prolonged use. It is important to note that effective windscreen wipers are vital to the safe and legal use of a vehicle and can be the difference between passing or failing an MOT.

If you suspect the time has come for you to update your wiper blades, Wiperblades.co.uk can help. 

With Wiperblades.co.uk you can purchase the wiper blades that are guaranteed to fit your vehicle, all at great value prices, even among top name brands like Bosch, Michelin and Lucas.

Plus, with our easy-to-follow fitment videos and expert guidance, you can install them in under a minute - keeping your windscreen spotless with minimal effort.

How To Clean Your Wiper Blades

What you’ll need:
- A sponge, rags or paper towels
- A bucket filled with warm soapy water or washer fluid
- Surgical spirit for rinsing

Do not use:
- WD40, this is a water displacer which will leave streaks and smears if used on your windscreen and make it harder to disperse water

1.    Clean your vehicle and prepare the wiper blades

First things first, give the area around your wiper blades – the windscreen and mechanism area – a wash down with hot, soapy water. Then lift the windscreen wiper arms carefully or activate the switch that raises them automatically.

Be mindful that windscreen wipers are spring-loaded and can snap back if they slip from your grasp before you’ve reached full extension. The snap back could cause damage to the blades and windscreen, so lift carefully until you feel for the click that tells you they can stand independently.

2.    Cleaning your wiper blades

Grab your chosen cleaning materials, gently wipe down the windscreen wiper and blade. Be gentle with the rubber blade using a single wiping motion in one direction, rather than scrubbing vigorously up and down. 

You’ll likely notice that you will get black grime in the cloth, so use multiple new clothes until the wiper blade is clean.

3.    Cleaning around the wiper blade mechanism

Once you have cleaned the blade, move onto the wiper arm and mechanism. Dirt can often get trapped in these areas, which can hamper the movement of the blade and potentially cause it to malfunction altogether if debris is left to build-up.

Again, take your time and be delicate with the cleaning to prevent unwanted damage. Be sure to clear away any debris that might have accumulated between the bottom of the windscreen and the top of the bonnet.

4.    Rinse your wiper blades

To give your vehicle a perfect finish, use the surgical spirit to rinse off any suds or residue from cleaning your wipers. Avoid using white spirit for this as it is less effective and can lead to damage.

Once you’ve done that, carefully return the windscreen wipers into their working position and appreciate a job well done!