Windscreen Wipers - How to Clean & Change Them
FixMyCar explains how to clean and change your windscreen wipers.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Friday October 27 2023
7 min read
When your windscreen wipers stop clearing away water and debris efficiently, there are two possible explanations: they either need cleaning or replacing. This guide explains how to do both and covers vital information about finding and fitting the correct wiper blades.
How to clean windscreen wipers
Cleaning your windscreen wipers is one of the easiest parts of car maintenance. It only takes a few seconds but can have a massive impact on their effectiveness.
What you’ll need
The following equipment will help you clean your wipers:
Cloths, rags, paper towels or a sponge
Surgical spirit
Washer fluid or a bucket of warm, soapy water
Warning: Never use WD40 to clean your windscreen wipers. It will leave streaks and obscure your view more when it rains.
Follow these steps to clean your windscreen wipers
These easy-to-follow steps will have your wipers working correctly in no time.
Step one: Clean your windscreen and the surrounding area.
Now is an excellent time to clean your car, but the windscreen will suffice if you don’t have time. Use hot, soapy water or a jet washer.
Step two: Lift the wiper arms.
Pull up the wipers so they are vertical, locking them in place. They should stay in this position independently; if not, keep hold of them as you clean.
Step three: Wipe the wipers from top to bottom.
Dip your cloth or sponge in the soapy water and gently wipe up and down the wiper blades until they are clean and there is no dirt on your cloth. If you’re using paper towels, discard them after each wipe.
Step four: Clean the other parts of the wipers.
Focus on the wiper arms and the mechanism that moves them up and down, cleaning any dirt and debris that could obstruct the movement.
Step five: Use surgical spirit to remove the soapy water.
Give your windscreen wipers a final wipe with surgical spirit, which will remove any soapy residue. They should now be as good as new.
Can I use vinegar to clean my wiper blades?
This cleaning hack is popular online, and for good reason - it works! Instead of soapy water, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water, which not only cleans the blades but also softens them, allowing them to work better.
Ensure you clean the vinegar solution off the wipers after you finish.
What windscreen wipers do I need?
The main thing to consider when buying wiper blades is what size you need. They are typically measured in inches, from 10 inches to 32.
You can find this information in your vehicle handbook, where the manufacturer will provide the precise measurements. Alternatively, you could measure the blades yourself. To do this, you’ll need a tape measure. Lift the wipers vertically and measure the blade from bottom to top.
There are also several online tools to find the correct wiper size for your make and model.
What type of wiper blades are available?
There are two types of blades you need to be aware of:
Standard wiper blades
Flat wiper blades
Standard wiper blades feature a rubber strip attached underneath a metal holder and are designed with four pressure points to optimise flexibility.
Flat wiper blades sit lower to the windscreen, allowing them to exert more pressure on the glass. As a result, they are quieter and have less air resistance, improving the wiping motion.
How do I know when to replace my windscreen wipers?
Wiper blades don’t last forever. They are exposed to the elements, including damage from UV rays and airborne debris. Eventually, they’ll need replacing. But how can you tell?
Look out for the following signs:
Streaks and dirty marks remain on your windscreen after you’ve used the wipers.
The blades stick or squeak during use.
Your windscreen wipers are checked during your annual MOT; if one or both are faulty, your car will fail, so it’s worth checking.
Read this guide to learn about other common MOT fails and how to avoid them.
Other MOT-related content:
How to stop windscreen wipers squeaking
There are four possible reasons why your wipers are squeaking.
Your windscreen is dirty
Sometimes, the squeaking is temporary, caused by dirt gathering on the glass. Ensure you have enough screenwash and thoroughly clean the windscreen to see if this stops the squeaking.
Your blades are dirty
Dirty blades don’t work as effectively as clean ones. Follow the steps above to clean your windscreen wipers, which may prevent the noise from happening again.
Your blades are wiping dry glass
When little moisture is on the windscreen, your blades are more likely to squeak as they encounter greater resistance. The answer may be as simple as topping up your screenwash to prevent the noise.
Your blades are faulty
Inspect your blades for wear and tear and check whether they feel soft or brittle. If they have gone hard, they won’t be able to do their job correctly, which may be causing the squeaking.
You’ll need to replace your wiper blades to fix the problem - the next part of this guide explains how.
How to change windscreen wipers
Follow the steps below explaining how to fit windscreen wipers, which is usually straightforward.
Step one: Find the right wiper blades for your car.
Before removing your old blades, you need to find the correct replacements. Follow the advice above to select the right size and type.
Step two: Clean your windscreen.
You’ve just bought brand-new blades, so you probably don’t want to fit them on a dirty windscreen. Use warm, soapy water and a cloth to remove dirt and pollen.
Step three: Lay a towel or cloth on your windscreen.
When your wipers are in a vertical position without any blades on them, they could damage the windscreen if they snap back. To avoid this, use a towel or something soft to shield the glass.
Step four: Lift the wiper arms.
Pull the wiper arms up so they are vertical, allowing you to access the blades easily. Your vehicle handbook may provide more information about the ideal position they should be put in.
Step five: Remove the old blades.
There are different mechanisms for removing wiper blades. On some cars, you slide the blade down and unhook it; on others, you pull clips that keep the blade in place. A quick online search should provide the necessary information if you can’t work out how to remove your blades.
Once you have removed the blades, take them to a local recycling centre.
Step six: Attach your new blades.
Use the same method to attach your new blades that you removed the old ones with. Take your time and avoid using too much force, as you could accidentally damage the clips or housing.
Some cars have a different length blade at the passenger side - ensure you attach the correct blades.
Step seven: Gently return your wipers to the windscreen.
After you’ve fitted your new blades, you can remove the protective towel from the windscreen and return the wipers to their original horizontal position.
Step eight: Test them out.
Switch your wipers on. They should leave the glass streak-free and shouldn’t judder or squeak - if they do, you may have to make some minor adjustments.
If you’d rather avoid the hassle of changing your wiper blades, why not find a mechanic to do it for you?
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