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How do I unfreeze car doors with vinegar?

Can vinegar be used as a deicer? I live in North Dakota and have heard that vinegar will unfreeze car doors. Is this true? If so, how do I do it?

avatar
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“To unfreeze your car doors, simply fill a spray bottle with two parts vinegar to one part water. Spray liberally on the doors, taking care to avoid your car’s windows.
The vinegar will melt the ice. And after about a minute, you should be able to open your car door. If it still seems stuck, double-check that the door is unlocked!
Note that vinegar can cause discoloration on windows. That’s why it’s important to steer clear of the glass when spraying down your doors.
Of course, it is important to remove ice from your windows, as poor visibility is one of the
top causes of car accidents
. Your best bet is to turn on your vehicle, let it warm up, and use the car’s defroster. If ice remains, use a scraper to remove the rest.
Bad weather can definitely be a bummer for car owners. Stay prepared by keeping your vinegar mixture and ice scraper on hand as part of your
winter emergency kit
.
For an added layer of protection, consider a roadside assistance membership.
Jerry
partners with Urgently to provide roadside assistance, including jump starts, lockout service, key replacement, and towing for only $50 a year.”
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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