What uses do glass squeegees possess? While there’s no doubting why glass is used for windscreens, its transparent nature will mean that the smallest imperfections will show up. Especially during the months when the best winter products should be on your shortlist.
A good glass cleaner and microfibre towel is a start, but to really eliminate water without leaving streaks, a squeegee can’t be beaten. And let’s not forget that simply running a squeegee blade across all your car’s windows will save so much more time than the whole process of applying glass cleaner and drying them. A useful tip on a busy winter morning.
A squeegee is a simple silicone blade perfect for effectively pushing water off glass, leaving behind a streak-free finish. A dash of rain repellent will prevent those nasty streaks from building up on your windscreen, but the physicality of a squeegee is all the more satisfying.
The best glass squeegees at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Autoglym Hi-Tech Flexi Water Blade – Buy from Amazon.
Best budget glass squeegee: Silverline Silicon Drying Blade – Buy from Amazon.
Best versatile glass squeegee: Mr.Siga Multi-Purpose Squeegee – Buy from Amazon.
During the winter months after you’ve gone into battle with an ice scraper, water is usually left behind. A good squeegee will help make your windscreen go from a de-iced one to a crystal clear one. These are the best examples.
The best glass squeegees
Editor's pick
Autoglym even claims that this is suitable to be used on a ‘thoroughly cleaned’ car, although we’d still recommend getting busy with a proper drying towel instead to avoid any risk of scratching.
Pros
- Great build quality
- Trusted brand
Cons
- Doesn't include any extras
Best for small cars
Designed for use in the home and car, this squeegee makes use of OXO’s legendary ‘Good Grips’ handle design meaning it remains comfortable and ergonomic to hold while in use. It’s also affordable and built with quality in mind.
Pros
- Small size makes it easy to store
- Great at small windows
Cons
- The job will take longer on larger car windows
Best curved squeegee
There are three sizes available and Vikan is renowned for quality and affordability, making this squeegee a smart purchase.
Pros
- Effective design
- Quality construction
Cons
- The handle makes storage a tad tricky
Best versatile glass squeegee
Rrp: $11.99
Rrp: $11.99
You get a range of three different colours and if you don't want to use the suction wall hook, there's a hole on the handle to hang it as well.
Pros
- Durable build quality
- Easy to store
Cons
- The colour options are quite boring
Best budget squeegee
You can opt for a one, two, or three-pack depending on your choice, and all boast great value. But don't expect the build quality to be top-notch.
Pros
- Great value
- Can be had in packs
Cons
- Build quality isn't the best
FAQs
What is a squeegee, and why should I use it on my car windows?
A squeegee is a tool with a flat, smooth rubber blade used to remove water, cleaning solutions, or debris from surfaces. Using a squeegee on car windows ensures a streak-free finish, improves visibility, and removes dirt and grime effectively. It is especially useful after washing your car or during rainy weather to quickly clear water off the windows.
Can a squeegee scratch my car windows or paint?
When used correctly, a squeegee is generally safe for use on car windows. However, if dirt or debris is on the rubber blade or if the blade is damaged, it could potentially scratch the glass. It is important to keep the squeegee blade clean and replace it if it shows signs of wear. Avoid using a squeegee on the car’s painted surfaces to prevent scratches, especially if the surface is dirty.
Can I use a squeegee on tinted car windows?
Yes, you can use a squeegee on tinted car windows. However, ensure the squeegee is clean, and the rubber blade is in good condition to avoid scratching or damaging the tint film.
Is a squeegee effective for cleaning the inside of car windows?
Yes, a squeegee can be used on the inside of car windows. For best results, use a smaller squeegee designed for interior use to navigate tight spaces and angles.
Can a squeegee be used to remove snow and ice from car windows?
While a squeegee can help remove light snow or frost, it is not ideal for removing thick ice. For heavy snow and ice, a dedicated ice scraper or a combination of a brush and ice scraper is more effective. After scraping, a squeegee can be used to clear any remaining water or frost.
What to consider with glass squeegees
You really shouldn’t use them on your bodywork unless you like scratched paintwork. Glass squeegees look flexible enough to curve to the contours of a car while effectively scraping away water. But, in reality, that blade will collect any tiny bits of grit and drag them across your paintwork, leaving no water and a scratch. But alongside a snow shovel, perhaps, they are still really useful things to keep in your car over winter.
If you can 100% guarantee that there are no contaminants left on your car after washing it, then it’s alright but achieving this is nearly impossible. Run your hand over a freshly cleaned car and it’ll feel about as smooth as cheap toilet paper. This contamination is the reason clay bars are so essential prior to polishing. For this reason, we say stick to a dedicated drying towel. When it comes to the inside of your car, we highly recommend keeping a dehumidifier on your dashboard. It keeps the air nice and fresh.
You may also believe that simply using your windscreen wipers will suffice in ridding the morning water. While this is true, glass squeegees will leave a clearer finish, enabling a streak-free finish all the way across your windscreen and every other window, and giving you a lot more vision. That’s particularly vital when the light is low and temperatures drop. But hopefully not so low, that you’ll have to resort to a set of snow chains.
How we choose
All of these squeegees have been hand-selected by our team of experts who have spent hours investigating and researching squeegees to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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