How to Unfreeze Car Doors With Vinegar

Lisa Conant, Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Reviewed by

Lisa Conant, Automotive Content Specialist

Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Written by CarParts.com Research Team - Updated on April 23rd, 2024

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Summary
  • Put vinegar solution inside a spray bottle and spray it on your vehicle’s doors. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which lowers the ice’s freezing point.
  • It will take a few minutes after applying the vinegar solution to affect the ice. When this happens, you can then use an ice scraper to get rid of the ice more easily.
  • Some users and articles online claim that the vinegar and water solution can be used to prevent ice from accumulating on your vehicle. Spray the solution onto your vehicle the night before and you should have significantly less ice the next morning.

It’s wintertime and you wake up one morning and find that your vehicle’s doors are frozen shut. There are a lot of methods and tips online when it comes to unfreezing car doors. One of these methods is to use two parts vinegar and one part water. Put the solution inside a spray bottle and spray it on your vehicle’s doors. Some sources say the mixture will melt the ice right before your eyes because vinegar contains acetic acid, which lowers the ice’s freezing point.

In reality, it will take some time for the vinegar to affect the ice. It should noticeably soften a few minutes after applying the vinegar solution. When this happens, you can then use an ice scraper to get rid of the ice more easily.

One way to unfreeze your car door is to use two parts vinegar and one part water, and spray it on your door.

Some users and articles online claim that the vinegar and water solution should be used to prevent ice from accumulating on your vehicle, instead of using it to melt the ice that has already accumulated. Spray the solution onto your vehicle the night before and you should have significantly less ice the next morning.

Also, keep in mind that vinegar has some acidic properties. As a result, it can be corrosive to some of your vehicle’s components such as the window, paint, and rubber. Vinegar also leaves a sour smell. If you don’t like the idea of using vinegar, there are plenty of alternatives to use as a deicer, such as vodka, alcohol, and windshield wiper fluid.

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About The Authors
Reviewed By Lisa Conant

Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.

Written By CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

View Comments

  • I don't think I would want to put vinegar on my car paint. Although, it is a food product and intended to be consumed as-is, it is still acidic enough to removed calcium-lime scale from plumbing fixtures. Alcohol might be a better choice, as it won't harm any surfaces.

    The truth is, any liquid that won't easily refreeze and that is indoor room temperature will be warm enough to melt the ice and rinse it off without refreezing in place. Windshield washer fluid would be another good choice, since it includes "anti-freezing" properties.

    And, obviously, you would never want to use any luke-warm or hot liquid to melt the ice. The temperature shock could damage the paint. And everyone should know to never pour any hot liquid on frozen glass.