Foggy car windows and a clean windscreen in a Marbella winter
Damp mornings and autumn rain fog up car glass on the Costa del Sol. How to keep windows clear, clean the inside of the windscreen and care for wipers.
· 2 min read
Why car windows fog up on the coast
Fogging is simply moisture in the air condensing on cold glass. On the Costa del Sol the air is humid, and on a cool autumn or winter morning the breath of the people in the car, damp floor mats and a wet umbrella are all it takes to cloud the windscreen.
A car that has been parked outdoors in the rain and then closed up holds even more moisture. The less damp inside the cabin, the less fog you will fight.
Clearing fog quickly and safely
Turn on the air conditioning with the demisting setting and direct the air at the windscreen. The air conditioning dries the air as well as cooling it, which is why it clears glass faster than heat alone. Heat it up gradually once the glass is clear.
Avoid wiping the inside with your hand or a dirty cloth: it smears the film already on the glass and leaves streaks that catch the low winter sun. Using recirculation for long periods keeps the humid air inside, so switch to fresh air when you can.
Cleaning the inside of the windscreen
The film on the inside of the glass comes from plastics in the dashboard, skin oils and smoke or vapour. It makes fogging worse and glare at night much stronger. Clean it with a glass cleaner that is safe for cars, using two clean microfibre cloths: one to apply, one to polish dry.
Spray the cloth rather than the glass so the product does not run onto the dashboard or leather, and wipe in one direction, then the other, so you can see which side a streak is on. Do not forget the lower edge of the glass behind the dashboard, where the film builds up most.
Wipers, rubber seals and the damp cabin
After a dry summer, wiper blades are often hardened by the sun. If they smear or chatter on the first autumn rain, wipe the rubber edge with a damp cloth, and replace them if that does not help. Check the washer fluid too, and top it up with proper screenwash rather than plain water.
Take wet floor mats out to dry, vacuum the carpets and check the boot and door seals for water. A small bag of moisture absorber in the footwell helps, and a car that smells musty needs the source of the damp found, not just an air freshener.
Keeping it up through the season
A quick wipe of the inside glass every few weeks and an airing of the cabin on dry days prevents most of the problem. If the car stands for long periods in a garage, make sure the space is ventilated.
If you would like help, Lavanda also offers mobile luxury car care, including interior cleaning and glass. Ask us what is suitable for your car before booking.
