Getting Bugs off Your Windshield

One of the toughest things about cleaning a windshield is getting rid of the bug guts from all the smashed insects. Talk about gross, yuck. Cleaning those nasty messes doesn't have to be a hard or difficult process. In fact you are going to be surprised at just how easy it is. All that you have to do is use one of the methods listed below, and soon you are going to have a sparkling clean, bug free windshield again.

• Household cleaners. One of the easiest, or should I say cheapest, ways to go about cleaning the insectile nastiness is to use things from around the house. By mixing about 3 tablespoons of a regular household cleaner with about a quart of hot water. As always, the hotter the water, the better. For some reason hot water seems to clean things easier, but do not injure yourself, only use water that is hot enough for you to put your hands into.
• Baking soda. Making a paste out baking soda and water is another simple solution. Apply the paste using a paper towel, or a rag that you are willing to throw away after finishing. Allow the paste to dry completely before wiping away with hot water.
• Degreaser. For those particularly sticky forms of nastiness, try using a degreasing agent like WD-40. Just spray it onto the spot, and wipe away with rags or paper towels. You may need to use a little bit of elbow grease, but the guts will be removed.
• Car wash solution. If you are about to wash your vehicle, then try "pre-treating" the bug stains by using some undiluted car wash solution. You can purchase this at any auto-parts store. Apply the concentrated solution with a clean rag, or paper towel, and after application simply wash your vehicle as you normally would, and it is going to be clean and free of any bug debris.
• Olive Oil. Believe it or not extra virgin olive oil will remove smashed bugs from windshields. Soak the rag in the olive oil, and then wipe away the guts using a circular motion. After you have done this, you may need to wash your windshields, so don't be surprised if this happens.

Each of the methods listed above work on your headlights as well. When you use them though, you want to make sure that you are not attempting to clean the headlights while they are on. Doing so is not going to harm the headlights, but it may in fact make it more difficult to remove the bug remains as they are getting "cooked" by the heat of the lights.