Summer screenwash

Ultrasonic

Does anyone know a good summer screenwash; one that actually has a stab a clearing away insects that have met an untimely death on the windscreen?

From a nose online the only one that seems to stand out is Prestone Bugwash, but this doesn't seem to be widely available. I can only find it on eBay where it is rather pricey. Any other good options?

Thanks .

Ultrasonic

Actually, I've just found Homebase sell Bugwash, so I'll probably give this a go unless anyone has any good cheaper tips? Bugwash is £6.49 for 4L.

topdaddy_2

At this time of year id say be mse and use water. Its much cheaper and easier to get therefore you can use more of it.

Retrogamer

topdaddy wrote: »

At this time of year id say be mse and use water. Its much cheaper and easier to get therefore you can use more of it.

If the water stays inside the bottle for too long though then it'll become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Usually not a problem until you spray the bacteria infested water all over the windscreen where it can then enter the cabin if you have the fans on.
Quite a lot of people have become ill from it in the past.
Screenwash kills off the bacteria as well as cleans the screen.

chrisw

Retrogamer wrote: »

Quite a lot of people have become ill from it in the past.

Not only that but the bacteria form a black sludge in the washer bottle which blocks up the pump filters and jets. The washer bottles are usually a right pain to get to for cleaning.

topdaddy_2

Retrogamer wrote: »

If the water stays inside the bottle for too long though then it'll become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Usually not a problem until you spray the bacteria infested water all over the windscreen where it can then enter the cabin if you have the fans on.
Quite a lot of people have become ill from it in the past.
Screenwash kills off the bacteria as well as cleans the screen.

But it wont sit in there too long if being liberally used to clean off the excessive bugs.;) if it is then you dont need the expensiv stuff and usual screen wash will be fine. I have heard of legionella being found in washer bottles-dunno how true that is

Iceweasel

Believe it or not Halfrauds own 'Berry' is pretty good.

5 litres for £4.99

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/screenwash-de-icer/halfords--10-concentrate-screenwash-5l-berry

Because it has protection down to -10C it has an ingredient which sees off the algae and slime which others allow to multiply in warm weather.

it also smells yummy.

Come Autumn I'll be switching back to the Lidl -70C stuff.

Retrogamer

I've just been using Asda own brand stuff for summer and winter.
Had it freeze even at 100% raw mixture in the winter before so not great if it's really cold.

ChumpusRex

You can use water in Summer. Add a teaspoon of a cheap disinfectant antiseptic to the bottle to eliminate algae and bacteria, and 1/2 teaspoon of dishwasher rinse agent to help with bug shifting.

Ultrasonic

Thanks for the replies.

I definitely won't be using just water due to the very real health concerns, see e.g.:

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/06June/Pages/Legionnaires-risk-from-wiper-water.aspx

ChumpusRex wrote:

You can use water in Summer. Add a teaspoon of a cheap disinfectant antiseptic to the bottle to eliminate algae and bacteria, and 1/2 teaspoon of dishwasher rinse agent to help with bug shifting.

Interesting idea, although not so straightforward for me as I don't have a dishwasher. I would also be a little reluctant to start mixing chemicals like this and putting them in the screenwash bottle, in case they corroded anything, or blocked the fan jets.

Ultrasonic

Iceweasel wrote: »

Believe it or not Halfrauds own 'Berry' is pretty good...

Thanks for the tip. Do you use this neat or diluted?

Come Autumn I'll be switching back to the Lidl -70C stuff.

Me too .