Ice scraper hacks: Creative ways Houston, others make a way without cold weather gear

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HOUSTON – The ice and snow storm that hit Houston and the surrounding areas this week has taught us all a little more about cold temperatures and dealing with frozen precipitation.

Specifically -- windshield wipers sometimes just don’t cut it.

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#houstonice

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Without scrapers, many people who had to drive got very creative about the rare situation of removing thick sheets of ice from their windshields.

Here are some of the most creative methods we’ve seen, both in Houston and elsewhere:

Credit cards or plastic cards
This is a good move to get the process started, especially if you already gotten into your car and started up the defrost. 

CAR TIP #9: DIY Ice-Scraper: If you cannot find your ice-scraper there is an easy do-it-yourself fix! Use an old credit...

Posted by Santa Fe Tow on Wednesday, December 9, 2015

The good 'ol kitchen spatula: 

Just don't take your significant other's good spatula and you are in the clear, literally. The spatula can cut through the ice and remove the cold stuff in seconds. 

It works! #icescraper

Posted by Sonia Morales on Tuesday, January 16, 2018

"WHY YOU USING MY GOOD SPATULA?" Did you get creative today as you removed the ice from your car -- what did you do? Let us know! WINTRY CONDITIONS HEADED OUR WAY: https://www.click2houston.com/weather/wintry-mix-makes-for-icy-morning-in-houston-area?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=kprc2 PHOTOS: https://www.click2houston.com/slideshow/photos-icy-winter-storm-in-houston?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=kprc2

Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Smartphone holder:

You do the best with what you have, and at KPRC 2, one of our web team members used a smartphone holder to scrape down windshields. He used the smartphone holder as a handle and the round attachment as a scraper. He said the "scraper" performed well.   

Tamale spreader:

A tamale spreader can make delicious food or cut through ice. It's all about the versatility -- and the tamales. We hope someone got some tamales after cutting through all of that ice.

DIY ice scraper

WATCH: When all else fails in Texas, use a tamale spreader as a scraper! More examples of locals improvising: http://exne.ws/2D8ZyrB Credit: Joe Castillo

Posted by My San Antonio from the Express-News on Tuesday, January 16, 2018

False teeth:

This is an older post, but apparently someone got their false teeth after an ice-covered windshield. We hope they didn't get frostbite. 

Tennis racket:

When life serves up snow, you scrape it off with a tennis racket.

My " #icescraper " on this day back in 2013. Sometimes you have to use whatever works and is available in your car 🚗 at that moment. Happy Monday y'all !

Posted by Chad Franzen WSAW on Monday, January 30, 2017

Book:

#ICESCRAPER #MEMPHIS #TITAN

Posted by Richard McClure on Sunday, March 2, 2014

CDs:

Those half-melted CDs in your trunk have a purpose again. 

Disney is helping see out of my windshield #icescraper #determined #tahoeproblems

Posted by Trinity Melick on Sunday, September 22, 2013

Plastic cone:

If you have an emergency kit in your trunk, it may be outfitted with a few of these cones. Could work -- maybe? 

Get some use these cones #icescraper

Posted by Ray Woodhouse on Thursday, November 24, 2016

Did you scrape off your windshield in a creative fashion? How did you do it? Let us know in the comments!