Hey friends! You know that annoying moment when your wipers just don't do their job — and instead of cleaning the windshield, they leave streaks or skip patches? Yeah… I've been there too.

At one point, I thought I needed new wipers every few months. But turns out — they weren't broken… just dirty! 🤯 So today, I'm sharing my go-to wiper blade cleaning trick that has saved me more than a few bucks and made rainy drives a whole lot safer.

Why your wipers aren't working

Over time, wiper blades collect dust, oil, sap, and other gunk. When that builds up, they can't grip the glass properly — which leads to streaks, squeaks, or that dreaded "half-wipe" effect.

Most people think their blades are worn out. But honestly, in many cases? They just need a good clean.

What you need 🧽

Nothing fancy — here's my quick cleaning kit:

• A soft microfiber cloth or paper towel

• Warm water

• A few drops of dish soap

• (Optional) Rubbing solution

That's it. You probably already have all of this at home.

Step-by-step cleaning guide

1. Lift the wiper arms gently away from the windshield (just like when you're washing your car).

2. Soak your cloth in the warm, soapy water.

3. Wipe the rubber blade from end to end. Use a firm but gentle grip. You'll probably see black residue coming off — that's a good sign!

4. If the grime is stubborn, go over it again with rubbing solution on a fresh cloth. It cuts through oily film super effectively.

5. Wipe the metal or plastic parts too, just to get rid of any buildup.

6. Dry everything off, lower the arms gently, and you're done!

This takes 5–10 minutes max and can make your blades work like brand new.

When cleaning won't help 🚨

If your wiper blades are cracked, hardened, or leaving scratches — it's probably time to replace them. Cleaning helps extend life, but damaged rubber won't bounce back.

A good rule? If cleaning doesn't fix the problem, get a new set. But always try cleaning first! You might be surprised.

Extra tip — clean your windshield too

Sometimes it's not the wipers… it's the glass! Dirt, wax, and bug splatter on the windshield can make even perfect wipers look bad. So don't forget to give the windshield a good wash every now and then. 🧼

Let's chat 👇

Have you ever tried cleaning your wiper blades before replacing them? Or do you have another hack that works like magic? Drop your tips or questions below — I'd love to hear what works for you!

Let's all see clearly — rain or shine. 🌧️☀️