How to Keep Your Wiper Blades in Good Condition

Wiper blades are the reason you can see the road through your windscreen in poor weather.

They’re pivotal to safety and visibility, yet so many people are unaware of the quick and easy tips that you can follow to keep your wiper blades in good condition for as long as possible.

Usually, wiper blades last 6-12 months before they need to be replaced. By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to maximise your wiper blades’ lifespan to the latter end of their expected lifetime.

9 Tips to Keep Your Wiper Blades in Good Condition

• Regularly wash your car, especially the windshield. This will minimise the amount of dirt and residue left that will wear down the wipers.
• Use the hoses at petrol stations to wash your windscreen each time you top up on fuel.
• Remove dirt or stones that could damage the rubber coating on the blades.
• Regularly wipe the blades with a clean cloth and washer fluid to remove dirt and keep the wipers from drying out.
• If ice or snow has frozen across your windshield, take a couple of minutes to clear this manually before using your wipers. The blades are likely to become damaged if forced through thick layers of ice and snow.
• Avoid car waxes – these include rubber-deteriorating oil.
• Pull your wiper blades away from your windshield during winter to avoid ice build-up around the rubber casing.
• During summer, park in the shade to minimise sun exposure, which can cause the wiper blades to crack.
• Only use your wipers when the windshield is wet. This will avoid damage caused by excessive friction.

Read up on the 7 signs to look out for so that you know when your wipers are in need of replacement.

And when the time comes for you to change your wipers, you can follow these simple instructions to get the job done on your driveway.

When You Need New Wiper Blades

Though keeping your wiper blades in good condition will maximise their lifetime, you can still expect to need annual replacements. Windscreen wipers are under constant pressure to keep your windshield clear for good visibility, particularly in the rainy UK.

Wiper blades come in a variety of styles and sizes, and the type that you need comes down to both preference and the size required by your vehicle.

Search your registration plate in our car finder to see all the OEM and reliable aftermarket windscreen wipers that will fit your car.

All DIY car service parts are manufactured by trusted, high-quality brands. Here are just a few of the brands that we stock.