I Had No Clue About This! My Nana’s Genius Trick for Unfreezing Frozen Car Door Locks
Few things are more frustrating than being late on a cold winter morning, tugging on your car door handle… and realizing it’s completely frozen shut. You blow on your hands, yank harder, maybe even consider pouring hot water—until you remember that can crack the glass.
That’s when I remembered my nana’s old-school trick, and honestly, I couldn’t believe how well it worked.
The Simple Trick Nana Swore By
Instead of hot water or brute force, she used something almost everyone has at home:
Rubbing Alcohol (or Hand Sanitizer)
That’s it. No fancy tools. No damage to your car.
How to Do It
- Put a small amount of rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizer on your fingers or a cloth.
- Rub it gently along the door lock, handle, and seal edges.
- Wait a few seconds and try the handle again.
The ice loosens almost instantly.
Why This Works So Well
Alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water, meaning it melts ice quickly and prevents it from refreezing right away. Unlike hot water, it won’t:
- Crack your windshield
- Freeze back into thicker ice
- Damage paint or seals
It’s fast, safe, and incredibly effective.
Extra Nana-Approved Winter Tips
- Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your car during winter
- Spray door seals with silicone spray to prevent future freezing
- Never force a frozen door—you can break the handle or tear the seal
What NOT to Do
- ❌ Pour boiling water on the door
- ❌ Pry the door open
- ❌ Use sharp tools to chip ice
These can cause costly damage in seconds.
The Takeaway
Sometimes the smartest solutions aren’t new—they’re passed down. My nana’s trick has saved me more than once on icy mornings, and now I never face winter without alcohol or hand sanitizer nearby.
Simple. Safe. Genius.
If only we listened to our grandparents sooner. 🚗❄️
