An ice scraper is a handheld tool for removing frost, ice, and snow from windows, usually on automobiles. Basic scrapers have a plastic blade and handle, though some have blades made out of metal. More complex models often include brushes to help remove collected snow, or squeegees to remove water if the ambient temperature is near the melting point. Alternatively, the handle can be inside a glove-like enclosure to help keep the user's hands warm and dry while using the scraper. The blade of an ice scraper is usually flat if it is made out of metal, though some varieties include ridges that can be helpful if it is necessary to break up a sheet of ice (such as what collects in freezing rain). Plastic blades tend to have a more complex shape with several thick "fingers" linked together. This form helps the blade to flex, since most modern car windows have a slight curvature. The "fingers" also often have ridges on top, so the scraper can be flipped over to break up thick ice. More complex designs exists to improve ice clearance on curved glass on automobiles.[1] It usually only takes a few minutes to clear the windows of a car if frost has collected overnight. When there is snow, it can usually just be cleared by brushing away, though some snow directly pressing against windows can turn into ice, especially if the car was warm as snow began to collect. This remaining ice usually requires the use of a scraper, but is easily removed. Ice collected in freezing rain is the hardest to clear away, since it can form in a smooth layer. Clearing such ice often requires chipping away small regions, and slowly expanding them. People frequently report that they have to work for 20 to 30 minutes to clear windows (and rear-view mirrors) on cars that are covered in ice. By warming up the car and activating the rear-window defogger prior to using the scraper, work can proceed more efficiently. (some cars advise against prolonged idling to "warm up" the car. An alternative to scraping is to use lukewarm water to remove frost and ice, immediately followed by the wipers to prevent refreezing on the windshield. This often has the beneficial side-effect of demisting the inside of the windows as heat is conducted through the glass. Very hot water should not be used as there is a risk of cracking the glass.
