The Windshield Wonder is a small, portable wand with a microfiber cloth and pad that is meant for cleaning the inside of your windshield. It looks like a no-brainer: it is very small and can be broken down to fit into your glove box; its cleaning surface is very narrow (and small) and conforms to the curve of the glass, allowing you to maneuver it easily across the windshield; and it pivots, again making it perfect for the windshield. And it comes with two (removable) cleaning pads and a mister for water (or other cleaning fluid). All for $9.99. Nice.
I’ll get right to the point: it works in the mechanical and ergonomic sense but leaves streaks. If you were cleaning the windshield of an old beater car that you use occasionally, this would work for you. It is convenient, compact, and not at all cumbersome. But if you are faced with an Eastern commute in the morning and Western retreat in the evening, the streaks left by the device will leave you disillusioned (not only because you won’t be able to see anything through the streaks). I had a difficult time taking photos of the windshields of the cars I tested it on, so I took a few before and after photos using a mirror as the subject.
I zoomed in to show the nasty mirror, then cleaned it with the Windshield Wonder cleaning fluid that rhymes with “shindex” and then took another shot. The “after” photo shows that the mirror is much cleaner than it was, but you can still see streaks. For a mirror in a dark basement that sees very little traffic, or for a little old lady that only drives on Sundays, the Windshield Wonder will work okay. But I really don’t think a road warrior facing a highway in rush-hour traffic would find it satisfactory.
What is the alternative? Hands down, the best way to clean glass without retaining streaks is to use wadded up newspapers. This results in a ridiculously maddening ballet and a cursing torrent when engaging the technique inside a car.
How about a compromise? This Gadgeteer uses a squeegee: the smallest squeegee that can be found. But these can streak and smear too, so one needs vigilance in finding a high quality specimen. It also has to be small so as to follow the curvature of the windshield. Nevertheless, it’s awkward trying to use a squeegee inside a car. And it will leave some streaks. So I still to this day sit in my car in traffic and daydream of an instantaneously clean windshield without the need for acrobatics.
Product Information
| Price: | $9.99 |
| Manufacturer: | WindshieldWonder |
| Pros: |
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| Cons: |
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Did you wash the microfibre pad before you tried it? Those things when new are awful, but sometimes get totally better after a (or several!) washes. The “fuzz” gets to a better texture. I once has a mf cleaning cloth that sucked, til I washed it a couple times to give it away, and it started working perfectly!
Just something to try.
Maria
I was going to suggest the exact same thing, Maria.
I have several microfiber cloths I use to clean my camera lenses and etc. I have to wash them one, two, sometimes three times before the fuzz breaks down some and it becomes more absorbent.
Be sure to not use any fabric softener in the wash, and let them air dry. Many times these things (like dish towels) have a “film” on them from manufacturing, that is easily remedied with detergent.
Alternatively, you could wash them in a sink with a little bit of Tide and warm water.
Great – thanks for the tips. I really want this thing to work !
Where do I get the replacement pads? My husband loves the Windshield Wonder?
When I called to order one, they said a second unit would be free if I only paid the extra shipping and handling. I said I didn’t want the second one, but was informed that I had to take the second one (and pay the additional s/h!) They wouldn’t let me order just one, so I didn’t buy it!
Everyone, try washing the pads first… I know it says you can use tapwater, but I suggest using distilled water that you can buy at any grocery store. The results will be better, or at least mine were…
This device works great for me. I experimented with cleaning liquids & am pretty satisfied with 75% distilled water to 25% Windex.
I did the deal with using fabric softner in rinse cycle, sure takes a lot of rinses to get the greasy stuff out of microfiber.
( A friend uses 80 H2O to 20 white vinegar: it seems to work good also )
Where to get REPLACEMENT bonnets??? Maxx
I have been trying to find the website for replacement bonnets, too, but haven’t been successful. The old bonnets that I had were just too grimy and I didn’t want to keep trying to get them clean. Recently I found a very similar wand for cleaning windshields at the Dollar Tree store, and it will accomplish the same thing. Also, it saves me the problem of having to pay postage and handling. My new windshield washing wand was $1.00, of course. This could be the answer for you.
Read my last paragraph 1st.
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I ‘ASSUME’ when you use wadded newspaper you flip it around for cleaner edges. The SAME THING is needed with cloth bonnets. That is what I do & have no issues…just clean glass & done much easier than elbow grease.
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With that said, the writer of this article must be a HATER & not a common sense person.