Wiper Blade Aftercare Guide

Keep your Vipa Car Parts wiper blades performing at their best with these quick care tips. A few minutes of routine maintenance improves visibility, extends blade life, and saves you money.

How Often Should I Maintain My Wipers?

• Quick clean: every 2–4 weeks (or after long drives).
  
• Deep clean: every 2–3 months.
  
• Replace: typically every 6–12 months, sooner if you notice streaks, squeaks, or missed areas.
  

Fast 2-Minute Clean (No Tools Needed)

1. Lift the wiper arm away from the windscreen.
   
2. Wipe the rubber edge with a soft, damp microfiber cloth.
   
3. For stubborn film, use a little mild soap (no solvents) and rinse.
   
4. Finish with a dry cloth and gently lower the blade.
   

Tip: Clean the windscreen too. Road film and wax build-up make new blades smear.

Deep Clean Method (When Smearing Persists)

• Mix warm water with a drop of mild detergent.
  
• Clean the blade, pivot points, and windscreen.
  
• Use isopropyl alcohol on a cloth for the final pass along the rubber edge.
  
• Check spring tension and that the blade sits flat against the glass.
  

Do & Don’t (To Maximise Blade Life)

Do

• Park with the screen ice-free before switching wipers on.
  
• Use washer fluid (not plain water) to cut grease and prevent freezing.
  
• Keep the nozzles clear (including spray-jet systems).
  

Don’t

• Don’t use wipers to scrape ice or heavy frost.
  
• Don’t use petrol, strong solvents, or glass polish on the rubber.
  
• Don’t bend the wiper arm or twist the blade frame.
  

Seasonal Care

• Winter: De-ice first, then use wipers. Consider heated wiper blades if you drive in frequent frost.
  
• Spring/Summer: Remove pollen and bug residue promptly; they harden on the rubber.
  
• Autumn: Clear leaves/grit from the scuttle so debris doesn’t score the glass or rubber.
  

Signs It’s Time to Replace

• Streaks or missed patches
  
• Juddering/squeaking even after cleaning
  
• Nicks, cracks, or a hardened rubber edge
  
• The blade doesn’t sit flush with the screen
  

When it’s time, use our Find My Wiper reg-lookup to get the exact fit for your vehicle in seconds.

Troubleshooting

• Smearing after cleaning: Check you’re using proper washer fluid; decontaminate the glass with alcohol.
  
• Juddering: Often glass contamination or worn rubber; clean both surfaces, then reassess.
  
• Poor contact on one side: Verify arm spring tension and that the adapter is clipped fully home.
  

Care for Heated & Spray-Jet Wipers

• Clean as above; avoid pulling on heater wires or spray lines.
  
• In freezing weather, let the heater/defroster warm the screen before wiping.
  
• Keep nozzles and hoses clear; use winter-grade washer fluid to prevent ice blockages.
  

Safe Storage & Washing

• At hand-wash or valet, ask them not to blast the rubber edge with a pressure washer.
  
• If storing spare blades, keep them flat, away from heat and direct sunlight.
  

Need New Blades?

Enter your registration in Find My Wiper to see compatible standard, aero, heated, and spray-jet options with free UK delivery.