How to Stop Noisy Wipers

by Heather Robson
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Thomas Hooke/Demand Media

Noisy windshield wipers are more than just an annoyance—they can quickly turn into a safety hazard. If the noise is too grating, you may choose to leave your windshield wipers off as much as possible, which can lead to reduced visibility. Often, the noise is due to the wipers not making proper contact with your windshield. Without proper contact, the wipers may not be able to clear water from the windshield, and that can also result in reduced visibility.

Step 1

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Determine the cause of windshield wiper noise. The most common causes are dirty wiper blades, corroded wiper blades, improperly installed wipers or poorly set tension at the wiper base.

Step 2

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Clean the wiper blades with warm water, baking soda, and liquid dishwashing soap. Mix the water, baking soda, and soap in a bucket or bowl. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and gently run the cloth along the blades. This may be all that is needed to quiet your wipers.

Step 3

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Check that the wiper blades are properly seated in the adapters at the base of the blades. If you recently replaced your blades and the noise began after the replacement, refer to the installation instructions that came with your wipers to see if you are using the correct adapters for the blades you installed. If not, you will need to change either the wipers or the adapters.

Step 4

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Adjust the wiper blade tension. To do this, bring the blades into a vertical position and stop them there. Gently pull one blade out from the windshield about two inches. Then release it, allowing it to spring back to the glass. Do this two or three times with each wiper to get the proper tension.

Step 5

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Replace worn, corroded or hardened wiper blades.

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