CarPlan Fragranced Screenwash

Price: £1.99 (one litre)
Contact: 0161 764 5981, www.carplan.co.uk

You should always keep your screenwash topped up to stay safe on the road. But most of the products on sale have an unpleasant chemical smell. So CarPlan’s all-new Fragranced Screenwash aims to be a breath of fresh air.

The firm has replaced the overpowering odour of alcohol with a fruity aroma. There are orange and apple versions available, and we topped up with the former.

First impressions weren’t great, as there’s no handle on the bottle, to help with pouring. Plus, it could do with a measuring cap toget the right 1:10 balance of screenwash and water recommended for summer, or the 1:4 ratio for winter. You’re left to guess.

In use, the screenwash smells sweet, but it’s just as effective as ever, removing bugs and not smearing with the windscreen wiper blades.

We like the price, too – a litre of the CarPlan formula is £1.99. That’s marginally more than our current favourite, from Halfords, but this is still a decent choice.

Verdict

Rating: ★★★
What is it?
Not just another screenwash. This one smells of oranges, not chemicals...
Problems?
Could be easier to use: not ready diluted, and bottle doesn’t have a pouring handle or markings to work out strength.
Why buy?
Effective, and has a competitive price, while there’s no unpleasant chemical smell.