Potato-Based Anti-Frost Spray Developed by Taieri College Students Could Transform Winter Mornings

A group of innovative students from Taieri College in Mosgiel has developed a potato-based windscreen spray that could save motorists from scraping frost off their cars on freezing winter mornings. 

Four students from Taieri College have turned a common winter frustration into a business opportunity by creating a new anti-frost windscreen spray as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme. 

The students, who are competing in the nationwide programme that requires participants to create and operate a real business for a year, have named their invention Winter Warrior. Designed to prevent frost from forming on car windscreens overnight, the spray is currently undergoing final testing before its planned release.

Year 13 student and inventor Ollie Mcfelin said the idea emerged from firsthand experience with Mosgiel's notoriously cold winter mornings.

Ollie Mcfelin, Year 13 student at Taieri College and student inventor on the Winter Warrior project (Young Enterprise Scheme):

"Just horrible. You've got to scrape the ice. It takes ages, ten minutes, and you have to get up when you just want to stay in your bed."

Expert Advice Leads to Unusual Ingredient

One of the most surprising aspects of the product is its use of potatoes as a key ingredient.

While potatoes may seem an unlikely solution to frost-covered windscreens, Mcfelin said the team sought expert advice during the development process.

Ollie Mcfelin:

"We actually started emailing some professors from Otago University to see what their idea behind it would be, and they said that onion juices and potato juices would be our best bet."

According to the students, compounds found in potatoes and onions help repel moisture and prevent frost from settling on glass surfaces.

The spray is applied to a vehicle’s windscreen the night before. By morning, users should find their windscreen free from frost buildup.

Ollie Mcfelin:

"That sprays on clear and just completely wipes off in the morning. It’s fighting off the frost and just doesn’t let it sit."

Strong Community Support for the Product

As part of the Young Enterprise competition, the students were required to conduct market research and engage with potential customers.

Mcfelin said the feedback from local residents and business owners was overwhelmingly positive.

Ollie Mcfelin:

"One of our challenges for Young Enterprise was that we had to go out and talk to the public. We went into shops and talked to local business owners, and they thought it was a great idea."

He believes the product could be particularly appealing in Mosgiel, where frosty mornings are common and many residents would welcome an easier way to de-ice their vehicles. 

Mosgiel’s ageing population could also benefit from a product that eliminates the need for physically scraping ice from windscreens.

Final Testing Underway Before Launch

The students began developing Winter Warrior in March, before winter temperatures arrived, and have since been testing the product as conditions became colder.

Mcfelin said the spray has performed well so far, but the team remains focused on perfecting the formula before releasing it to customers.

Ollie Mcfelin:

"We’re not ready to put it out until it’s 100 percent perfect. We won’t stop until it’s done."

Although no official launch date has been announced, Mcfelin expects the product could be available within the next few weeks.

The team is also committed to maintaining environmentally responsible standards. Winter Warrior will be packaged in eco-friendly bottles, a factor that contributes to the product’s estimated retail price of around $20 for a 300ml bottle. 

According to Mcfelin, each application requires only three or four sprays per windscreen, meaning a single bottle should last for numerous uses throughout the winter season. 

With testing nearing completion and local interest growing, the young entrepreneurs hope their innovative potato-powered solution will make frosty mornings a little easier for motorists across New Zealand.