Cleaning Windshield Wipers
I always use a clean shop rag or a strong paper towel soaked in isopropyl rubbing alcohol, wipe that wiper down repeatedly and keep turning the cloth, when it stops turning your wipe black it is clean (oh boy this really restores it GOOD).
Frugal Windshield Repair?
Yeah, get a used windshield installed and everything for like 1-200, Ive done this at least once and even thou its used I could never tell.