General Frozen open

[msT]

Couple of times now my doors have frozen in a way that the catch doesn't trigger so door stays open and windows won't open (even on one clear of frost and ice). Takes a good half hour to defrost my car.
It's my first winter driving, any tips to help speed this up or prevent it? I use de-icer but today even that froze! It was quite interesting, it turned instantly into little icey balls.
The corner seal of the drivers door is a bit warped, not entirely sure what to do with that, could that be letting more cold in making it worse?
I have a 2002 multipla.

 

[momoe]

I've had this too, the handle hinge (Small diameter rod holding two halves together) gets crud on it and eventually the spring isn't strong enough to pull the handle back.
I ended up taking the handle off (careful with the small white plastic actuating rod retainer), taking it apart, cleaning it up, greasing it and putting it back together.