Preparing for winter II

lushlifesaver

All this talk of draught excluders has reminded me that something needs doing about the door in the little hallway of the extension. We don't use it but when the council replaced the front windows and doors they left it out (our house is an odd shape and you see that side of the house along with the front of the house) and it's terribly draughty so much so I'm sure the door itself moves when it's windy. I'll have to look in to that.
Also the window in my room was the only one not replaced with double glazing so does the bubblewrap work? or is there another way I can warm up my little shoebox?

nicki_2

Cheapskate wrote: »

Also need to make or buy a blind or curtain for my bathroom window - it's always freezing in there and we need something to stop the draughts - not pleasant when you get out of a nice warm bath to be met by a howling gale! :eek:

I had this problem in my bathroom. I made a blind out of an old towel, some ribbon (so it can be tied up), a garden cane, and some hooks. Because its made from a towel I can take it down and wash it almost every week if I need to. I even managed to make it from an old towel that co-ordinated with my lovely (!) avocadoo bathroom suite as it was cream with a green flower embroidered on it

Of course this only works if your bathroom window is small enough to be covered up by a towel :rotfl:

freudianslip

bubblewrap does work! I did it last year on the toilet windows and landing. An eyesaw and I became the butt of the joke but you hold your hand up against a window covered in bubblewrap and you'll feel nothing, hold it up against a bare window, even double glazing, you'll feel a chill. I plan to bubblewrap again this year, just those smaller windows in colder rooms.

My children's bedroom have proper thermal linings as of last month (had ikea 99p blankes up last year) but I might even put the fleeces up again too.

I too worry about the rising cost of gas, I am building my cupboard with car boot and charity shop blanket finds along with fleeces I can pick up cheap. I got a huge handmade quilted throw for £1.50 at car boot, very old fashioned but it will spread over my children's knees on the sofa after school.

All snug.

I have ordered the wool (yarns4less) to make the hats, scarfs gloves for school (I crochet)

I need hot water bottles for DH and I, the children have them.

I need to make draught excluder for front door.

It's supposed to be warm today but it's cold, very windy and over cast. Not happy but it makes you realise that autumn is never far away (depressing thought!!!)

muffin_man_7

Cheapskate wrote: »

I've read through a chunk of the thread, older and newer posts, and am motivated to start already, even though it's only 1 June! (I'm also starting my Chr*****s lists this week, shh...!):eek::D

I've got a spare plastic storage box which I'm going to fill with matches, candles and a few holders and a couple of torches this week. We had a few power cuts last winter, very short-lived ones, but as cuts are rare here I've got my pessimist head on and am going to be prepared anyway!

We're doing a massive de-clutter this week and next, so will have more space to store non-perishables in plastic boxes - garage, wardrobes etc. There are tons of outgrown and holey socks that I'm going to use to stuff a draught excluder for one external door. One door tends to let the rain in underneath when it's windy, so that draught excluder's going to be made of an old bath towel, stuffed with old socks, so it can be washed and tumble dried and doesn't get all manky.

Also need to make or buy a blind or curtain for my bathroom window - it's always freezing in there and we need something to stop the draughts - not pleasant when you get out of a nice warm bath to be met by a howling gale! :eek:

After all this cold-weather talk it's nice and sunny now! :j

A xo

Cheapskate sounds like you need a weatherboard on that door and if you've already got one then it isn't doing it's job cos it's supposed to stop rain getting in an old towel rolledup against door is just as good as a draught excluder and easier to wash and dry

regarding bathroom window if your draught is low down by the windowsil try rolling up a towel and putting it against the window also 2 big cup hooks an old broom handle( i've got them on all my door frames and hang washing on them on rainy days) and a shower curtain up at that bathroom window is a cheap fixand you can put a n old towel or fleece blanket behind it and it won't get wet hope this helps it's no fun getting hit by a cold draught when your all wet

jamanda

If anyone is interested I nipped into Poundstretcher the other day and picked up one of those double sided draft excluder things for the bottom of the door (slide along with the door when opening and closing). It was marked down to £3. I know you can make them cheaper, but it might help someone.

(So in May I bought two fleeces and a draught excluder - roll on summer)

Kitchenbunny

My spreadsheet is now up and running, and inventories are the next step. Thanks for the tip about the double sided draught excluder, Jamanda - I shall pop in tomorrow and see if there are any in my local one. Always worth a check.

So, as of June 1st (today) I'm putting aside an extra £ a day to help towards fuel bills. Also thinking of seeing what final end of sale stock places like Millets have in terms of fleeces and thick socks/walking boots. It's been relatively sunny today, but I am a winter person and love the colder weather really.

Cheapskate - I'm in the same boat with regards to making a small curtain for the bathroom. I need a second for a similar sized window in the kitchen. I came up with the idea of just attaching some hooks into the batten along the top of the window and hanging something like this: and just using one curtain for each of the kitchen and bathroom. We did something similar with the front door - buying a pair of ready made curtains cheaply and using one each at the kitchen and front doors for an extra layer of insulation. Might try the charity shops.

KB xx

ginnyknit

Thank you Nicki you have just solved the problem of Ds's bathroom window, perfect idea. Im going to help her draughtproof her new house over the next few weeks, got her quite organised last year but the old house was a hell hole. this new house is much better but has a few places in need of layers. Saw a chap coming out of Dunelm today with about 8 carrier bags so am wondering if they are having a sale?

cheapskate - we will both be in the dog house, I mentioned the 'c' word on another thread (christmas that is ) and Im hoping no one bans me :rotfl:

natlie

Hi
Yes Dunelm are having a sale - its good too! picked up great cleaning stuff - microfibre mops and dusters etc.

ARGH! Winter I am not prepared for summer yet. Well partially. I need to get a jam kit from Dunelm - also in sale and I need to save up jars for pickling and chutneys from my veg patch - my mum used to make awesome runner bean chutney - will have to get recipe. Those will all go towards winter.

I like the bubble wrap idea too.

We got draft excluders for £3.99 in Dunelm last year they are great.

Nat
x

mardatha

Somebody tell me to get on with knitting socks for the winter. I canny be bothered

CH27

mardatha wrote: »

Somebody tell me to get on with knitting socks for the winter. I canny be bothered

Get started you lazy moo:rotfl::rotfl: