Preparing for winter IV

jim-jim

Hello again,

Pop into Wilkinsons today and found reflective survival blankets, half price now a Pound each.
I'm going to try and copy the idea of making radiator reflective thingys.

Sorry but I've forgot to look at your name before typing!! but you will know who you are.

Scuff

Hello I've been following this thread for a while (I think I may have de-lurked at one point to ask advice) anyway I'm back again with another question! I have those electric convection heaters (that look a bit like storage heaters but we aren't on E7) and was wondering if anyone knows whether it's safe to do the whole foil behind them thing? Cos the gap between them and the wall is less than a standard radiator, but as our flat is all electric (and these heaters are blummin expensive to run!) I want to conserve as much heat as poss! TIA x

Vala-Mal-Doran

Hello!
Delurking to say thankyou for all the wonderful tips on here!
You lot have Inspired me to learn to knit so I can make us some wooly blankets etc for the winter, my nan has kindly given me some duplicate needles to use and my mum has donated a few balls of wool and a crochet hook to get me going! :j
I did try to learn to knit when I was little but crochet was as far as I got, it will be a nice excuse to spend some time with my nan who is a genius knitter and I hope to learn some skills from her.

My mum has also offered some old fabric to be sewn up as a draught excluder as im currently using a stretchy trouser leg with some clothes in and bows on the end and it kept opening up last time we used it-il hopefully have a good one by the time it cools down again.

I also nabbed some cardboard from work to cover with tin foil for the one outside wall radiator in our house

I think OH thinks im losing it thinking about winter in this weather but he'll thank me later!

Im looking forward to an ikea trip soon to grab some cheap fleeces!:D

Please keep posting what you have been up to-no matter how small

Confuzzled

Vala-Mal-Doran wrote: »

I also nabbed some cardboard from work to cover with tin foil for the one outside wall radiator in our house

I think OH thinks im losing it thinking about winter in this weather but he'll thank me later!

my ex came by to see our daughter and i mentioned that my thumb has gone half numb from my recent adventures in energy saving (ie making the radiator reflectors, the heavy cardboard and scissors did a number on me) rather than chiding me he said 'oh , very clever, you'll bounce the heat off the reflectors and back into the room rather than having it sinking into the thermal mass of the stone.... i was pleasantly shocked, i guess he WAS paying attention, at least a bit, all those years :rotfl:

Confuzzled

well i'm happy to say that BOTH sides of my living room curtains are now properly fleece lined (as in sewed on vs safety pins) and hung up and i also did one side of the kitchen curtains last night whilst watching telly

i'll do the other one tonight, really part of me says i should wait for a colder night as i was far too warm under the fleece and curtain last night but something inside me is really really pestering me to hurry up and get these finished then move on to the bedroom curtains and finish the radiator reflectors

i'm also going to look out for an old telly on freegle or something, i had bought a cheap and cheerful (£20) pine unit for the telly/wi/sky/dvd player but it was ugly, really too big for where it was and the leg on one side was a bit dodgy. anyway i found a much smaller unit with better storage and taller, it means we'll have to move the desks etc around but it solves another problem in the lounge and for £40 i was quite pleased.

since i'm still short on storage in my bedroom and have plenty of space the old unit is upstairs. we rarely used our dvd player because we had to switch the sky scart plug for the dvd scart plug so i'm thinking if i can pick up a free or cheap telly i can just leave the dvd player upstairs, we have loads of movies and telly programmes we never even watched yet. the bedrooms are built into the eaves with about half of each one cozily tucked into them, they smartly put the radiators there too so it will sorta push the air down around the perfect spot for the bed and sitting etc. so, me and my daughter, snugged up in my cozy bed on a cold day/night watching movies etc sounds very very appealing.

dawn_rose

Hiya I have started with my preparing for winter to do list.

*Wash all downstairs and upstairs curtains (done)
*Sew up my gloves
*buy three hat and gloves sets one for each child.
*put linings on all curtains
*make double draught excluders
*buy flannelette sheets and pillowcases for all beds (done)
*buy a 15 tog duvet
*buy slipper boots for me
*buy fleeces for me
*stock up on medications
*buy three wheat bags

I have quite a bit to do, i just hope i manage to get it all done in time.

Do you think i could line curtains with emergency foil camping blankets?

Dawn

jem132

Hi all bought boys wellingtons and slippers yesterday and washed hets scalfs and gloves just need a few more pairs of gloves and a hat pluss wellys for me and all need winter coats.
I've painted my kitchen i still need to make curtains for for both doors and kitchen windows. I better make a start. Lol

Confuzzled

dawn_rose wrote: »

Do you think i could line curtains with emergency foil camping blankets?

Dawn

you can, i've done it BUT it's very noisy, loud and crinkly, we soon removed it. bubble wrap works, it's a bit bulkier and still a little noisy but not nearly so bad

personally i suggest lining with fleece or old wool blankets even thin old duvets, they are soft and don't make noise when you move them

MaddyWaddy

I apologise in advance for what could be a long post!

We have been doing quite a bit of DIY this weekend all in aid of winter prep :T Loft is in the process of being boarded out and we are thinking of an old carpet up there to add insulation.

We are decking out a storage cupboard and turning it into a very tiny walk in wardrobe (not enough room to get changed in there but floor to ceiling shelving for clothes and space to hang coats not in use). Will get some baskets for hats, scarves and gloves to keep all together.

Weather was perfect for getting the washing dry so all bedding is done - I have washed all spare duvets even though I am getting new. I do have a very think old one that is discoloured which will be going to the laundrette as soon as my new ones arrive (it won't fit in my washer ) I am looking into some indoor lines as I don't own a tumble dryer but need to be organised for the bad weather!

Jobs to do this week - Put the new shelving up, take up 3 pairs of curtains so the drape behind the radiators and not in front and finally a decent sized shop with additional baking items, toiletries and cupboard items.

I finally got a second hand freezer so will be putting that to use in next week or so.

Still need to organise:
Car box
Power Cut Box
Lining for curtains

Plus a lot more that I can't think of at the moment

shoei

I'v just been and collected a black bin bag full of pine cones to use a fire lighters... still loads left so will be going back for some more later in the week.