Preparing for winter IV

SuiDreams

It will be interesting to see how much gas/electric I use this winter compared to previous years. Home situation has changed since last winter, plus all home improvements I've done, new windows/doors and loft insultaion improved, plus being a lot more organised.

Think I need to rethink the drying washing process for the winter had heating on and dehumidifier on all day yesterday and some things still didn't dry (cardigans), so back to the drawing board.

dragonette

SuiDreams, it might be a case of adjusting the time you hope things will dry in, sadly. I don't have heating and allow 2 days for washing to dry inside my flat with the kitchen window open and the door tightly shut.

Its annoying but it works

SuiDreams

dragonette wrote: »

SuiDreams, it might be a case of adjusting the time you hope things will dry in, sadly. I don't have heating and allow 2 days for washing to dry inside my flat with the kitchen window open and the door tightly shut.

Its annoying but it works

I do worry about things not drying properly and having to be rewashed how do you avoid this happening?

Confuzzled

kitschy wrote: »

I recommend the cheap versions of Ugg boots - keep you toasty warm up to mid calf and have a grippy sole (I'm clumsy going down the stairs so it's a must). I've had the same pair for three years and I bought them for £1 at a car boot. Wash them once a month, and rejuvenated the flattened 'fur' on the sole with some of those fluffy thermal insoles from Lidl last year. Total cost about 66p a year for toasty feet :-)

has anyone ever seen ugg style boots in larger sizes?

i'm a size 8 but i find that the ugg style runs a size smaller and 8 is the largest i've ever seen, i had some but had to give them to my daughter (a few years ago) she was a 6 then and they fit her quite well, she's a size 10 now so no more chance of that happening :rotfl:


i'd love to give those a go, especially for trips down the concrete close stairs but my big feet won't allow it

Confuzzled

SuiDreams wrote: »

I've had a little thought about improving the comfort factor in the living room/dining room. I have laminate every where downstairs, I am thinking of getting a big rug for the living room to make it feel more cosy, but in the meantime I'm thinking of using my old throws (which need throwing out) to cover some of the cold laminate on an evening/overnight (and taking them up if I have visitors etc). Do you think this will help to reduce some of the heatloss through the floor? The laminate can get pretty cold. I will leave some parts uncovered as the dogs seem to like lying on the cold floor.

it probably will help but you'll need to either tape it down or put some non stick stuff at the edges because you'll likely slip on it and hurt yourself if you don't

Confuzzled

SuiDreams wrote: »

Think I need to rethink the drying washing process for the winter had heating on and dehumidifier on all day yesterday and some things still didn't dry (cardigans), so back to the drawing board.

for clothes it's worth putting them through a second spin cycle to reduce the amount of water, it makes a big difference to drying times, i started doing that last year and it was a big help. this year i'm in an unfurnished flat so i had to buy my own washing machine and i waited 3 weeks just to get the one i wanted with a 1500 rpm spin (vs a 1200 rpm for the same price available at that moment) and it's been well worth it, my old one was 1200 and i can tell a big difference just between the two.

also some people put a large bowl of salt under the airer and this helps soak up a lot of mositure, the sale doesn't need to be replaced til the water is floating on the top (works for windows too with smaller bowls of course)

noodles86

Confuzzled wrote: »

has anyone ever seen ugg style boots in larger sizes?

i'm a size 8 but i find that the ugg style runs a size smaller and 8 is the largest i've ever seen, i had some but had to give them to my daughter (a few years ago) she was a 6 then and they fit her quite well, she's a size 10 now so no more chance of that happening :rotfl:


i'd love to give those a go, especially for trips down the concrete close stairs but my big feet won't allow it

Next do a generous size 8, I'm an 8 and they fit great, I got some in last years xmas sale

SuiDreams

I'll try drying another load inside (as it doesn't look like we'll be having any rain free days anytime soon). I will try the second spin, but some items will need to be spun on low instead of high.

Scuff

Brrr I really noticed that the temperature had dropped this morning when I found myself standing under the shower water after I'd done washing for no reason other than to defrost. The slippers have come out too (although I'm happy about this, love my slippers but they annoy me most of the year when my feet get burning hot!)
Getting on quite well with the preps, all thanks to this thread! OH thinks I've gone nuts and rolls his eyes every time I mention anything related. I've told him if he laughs at me one more time I'm going to take the emergency box (when it's finished) out of the car if I'm not in it. He'll be sorry!

This week I need to:
- Finish blind for bedroom (made from old fleece blanket and duvet cover!)
- Find what I did with my de icer
- Tidy out and hoover/clean the inside of the car (this may help with the above)
- Gather some bits for the car box. I know there are spare gloves etc around the flat, it's just a case of putting them in the car.

Did a lovely deep clean of the flat too this weekend - it's amazing how that's given me a push again to get on with it!

dragonette

SuiDreams wrote: »

I do worry about things not drying properly and having to be rewashed how do you avoid this happening?

2 large open windows and morning sun blazes in additionally, how you spread items on the airer makes a huge difference. I put underwear and socks on the bottom rungs, tshirts in the middle and jeans/work trousers from the top fangling over the edge. As I don't have heat under mine, I try to maximise air flow and never cover the airer. I also have the airer sitting at an angle so the sun and breeze are dispersed between the clothes.

In my experience, it takes a day most of the year and 2 in winter. My clothes have never smelled musty or mildewy from it (and I hope that continues!). Moving items round and pulling off thin/small items once they are dry helps the big heavy stuff dry quicker too.

HTH