Preparing for winter IV

pollys

Kittie - I filled our hot water bottle for my son (he has a stiff neck) and I was thinking that they are now a lot smaller than they use to be. We only have one so I'm going to buy more at half term. Thinking about it I'm going to have a very busy half term. That's when I plan on doing a lot of winter prepping.

I also like to Autumn clean, not a major clean but as I put summer clothes away and get the throws out I clean cupboards as I go. I also sort out the food cupboards etc

The scaffolding is now up. The roof should be done next week, weather permitting.

I love this thread, so many practical tips and helpful folk. Thank you all contributors.

Polly

Mrs_Cheshire

Hi all, came over from the frugal living challenge to see if you all had some tips for me.
Live in a rented house which still has single glazing, this year have hung curtains at the front and back doors in a bid to keep out the draughts, need to get some thermal/fleece linings to back them with.
I've also been reading about foil behind radiators that are on outside walls. Anyone have any recommendations on what to buy/homemade alternatives?

Rummer

My winter boots are in being re-heeled, I would love a different style however they are good quality and in great condition so keeping them and tucking money away for new ones maybe in the sales.

Our heating breaks with monotonous regularity even though it is a new boiler so we have our camping sleeping bags and hot water bottles easily accessible incase we need them.

Everyone has snuggly waterproof clothes and I have aired the scarves and hats as well as crocheting a few new ones

I need to check the medicine cabinet to make sure we have all the essentials and I have to top up the key cupboard items too. The salt for the path and snow shovel are close to hand and I am going to get the in car kit organised this weekend. One other thing I need is all the extra animal food and bedding so they don't go hungry if the weather turns.

[Deleted User]

A hot wash is on and will be ready by 8. Hard to get washing dry at the moment so I needed to do a bit of forward planning. Stripped beds yesterday, so the duvet covers can go out, no hope of even starting the rest as more rain is forecast later. I have lots of line options these days and I revert to the line cassette from now to spring, I think the straight lines dry better than the whirly thing and every bit of breeze counts at this time of year

I just bought a few more torches, they are wonderful and cost £1.78, you do have to use a good AA battery but so so cheap. I bought some last year and just bought another 3 as they are so useful to have all over the house. By cree from amazon and amazingly free p and p. Last years are still good btw

Go to amazon and enter CREE

CH27

I always do an autumn clean.
I put away all the summer stuff, clean everywhere & get the winter throws etc out.

dingdongsaving

I'm so glad it's not just me that enjoys a clean & clear out as the colder months come. Hubby always thinks I'm mad!

I really enjoy the warmer months and beach picnics, BBQs and long days out & gardening, but I also love snuggling under blankets , hot chocolate/milky coffees :coffee:, chilly walks, movies and games with the family, candles, meals in with friends and family & lots of new recipes to try. All of the extra time indoors definitely warrants a little clean out for us. Plus, I think if we only did a really deep clean/clear out once a year we'd never stay on top of the clutter & clothing turnover of small people! :rotfl: ).

Vala-Mal-Doran

Hi all,
I am off recovering from surgery and working my way through the OS boards making a to do list for when I am better

Can I ask re:thermal curtains/linings, would these be better than fleece lining my thin curtains? I did this last year but oh wants some new curtains sometime soon so im wondering if thermal lined is worth the investment?

nursemaggie

Thermal linings are not the most expensive curtains so I think they are worth it. I am hoping they will not fade so much. I have a cream pair of curtains that have had it been in the sun in a south facing window for just over 4 years and they have had it. Also a brown pair that are cream and brown stripes. Going to use those back to back over the archway into my kitchen. Was living in one of the three places that all claim to have the most sun in Britain. If my curtains are anything to go buy I think it was the sunniest.

I bought some of those things to go behind radiators quite a few years ago. So far we are on the third house since then and I have not been able to use them as in each house the widow sills jut out above the rads. Think maybe foil glued to cardboard would be better but in this house the rads a a bit near the sills. Don't think I can do it.

I bought the torches kittie, I would change the link kittie it goes to your account. I did not notice until it refused my password.

[Deleted User]

I wonder if modern dyes and modern fabrics are more prone to fading in sunlight than those we had back in the 50s and 60s? I don't remember faded curtains when I was growing up and presumably most curtains were made from heavy cotton or linen.

[Deleted User]

nursemaggie wrote: »

I bought the torches kittie, I would change the link kittie it goes to your account. I did not notice until it refused my password.

Thank you so much. I have deleted it and just put the torch name in

I have been carried away with jobs today. Got 2 washes out and almost dry, so now on the big lakeland heated airer. Made an enormous winter parkin from 500g of SR and 500g of oatmeal, in a big roasting tin. Given my dishwasher a very good clean, arghh I have to confess to not ever sliding my hand under the door. Gulp hangs head but I never thought about it and just ever gave it the normal door, sides, top, seal and filter clean. It took 3 cloths and loads of bleachy water. omg I can just imagine how some dishwashers must look. Am now doing an empty wash with vinegar and will do another later with sprinkled bicarb.

No more winter preps to report, except for going through my torches and battery supply. I tested several batteries and then charged the chargeables, I am glad I looked as I have enough for winter and was going to get some this weekend. I have freeplay lanterns and charged them but they no longer seem to hold charge for long enough, a waste of money if I am honest. Torches and batteries are better