How to Make Cold Bedsit Warm (eg. Curtains)?

dogstarheaven

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Can you feel drafts between the windows and frames?yes, v. cold it was too

If so, and there may be gaps here - try stuffing these with cling film (it's fab stuff!;)) - tear a strip off, roll so it's a long sausage and stuff into the gaps (a blunt knife/object can help get it in really tight).that sounds like a good trick - thanks!

For the bedroom - you really don't need this warm as you really only sleep in there! it's a bedsit - a bed and kitchenette in one 10' x 7' room and a little bathroom

To make it warm enough to sleep, she could get another duvet and put it on top of the mattress (underneath her), then have a blanket (these are much under-rated now but really warm) on top of her with another duvet on top (and extra blanket if needed). HTH

will bring down another duvet for her. her mattress needs replacing too but will worry about that later - thanks

Molly41 wrote: »

Bubble wrap works a treat for windows and stuffed in cracks. Chexk out the cupboards in the kitchen - I found lots of drafts and stuffed them with bubble wrap.

probably line the windows with bubble wrap instead.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Is it very damp?i can't tell. the walls look ok. there's condensation in the mornings but no more than the average house will have
(and make sure she dries her clothes outside/at the launderette if this is the case)she's yet to do any laundry and will prob use the laundrette down the road for wash n' dry

dogstarheaven

bean55 wrote: »

When living in an unheated house a few years back I tried the cling film "double glazing" on a couple of occasions and to be honest it wasn't much good. A above, will try to bubble-wrap it instead

You have a 1.5kw but if that's the sole source of heat it's probably not enough. Either get another one to have on with it or go for a 2.5kw if possible. They really chuck out some heat and aren't too expensive to run if you get one fitted with a thermostat. Couple it with a timer plug and it should be ideal for that size of room

as above, have bought her a small 3kw fan heater which is quite good but will only be used in conjunction with the 1.5kw oil rad. in short bursts. both heaters have thermostats but no timers, i'm afraid

Eliza_2

For windows I've made window quilts except that mine aren't that pretty. I use the underlay panels that you put under laminate floors, cut to size of the window and it props up really well behind the curtains (tuck it under curtain rail and draw curtains over it to hold it in place, it's pretty rigid so works well)

If you're crafty or can be bothered, then cover them with pretty fabric. I did once but can't be bothered now. Easy to take down in the morning, fold away and let fresh air in. Makes an absolutely huge amount of difference, especially as my bed is very close to a single glazed north facing window!

Get timer plugs for the heaters, I have several for various things.

Be careful about condensation though, if the air is damp you can feel cold however many heaters you use, make sure it's aired well. In fact a dehumidifier is apparently quite good for keeping the chill off, no idea on that as I loaned mine to a friend and have never seen it again sadly!!!

Good luck though, it's miserable to live in a freezing house.

dogstarheaven

no, I'm not in the least crafty (although, i do own a sewing machine but stopped using one 15 years ago and lost all the basic knowledge i had!) so i'm grateful that a suggestion was made about using saftety pins to tack the fleece to the curtains!

i shall get a timer for the oil rad. thanks.

how would i gauge if there's dampness in the walls and going by the condensation in the windows in the mornings? i shall advise daughter about aeration, but doubt she'll listen to me though about opening her windows! are their small but effective dehumidifiers available on the market (remember, she's in a 10' x 7' approx. bedsit!)

sandraroffey

is her place rented???if so, its a requirement now that landlords make the place 'heat proof' isnt it?? roof and wall insulation. windows that are draught proof (although a couple of rolls of that window draught proofing wont cost much).

in cold like we are told is coming, getting the place damp could be a problem. as said before: double layer curtains, if there is a bay or the curtain are a distance from the windows, put another set against the windows. and clingfilm does work. used that for many winters before. but you need a strong tape, to tape it to the window frames, which must be perfectly dry.

put a thin quilt/duvet/thick blanket, UNDER the bottom sheet in the bed. hot water bottles work brilliantly. blankets under you and on you if you are sitting. ive crocheted wooly cushion covers as well, leaning back on a wooly cushion cover really makes you warm.

thick blankets/throws/curtains over all the doors, not just the main front door. anything thick across the bottoms of the doors.

when my windows were very draughty, i used to shove loo roll (it squashed flat beautifully) in all the gaps in the windows. need to use a very thin knife and its very basic, but hell, it works.

good luck. winter is on its way!!!!!!!

marmiterulesok

She should speak to the landlord about the draughty windows.That doesn't sound like double glazing to me!Stuffing any cracks/gaps with mashed up cling film is a good idea.

Wearing layers is a good idea.Silk keeps you cool in summer and toasty warm in winter.Also silk clothing is usually not bulky,so if she has a silk top or blouse,wearing that under a jumper will keep her warm.

Also I would advise wearing two pairs of socks-if you have cold feet,everything else feels cold!Wool mix knee socks are great,then I put on some fleecy/woollen ankle socks.You can find these at H & M for a reasonable price.

Flannelette sheets and fitted sheets are great in bed.I also put a fleece blanket under the fitted sheet.It makes a big difference.Also having two duvets/double duvet and a woollen blanket.

I also suggest checking out the humidity levels in the flat.You can get little devices that show the room temperature and humidity levels.I think they're called hygrometres in English.They're cheap to buy.I think you'd find them in any DIY or hardwear store.I like to keep it at 40-45% humidity and use a dehumidifier.It's made a big difference.If there's a lot of moisture in the air,I think that the heating will be less efficient.I can't advise on dehumidifiers in the UK,as I live abroad.Hopefully someone else can help.

Putting down a rug or two is also a good idea.

HTH.

marmiterulesok

I forgot to say that I tried bubble wrap on my north-facing kitchen windows.I don't think it helped,as the wall below was often wet with moisture and I started getting some areas of mould showing,even though the kitchen is regularly aired well.I do open the window or put on the extractor fan when cooking.

I'm not convinced about the benefits of bubble wrap.

Butterfly_Brain

Halogen Heaters are very good and not too expensive to run
http://www.halogen-heaters.co.uk/

empressemma

Don't buy the silicone spray for the curtain rail, use cheap furniture polish instead!! Keep it MSE!!!

(and this is from a well seasoned curtain fitter!!!)

dogstarheaven

marmiterulesok wrote: »

I'm not convinced about the benefits of bubble wrap.

anyone else can add to this?

marmiterulesok wrote: »

She should speak to the landlord about the draughty windows.That doesn't sound like double glazing to me!well's it's london and LL /letting agency are useless

Wearing layers is a good idea.Silk keeps you cool in summer and toasty warm in winter.Also silk clothing is usually not bulky,so if she has a silk top or blouse,wearing that under a jumper will keep her warm.
Also I would advise wearing two pairs of socksshe's 21 so she's still at that age where fashion is more important than being practical!:(
Flannelette sheets and fitted sheets are great in bed.I also put a fleece blanket under the fitted sheet.roger that!i have flannel sheets (Land's End, US brand - v. warm)
you can get little devices that show the room temperature and humidity levels.I think they're called hygrometres in English.They're cheap to buy.I think you'd find them in any DIY or hardwear store.i'll look out for these
Putting down a rug or two is also a good idea.
gonna buy a cheap one
HTH.

sandraroffey wrote: »

is her place rented???if so, its a requirement now that landlords make the place 'heat proof' isnt it?? roof and wall insulation. windows that are draught proof (although a couple of rolls of that window draught proofing wont cost much).see above. is that the law, sandraroffey?
and clingfilm does work. used that for many winters before. but you need a strong tape, to tape it to the window frames, which must be perfectly dry.

what kind of tape do i use - masking/duct/cellotape? as it's UPVC double glazed window frame, i wouldn't want any residual glue or tape left behind once the warm weather comes