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Preparing for Winter

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  • rosieben
    rosieben Posts: 5,010 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I found an old, but goodish, single size fleece blanket in my ac. Cut a slit in it for my head to go through, and now have a really warm and comfy poncho! when its time to snuggle up for the evening its wonderful, keeps my back lovely and warm. got the idea off a website somewhere so I cant take the credit. I WILL not turn on my heating until my fingers turn blue!!!! :rotfl:

    I'll maybe put some edging tape round the opening when I get some - might use thick ribbon or bias or something but no need to really, fleece is great for projects like this as it doesnt need hemming!!!!:T
    ... don't throw the string away. You always need string! :D

    C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener
  • Pooky
    Pooky Posts: 7,023 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    rosieben wrote: »
    I found an old, but goodish, single size fleece blanket in my ac. Cut a slit in it for my head to go through, and now have a really warm and comfy poncho! when its time to snuggle up for the evening its wonderful, keeps my back lovely and warm. got the idea off a website somewhere so I cant take the credit. I WILL not turn on my heating until my fingers turn blue!!!! :rotfl:

    I'll maybe put some edging tape round the opening when I get some - might use thick ribbon or bias or something but no need to really, fleece is great for projects like this as it doesnt need hemming!!!!:T

    Ohh what a great idea - I got 2 new fleece blankets in Ikea last time I went - £1.49 each and they're huge - not sure DH will want to wear one but I'm sure DD's will happily snuggle in them.

    As for door curtains etc - I made some cheap ones one year in a very drafty flat but using a flat sheet as my main fabric - can match your colour scheme and cheap as chips and backed it with old bath towles as a lining - made it thick and heavy enough to do it's job and looked good too.
    "Start every day off with a smile and get it over with" - W. C. Field.
  • shell2001
    shell2001 Posts: 1,817 Forumite
    We have a porch extention on our house which the previous owners erected but they removed the original front door and put an archway in its place so hall is open straight into porch. I have notice a draft coming through the last couple of days, despite the double glazing.

    Action plan - have just used an old extending spring pole and a pair of old curtains (from 3 house moves ago). Have done curtains back to back so patterned either side and thought using the 2 would provide extra warmth. I was going to Freecycle the extending poles (glad DH talked me out of it now). So problem sorted for free!

    Result
  • rosieben
    rosieben Posts: 5,010 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    pnq06 wrote: »
    Ok so apart from the ideas I have mentioned can anyone recommend anything else for me or elaborate on the ideas I have? ...

    I think you need good curtains at all windows and the front door. I was wondering about using cheap duvets for linings? they might work out cheaper than black out lining or whatever? there was a cheapie shop in a town near me that was selling doubles for £6.99 last year. you could then get away with some plain thin sheeting (maybe charity shop?) for the actual curtains.

    I would ditto the suggestion that you put plenty of rugs down; rugs always make a place feel cosier anyway and if there are hard floors in your hallway it will make it much warmer.

    let us know how you get on
    ... don't throw the string away. You always need string! :D

    C.R.A.P.R.O.L.L.Z Head Sharpener
  • gemmaj
    gemmaj Posts: 434 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I know that turning your boiler down a couple of degrees can mean a big saving, but we have a Vaillant instant boiler. It doesn't say what temperature it is on. There is one dial numbered 1 to 9 which presumably means water and heating will be at the same temperature. Does anybody know what these number equate to and/or what number would be the best to put it on? Thanks in advance.
    Hi Justamum, I have a water heater also with a dial 1 to 9. I never managed to figure out how to turn the temperature of the water down, so I'm afraid I can't help, but I'd be interested if you manage to find out!
    My hot water comes out scalding hot so I reckon it must cost me a bit - you could make tea with it!!
  • pnq06
    pnq06 Posts: 1,140 Forumite
    Thanks for all the replies and suggestions... Hopefully kethry (an absolute angel) may be able to help out with the curtains to go across the stairs....

    Yategirl- I think the £10 rugs in ikea are the huge (look huge in my house!) ones I have under bubs cot and in my living room :D In fact I was kicking myself for not picking any more up cos they fit perfectly in the downstairs hall!!! I feel a shopping trip coming on ;)

    Rosiben thats a great idea about the duvets for lining- would definately work for the front door- in fact even if I do find a cheap door curtain I may still line it with a duvet :j

    Can you get fleece linings for cribs? (bigger than a moses basket not as big as a cot).
  • razra
    razra Posts: 336 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    gemmaj wrote: »
    Hi Justamum, I have a water heater also with a dial 1 to 9. I never managed to figure out how to turn the temperature of the water down, so I'm afraid I can't help, but I'd be interested if you manage to find out!
    My hot water comes out scalding hot so I reckon it must cost me a bit - you could make tea with it!!

    Do you have a hot water tank in your airing cupboard?? If so try looking on that. Thats where my temp dial is :) its actually attached to the tank
    June Grocery Challenge 270.80/250July Grocery Challenge 0/300
  • LJM
    LJM Posts: 4,535 Forumite
    i already have the bottom sheets from morrisons for all our beds they are so cosy and warm,will start stocking up on my meats for freezers for stews yummy,its just a matter of changing over duvets,and stocking up the food cupboards plus check my central heating works ok
    :xmastree:Is loving life right now,yes I am a soppy fool who believes in the simple things in life :xmastree:
  • knithappens
    knithappens Posts: 1,850 Forumite
    must read this thread fro begining to end, I am already getting ready for Christmas, so may as well start heat proofing the house now too.
  • taplady
    taplady Posts: 7,184 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    This must count as preparing for winter!;) today I have been charity shopping and bought virtually my entire winter wardrobe for about 30 quid!:money: I have got 3 pairs of jeans, 2 jumpers, 1 hoodie and 1 rugby shirt and they are good makes too - Next, River Island and Monsoon so I am really chuffed when I would once have spent that much on 1 pair of jeans!:D
    Do what you love :happyhear
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