Preparing for Winter

nicki_2

Welshwoofs wrote: »

Just measure up the width and drop of your doors and trawl Ebay for vintage velvet curtains (vintage velvet is much heavier than modern stuff!). You don't need to worry if the width of the curtains is far bigger than your door, just look at the drop. You want the curtains to reach to the floor!

Don't bother about searching for door curtains specifically, a decent pair of window curtains and you've got two doors covered!

I got a really heavy, lined pair of vintage velvet curtains for £14 on Ebay which will be going up over my front and back door. They're bright red but what the hell, they'll keep the draughts out!.

This is what I've done! my ex-MIL gave ex and I some heavy velvet curtains that she used to have up at her patio doors before they built a conservatory. To hang I just put 2 cuphooks up in the frame of the doorway, threaded a piece of dowel, the that was slightly shorter than the gap, through the back of the heading tape (between the tape and the material - very handy that that hadn't been stitched together ) and then gathered the curtain to make it fit. Hang the tape-covered dowel on the cuphooks and its done. Its great as I fold the edges back around the dowel and use the turnback to cover the edges of the door that little bit more. Yes you have to lift it down when you want to open the door but it works and keeps the curtain snug against the door. I hope that makes sense?

mum1plus1

Great thread for this time of year. Like others I have hung heavy curtains in the living room and over the front door and intend to use the open fire seriously this winter. For the first time I have an apple tree in my garden and although have been baking like a demon have now run out of ideas (but not apples!) Any one any good recepies for chuntneys jams etc before they all spoil.

My main tip for cosy this winter is reinstate the hot waterbottle and not just for in bed. There are some really cute ones around and not to expensive.

myleta253

MEANMARIE...What do you mean about `foam in the attic`? Never heard about that but I`m interested now.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE...I have seen these crystals in Wilkinsons. They either come in a little trough that costs about 3.99 (sorry-haven`t got a pound sign on this pc) or loose in a bag as a refill for about 1.99. If you buy them loose, do you need a plastic bowl to put them in like the ready-mage trough, or can you use any old bowl? Also, whereabouts in the room do you put them?

Thanks for your answers.

m

shaz_mum_of__2

npsmama wrote: »

Can someone offer advice pls?

We have BIG condensation problems.

Last year I followed a tip given on another site and put up bubblewrap as a cheap 'double glazing'....it significantly kept the heat in but within days we had mould growing everywhere.
WEill I have the same problem if i put up heavy curtains?
Is there an OS alternative to commercial curtains - would woollen blankets on the windows be a good alternative (although I have no idea how to put them up!!)?

Many thanks

you can buy condensation traps which contain granules which absorb moisture

pop them on windowsill and change the granules when fully saturated

alternatively a bowl of bicarbonate of soda will absorb a bit but need changing regularly places like wilko sell BOS in a box for a £1 (cheaper than baking aisle )


I saw these and thought of us all Usb powered heated slippers

http://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-Foot-Warmers/dp/B000WIYM1S/ref=pd_cp_ce_0?pf_rd_p=136153791&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000LUPTU0&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0YFD7P0RH0B9S18944BS

had to put the heat on here yesterday as the house was so damp only for 2 hrs though ....................hubby thinks this is the green light to have it on all the time ........................he'll learn....:rotfl: :rotfl:

Looking for a nice wine coloured fleece or chennile throw if anyone sees one or fabric to make one even

Shaz

sammyjig

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

Looking for a nice wine coloured fleece or chennile throw if anyone sees one or fabric to make one even

Shaz

When I was at Mr T's yesterday, they had wine coloured throws. Think they were about £15 though.

mardatha

You shouldn't get damp with an open fire. But mind you need some through draught or the fire wont burn.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

myleta253 wrote: »

MEANMARIE...What do you mean about `foam in the attic`? Never heard about that but I`m interested now.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE...I have seen these crystals in Wilkinsons. They either come in a little trough that costs about 3.99 (sorry-haven`t got a pound sign on this pc) or loose in a bag as a refill for about 1.99. If you buy them loose, do you need a plastic bowl to put them in like the ready-mage trough, or can you use any old bowl? Also, whereabouts in the room do you put them?

Thanks for your answers.

m

I have the troughs in places I don't want them to spill easily,but to save money in I just put them in bowls or little plastic tubs depending on whether they'll be in view or not as long as it's a steady surface.With dishes I just fill to about 1/2 an inch from the top and you can then empty any water that accumulates.I usually do this daily.Honestly my house would soaking without these and although I worked out I paid around £20 for the whole of last year for crystals for 10 rooms I think they're a bargain for the good they do.
I've had no condensation problems since.

shaz_mum_of__2

sammyjig wrote: »

When I was at Mr T's yesterday, they had wine coloured throws. Think they were about £15 though.

I thought i had seen them in there but they didn't have that colour on the website


Thanks

shaz

housebug

frugalsparkle wrote: »

I too am trying to cut down on having the oil on. But is it bad for the house not to have any heating on in the cold weather. Does this cause dampness?

A lot depends on the age and condition of the place your living in. Some older homes are inadequately insulated (or have none at all!), have doors and windows that let in the weather or the damp-courses are shot. Or all of the above.

You need two things to combat damp; good air circulation and at least some warmth. Yes heating is expensive now, but the damp is not healthy for either you or your possessions. Making sure your properly insulated and aren't heating the outdoors, as my dad used to say, is the place to start. There's still government sponsored grants out there to get wall cavity and attic space insulation put in. If you have substandard windows and doors and can swing it, its definitely worth having them replaced. If thats not doable, get to your local hardware store for some advice on inexpensive kits you can buy to keep the drafts out.

pennypinchingmum

I havent been on here for a while and i'm gutted i've missed this amazing thread! Thanks everybody for contributing so far (i havent caught up quite yet). I would definately recommend bringing out the elderberry syrup and stocking up on all those lovely winter spices. I must admit i've already had the sewing machine out for a few weeks.
Also the onset of autumn and winter in this house signals the start of crumbles which rapidly becoming a bi-weekly event by november.

Ooh and just 1 tip that's probably on here lots but here it is.

1. when making my draught excluders i save up jeans with holes and that are generally unfit for wearing anymore, then when making my draught excluder i cut off each leg sew up the holes and the ankle. Then stuff it full of old clothes, socks etc and then sew up the other end. It makes a great draught excluder and with a bit of imagination you can make some really decorative draught excluders.