Preparing for Winter

nippyone

MoneyQueen wrote: »

Anyone who has bought fleece from Ikea, do they do them in many colours in the store? I have checked the website and they only seem to have the cheapest ones in blue. -
IRMA Throw -£1.69

Thanks

What or who is IRMA?

rustyjemma

sashanut wrote: »

Hi all

I am an avid reader of this thread; although generally not a poster! But I thought I better tell you about something that might be of interest if you have an open fire grate that is not continually in use. We've got a big Victorian house with several fire places, only one of which we use in the winter. Our problem has been mainly that we have no cage on the chimney pots - and can't afford the cost of someone to go up & fit some - it's VERY high so would need more than just a ladder:eek: Our previous neighbours used to feed the local pigeons, & our big problem has been that they tend to fall down the chimneys - causing a big mess. I usually manange to get them outside before the cats get them but DH has a bird phobia:eek::eek::eek: so if I'm not around it's mayhem. On researching what I could do about this problem, I cam across this:

http://www.chimney-balloon.co.uk/


which we have just fitted this morning. Now I know you don't all have pigeon problems, but of course it should act to prevent cold air from coming down the chimney - a consideration for me as I sit next to the fireplace even when it's not lit. Apparently if you forget its up there & light a fire, it just shrivels up & you've lost £20 or so; however if you deflate it you can use it again. As I said, it's only just been fitted, but I'll report back on it's effectiveness (or not!). ATM they also have free delivery & 10% off as well - I have no affiliation with them, just thought it might help someone else.:D

So far we have not had the heating on, aiming for Nov 1 or later if poss. We do have an Aga which is on all the time so it provides heat, although it doesn't go far in this big place. Still, if I can train DH to leave the kitchen/hall door open, it does take the chill off. And with DD at uni, I am expecting my energy bills to PLUMMET since she always walked round in a strappy vest complaining of the COLD. Not to mention the TV/computer/iPod/hairdryer/straightners & the fact she could empty the hot water tank just washing her hair:rotfl:

Um...dont you just end up with dead rotting pigeons?:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
When the blackbirds come down our chimney they cant get back up & we have to remove the plate.
They always do it after you have repainted the ceilings & leave soot marks!

Rummer

I could see my breath this morning!

Reverbe

nippyone wrote: »

What or who is IRMA?

Ikea name all their products...:rotfl:

nippyone

Reverbe wrote: »

Ikea name all their products...:rotfl:

Thanks, it sounds silly asking - but when you don't have an Ikea anywhere near you then you would not know!:rolleyes:

Reverbe

Nippy there are no silly questions here. That is something I might have posted myself if I had not been to Ikea. We don't have one anywhere near us but we used to visit the one in Warrington years ago with my parents and I have been to the Midlands one with my OH.

Have to say I dunno why they do it but it's really funny...

aless02

So really my best bet to draughty windows (we live in rented so no permanent fixes available ) is to sew fleece blankets into the curtains? Are there other methods I can use? Our bedroom is significantly colder than the rest of the house, probably due to some old, single-glazed French doors. Seeing as we're going to have a baby in there from Christmastime-ish, I really want to find an MSE way of warming the room.

I swear I remember reading something last year about newspapers around the edges, too?? Am I imagining this?

Oh and can someone tell me how much the fleece blankets are in IKEA? 'Cause there's some cheap on eBay that might work out easier for me than finding a day to trek to IKEA...

Reverbe

Aless I looked at blankets on ebay last year as I do not have easy access to an Ikea or Asda. I don't know how much it would cost you to get to Ikea but postage on blankets on ebay can be from the blinking ridiculous to astronomical.Good luck with your hunt.

shaz_mum_of__2

For Ikea les peeps The Range have fleeces for £3.60(ish) too and much more choice of patterns Dunelm also sell the fabric itself but not sure how much that will be now

Noticed today that poundland had hot water bottles and packs of 2 childsize ones as well (£1 per pack) would be nice with a knitted cover or a animal shaped sewn cover ..........................i guess a knitted animal shape one would work too!! Poundland also had proper household candles in boxes of 8 , i find these give better light than tealights

Had the heating today on for half an hour to get rid of dampness too.............

bellaquidsin

Yes, I put the heating on for half an hour two as it felt so damp and yet it was surprisingly mild outside. Bang goes my resolution to keep it off until the end of the month.

Bella.