Discuss the 'Heat the human not the home' guide

[Deleted User]

Heated throw to tuck in when sitting on the sofa.

I'm thinking of investing in a heated throw and won't need the living room central heating on when I'm watching television particularly in the evening.

Please excuse me if this question (because of the reason) is a bit 'indelicate.'  At present I use a hot water botte when the heating is off.  Here's the 'indelicate' bit:  My bottom always seems to be cold.  I understand that the electric throws (not the ones for putting on the bed, but for when sitting on the sofa watching television) cannot be tucked in.  This would mean that I couldn't sit on it to keep my coldest part warm.

I'm not too keen on the 'garment type, which have to be worn but would like a throw.  Does anyone know of a throw which can be tucked in when I am on the sofa?  If so any particular recommended one would be really appreciated.  I have a small amount of money left from my birthday and, if I can find a suitable one, would put this towards buying an electric throw.  If possible a link to one would be really helpful, thank you.

Thank you for any replies.

Crimson

PennyForThem_2

I cannot believe how many people are advocating bottles/electric blankets when going to bed.  Several years ago I invested in:

: Feather / down mattress topper 
: Wool packed thiner mattress topper
: duel separable feather/down filled duvets (summer/winter) which are used separately with own cover on same bed 
: for extra warmth a single feather down duvet

I am in my 70's and single so not young, and female and feel the cold - but it takes about 5 minutes when getting into a cold bed for it to warm up considerably - usually I end up folding back the single (in winter) and the summer duvet.

Yes, it cost.  But a feather / down duvet will last a lifetime if made of natural materals and aired regularly.  

Also - mould......

Mould is caused by condesation - or an external source of damp.  This should be sorted out by house owners but, if rented, the landlord.   

PennyForThem_2

Deleted_User:  Can I suggest getting the cheapest feather or wool filled duvet you can - a single would be fine - looking for a suitable cover to match your decor and sitting on it?

You can wrap the ends aroud your lap......for extra insulation.

Or........buy a sheepskin - these can be had from IKEA for about 35£  

Donna0926

luvchocolate said:

I've never had damp or mould in a property and lived in about 25.
Always open windows...ventilation is the key 

Yes fine in the summer but in the winter? Cant have open windows throughout the day or we would be freezing. We opened the windows every morning first thing but still damp, mould and condensation. I have always speculated it was because we were never well off enough to have the heating on other than for short blasts when we needed to change clothes or the cold got too much.  Moved home constantly through my childhood and adulthood and had this damp and mould in all of them. Maybe it’s the type of building we had (ex-council mostly) but if it’s something we are doing I wish I knew what it was.

QrizB

Donna0926 said:

luvchocolate said:

I've never had damp or mould in a property and lived in about 25.
Always open windows...ventilation is the key 

Yes fine in the summer but in the winter?

Yes, in the winter too, unless you fancy running a dehumidifier or have a fancy ventilation system.

QrizB

Deleted_User said:

I'm not too keen on the 'garment type, which have to be worn but would like a throw.  Does anyone know of a throw which can be tucked in when I am on the sofa?

Not quite what you're asking for, but as I type this I'm sitting on a heated seat pad.
Details here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78770592/#Comment_78770592

[Deleted User]

QrizB said:

Deleted_User said:

I'm not too keen on the 'garment type, which have to be worn but would like a throw.  Does anyone know of a throw which can be tucked in when I am on the sofa?

Not quite what you're asking for, but as I type this I'm sitting on a heated seat pad.
Details here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78770592/#Comment_78770592

Thanks QrizB.  What I was thinking was the cosy/comfort of an electric throw (there is a socket quite close to my sofa) but one which I could wrap around me and tuck in to keep my bottom warm as well.  Some of the electric throws I saw said that they should not be tucked in.

It is actually snow and hail here (Scotland) this afternoon and, so far, I have managed to keep the heating off - might have to 'give' in really soon as it is becoming really chilly now.

Thank you for replying.

Crimson

k_man

Have you tried a non heated fleecy throw under you (or wrapped around you too).
Makes much more difference than you would think.

And as warm as heated throws are, they are a bit cumbersome, and a level of care is required around folding etc, which isn't a problem with non heated blankets or comforter/duvets, as suggested above.

[Deleted User]

Thanks k_man.  I don't have a fleecy blanket but, since I've never tried one, I'll definitely think about it.  I hadn't thought about the electric throws being a bit cumbersome but it is definitely worth remembering.

I have tadies thermal long johns but, although quite good, still not solving the problem quite enough. Thank you.

Crimson

jackieblack

I’ve yet to see any suggestions for drying laundry indoors if not heating the home. I line dry during good weather, but in winter my line is permanently in shade and I can’t guarantee the weather being dry all day while I’m out.  Also, once the sun has set and the temperature drops, by the time I get home it’s dark and the laundry is damp again. 

My compromise solution atm is to have the heating on on a Sunday (the only day that I’m home all day). With better weather coming (hopefully) over the summer, line drying should be easier for a few months, but I am already worried about next winter.