Even those who don’t like winter have to admit that there’s something relaxing about the cold weather. When we think of winter, we think of hot chocolate, thick blankets and campfires. What’s not to like? Of course, energy and electricity bills are usually higher in the winter. Especially if you live in an area with a lot of snow, winter can take a toll on your home. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to make your home more comfortable and save money at the same time.
Keep your garage dry and tidy
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, it goes without saying how difficult it can be to keep your garage clean and dry. Even if you don’t live in an area with a lot of snow, winter rain can still wreak havoc on your driveway. However, there is a fairly simple DIY way to keep your garage floor clean. All you need is a few pool noodles and a waterproof mat or fabric.
Simply lay the mat or fabric on the floor and place the pool noodles on the edge under the mat. Park your car on the mat and the melted snow and mud will fall onto the mat, leaving the floor as clean as it was before you rolled in.
Insulate your doors.
No matter how well your house is heated, some or most of the heat may be leaking out from under your doors. To solve this problem and save money on your electric bill, you can use the surface of your swimming pool as insulation. Simply cut a section of the pool surface. Then slide the noodle vertically under the door, which should stop some of the comfortable heat.
This will also work as a kind of door stopper. You do need a small opening under the door to slide the noodles under it.
To prevent slips and falls on icy sidewalks
How can penguins walk on ice without losing their footing? The reason for this is partly due to the webbing on their feet, but the main reason is actually hidden in the way they walk. Penguins walk (or flap their wings) on their toes and arms. If you’ve ever seen someone try to recover from a slip, they’ve likely extended their arms in the same way.
The next time you have to walk on ice, try walking like a penguin. Put your arms behind you, toes out in front, and if anyone asks, say you’re walking like a penguin and you won’t slip.
DIY fire starter
Duct tape is one of the most versatile items in the home. So is it really any surprise that duct tape can be used as a fire starter? To be honest, we’re a little surprised – it’s a little surprising. But the next time you want to start a fire in your backyard, by the fireplace or while camping, why not roll up a roll of duct tape, pack it up and use it as a fire starter?
Duct tape is flammable, so it will ignite quickly and you’ll have plenty of time to throw branches on it and keep the fire burning.
Warm up with an electric fan
Few people know that fans have a reverse setting. Even fewer people really know why. The reason is actually quite simple. When you reverse the direction of the fan blades, the cool air is pushed upward and the warm air is pushed downward back to the floor. This way, you don’t have to use the heater as often, which saves on utility bills and keeps the floor warm.
Of course, if you’re still wearing the warm slippers you bought last Christmas, then by all means do so. But if you’re someone who likes to walk barefoot or in socks, this DIY can be a lifesaver.
Make good use of the sun
This DIY solution may sound counterintuitive, but you’ve probably had similar experiences before. Open your windows to stay warm on a sunny winter day. If you’ve ever felt warm standing or sitting in the sun in the winter, it may have something to do with this hack. Even if it’s cold outside, the heat from the sun’s rays will warm your home.
However, if it’s really cold outside and there isn’t much sunlight, this may not be the best solution. Also, remember to close the windows at night to keep the house warm.
Insulate your garage
If you’ve ever stepped into a garage in the winter, you know that it can feel like an ice box during the winter months. While many homes are insulated to keep the air warm in the winter, this is not usually the case with garages. This leaves one of the largest rooms in the house uninsulated and leaking warm air. So, to solve this problem, why not try insulating your garage door this winter?
This will save you a lot of money on your heating and electricity bills, as well as prevent you from getting frostbite from stepping on the garage floor without your shoes on.
Make a small heater.
Recently, a DIY heating method has gained a lot of attention on the Internet. The method involves only three simple things around you. All you need is a small candle, a glass bowl and a couple of ceramic flower pots. Simply place the candle in the glass bowl, light it, and place the ceramic pots on top of it. This will create a small insulated heater, which should save you money on your electric bill.
If you need more heat, you can put a few more heaters around the room. However, make sure you drill holes in the bottom of the ceramic pot to prevent heat from escaping.
Eat more garlic.
It’s no secret that garlic has health benefits, but few people know that studies have shown that garlic has antioxidant properties and boosts the immune system. So why not use plenty of garlic in the winter when your immune system is in a state of decline? Fortunately, there are many recipes that use lots of garlic in the winter, such as soups, pasta and garlic bread.
Studies have also shown that garlic has anti-inflammatory properties. Really, if you’re using garlic in your next meal, there’s no reason not to add a few more cloves.
Clean your fireplace easily
If you have a fireplace, you’re in luck. There’s nothing more relaxing than relaxing by the fireplace in the winter. It also allows you to keep your home warm without having to rely on a heater and without incurring high utility bills. However, ash and soot can build up quickly, especially if the fireplace is your primary source of heating in the winter. Fortunately, there are some DIY solutions to clean your fireplace easily.
Place aluminum foil under the firewood to catch any ash that falls. Try lining a dish with aluminum foil so it can be poured off quickly.
Spray shoveling.
No one likes to shovel snow. But you can make the task easier by using simple kitchen utensils you have around the house. Cooking spray can help keep snow from sticking to your shovel, just like food doesn’t stick to a skillet. A quick spray on the shovel head before you walk up the driveway will make the job of shoveling snow much easier.
This is a great way to help those who shovel snow in the garden every day during snow season.
Dry wet shoes easily.
Walking on snow can be very difficult for shoes. It also puts a lot of stress on the floor. When entering the house with snow-covered shoes, it is recommended to wrap them in old newspapers or place them on top of a few sheets. The newspaper will quickly absorb the moisture and should also clean off any debris. Placing the newspaper on the floor and placing your shoes on top will prevent mud from entering the house.
This is a better solution than constantly putting your shoes in the dryer, which is hard on them. This is also a good reason to subscribe to the newspaper.
Removing lint
Some jackets and coats made of wool or cotton tend to accumulate lint over time. However, there is a super easy way to remove this lint and keep your coat looking like new all winter long. Simply shave off the lint with a razor. Yes, it’s that simple. It will keep your coat looking like new all winter long. It also works for jackets that pick up lint on the outside.
Also, you can use this simple DIY method on fleece jumpers because fleece tends to pile up.
Always cover your face
It’s always important to protect and moisturize your face, but even more so in the winter. The cold air dries out the face and the skin needs help. Men can keep warm and protected from the elements simply by growing out their beards in the winter. However, it’s usually better to wrap it up in a scarf or mask.
When you get there, your skin will thank you and you’ll actually be able to talk. Seriously, gritting your teeth is one of the most annoying things about winter.
Switch to wool
Thick socks are one of the best things to wear in the winter. They are very comfortable. However, they can make your shoes uncomfortable, especially if you live in a cold place where you have to wear multiple layers that are thick. Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this. Wool socks are thinner, lighter, and keep your feet warmer. There’s a reason people have been using wool to keep warm for thousands of years.
Sure, they’re not as comfortable as cotton socks, but if you have well-fitting shoes or boots, wool socks will give you much better results than cotton socks.
Hang them out to dry.
Keeping your home cozy in the winter is a good thing. However, there are drawbacks. Especially in the winter, the air can get stuffy and you may not open the windows as much for fear of letting the heat out. However, it’s usually a good idea to open the windows a little, especially before bedtime, to let the air circulate.
Just opening the window for five minutes can help you sleep better at night because you can actually take in fresh air instead of being exposed to the air in the house all day.
Scrub your windows with a card.
Window panes often frost overnight, so be sure to scrub them before you leave in the morning. In fact, in most cases, you won’t be able to drive your car without scraping the windows beforehand. Fortunately, if you don’t have a window squeegee with you in a pinch, you can always reach for your wallet. Often, a credit card will do a good job of removing most of the ice from your car windows.
Of course, you can also use an old card to pay for your morning coffee. If you don’t have a credit card, an old driver’s license will do.
Use sunlight.
This isn’t a DIY project, but it’s something many people tend to forget to do during the winter months. It’s about taking advantage of the available sunlight, especially in the morning. Start by putting on your coat, then consider going for a walk to absorb vitamin D, which is in short supply in the winter.
In addition, the sun’s rays tend to be warmest in the morning, so they help keep you warm. This will also help you create winter memories instead of staying indoors.
