Looking for some cold weather hacks to make it through the winter? Warm up with these ingenious ideas. Being too cold for winter is a thing of the past with these life hacks. From insulation to mittens, you’ll find an idea that will have you feeling warm in no time!
36 Cold Weather Hacks To Stay Warm Inside And Out
If winter weather is getting you down, try out these cold-weather hacks to keep you nice and toasty even during the coldest winter storms. Repurpose things on hand or find super cheap items to use for these winter hacks. Learn how to de-ice your car and outdoor steps naturally, keep the chill out of your home with household items, and other little tips and trick to keep you warm and cozy this season.
Use these old tips and new techniques to keep warm and safe during the cold.
Get Outside: Camp Cooking Just Got A Whole Lot Easier
1. Use pipe insulation as draft blockers
image via instructables
Don’t let frosty air get inside your house by using pipe insulation to fill in the gaps. It’s so easy I keep on wondering why I didn’t think about it first. Instructions here.
2. Dead battery hand warmer
image via instructables
Use ‘dead’ alkaline batteries’ last bit of energy as a hand warmer. Create this awesome low powered hand warmer with this tutorial. Don’t forget to take note of the safety warnings!
3. Make your own winter windshield washer fluid
image via fabulesslyfrugal
Mix 2 quarts rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water, and 1 teaspoon dish detergent. Mix everything and you’re ready to wash your windshield this winter.
4. Open the curtains when the sun is out
image via DailyFinance
This may seem like a no brainer, but sometimes even we homesteaders forget to try the simplest things first! Utilizing natural energy is the cheapest way to keep warm during winter.
5. Waterproof canvas shoes with wax
You don’t have to stash your canvas shoes in the closet this winter. They’ll be waterproof and winter ready as long as you follow this easy tutorial.
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6. Run your ceiling fan on low and spin it clockwise
image via viralnova
Doing this will push the warm air that rises to the ceiling back down to you. Do this every couple of times to warm the room up.
7. Putting a layer of tinfoil against the wall will reflect the heat back into the room
image via viralnova
If your house heater is a wall-mounted heater or radiator, put a layer of tinfoil against the wall to help reflect the heat back into the room. Be careful not to use anything else that would be a fire hazard!
8. Open the oven door after baking your Christmas goodies
image via free family funds
Take advantage of the oven heat by keeping the oven door open right after baking. This will definitely make the air warmer and smell delicious!
9. Screw some screws on the sole of your shoes to keep you from slipping
image via viralnova
The screws will help you gain traction in the slippery snow. Just be careful not to have the screws exposed in the sole.
10. Stick your windshield wipers in the air and cover them with old socks
image via viralnova
This way your wipers won’t stick to your windows. Simple yet ingenious.
11. Use old quilts as curtains to help keep heat in
image via sustainablog
Better yet, make thermal curtains! Thermal curtains are energy-efficient window shades that insulate against the cold around your windows. Get full tutorial here.
12. Cut out wool insoles for extra warmth
image via mayamade
Make this easy DIY wool insoles for toasty toes all throughout winter. You won’t have to worry about getting frostbite or cold feet again. Not unless you’re getting married. lol
13. Terra cotta pot heater
image via New England Permaculture Homestead
This baby can heat up an entire room. All you need is a clay pot, large stones, and some candles. Get full instructions here.
14. Insulate using running tights or pantyhose
image via viralnova
Layering up doesn’t mean adding lots of bulk. It’s about quality, not quantity! Do this and you won’t have to skip your morning run for the winter.
15. Make recycled sweater mittens
Make your very own pair of cozy recycled sweater mittens. You won’t have to spend a dime on this.
Watch this video:
16. Close unused rooms to help contain the heat in one area
image via artpropelled
It’s hard to heat up a room if all the doors and windows are open, right? Use the same concept with this cold weather hack. If your whole family’s just staying in just one room, close everything else up.
17. Park facing east
image via viralnova
By facing east, the sun will melt the frost and do a lot of your snow removal work for you. That’s letting Mother Nature take care of you.
18. Waterproof your socks by putting a sandwich bag over them
image via www.tn.loljam.com
I bet I’m not the only one who hates the feeling of having wet socks. This hack will take care of it. Who knows you may even try this idea even if it’s not winter.
19. Make sweater socks out of old thick sweaters
image via buzzfeed
I can imagine myself wearing this in a cold winter day, in front of my fireplace, with a hot coco in hand. Full tutorial here.
20. Shovel Hack
image via viralnova
Spray shovel with nonstick cooking spray or silicone-based lubricant to help prevent snow from sticking.
21. Broom for light snow
image via wisebread
Now that you know how to properly use your shovel, here’s another one. Sweep light snow away with a broom rather than a shovel. Why? It will be less the effort and the broom will also ensure you get all the light snow.
22. Place a double layer of tin foil across the bottom of a fireplace or wood grate before lighting a fire
image via lifehack
When the fire has died out, all you need to do is to fold the tin foil – which will contain ashes – up and throw it away.
You’ll also like: Wood Burning Stove Tips
23. Place several warm water bottles on your bed several minutes before climbing in
image via apartmenttherapy
This ensures a nice and toasty bed without even spending a cent on electricity.
24. Rubbing alcohol and dishwashing liquid are great salt alternatives
image via handy tips & tricks, etc.
If you run out of salt but need to de-freeze your steps or driveway, mix together one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and half a gallon of hot water, and pour over sidewalks and driveways to melt ice.
25. Use orange peel as a fire starter
image via little eco footprints
Orange peels are great fire starters due to the oil in the orange’s skin. To use, dry its peels on a sheet pan and toss them in a paper bag, with a silica packet to maintain freshness.
26. Keep a car mat nearby
image via sportys
This will be especially useful in case your tires need traction. You’ll never know when your winter tires still need a little help.
27. Use a lighter and your key to thaw a frozen lock
image via martha stewart
Locks can freeze during winter too. Ensure you won’t get locked out by doing this little trick with your lock and key.
28. Fight off common winter cold and flu bouts the natural (and frugal) way
Don’t go to the pharmacy just yet. Get to know some effective remedies for cold and flu from this list. They’re all natural and won’t even break the bank.
29. Keep warm with a cup of delicious hot chocolate
image via whitenoten
Make the best cup of hot chocolate with this recipe. You can never go wrong with hot chocolate. The warm feeling will be almost instantaneous.
30. Make your bike tires winter-ready with zip ties
image via I’m from Colorado
Anyone who has ever tried to use their bike in the winter will tell you the snow can be very slippery that’s why they sometimes just don’t use it at all. You don’t have to do the same with this winter hack.
31. Maximize the use of your water after you shower
image via viralnova
Don’t let your warm bath water go down the drain. Keep the water in the tub until it becomes room temperature to keep your place warm and add much-needed humidity.
32. Light up some candles to add add heat while cutting down the electric bill of your house
image via The Backyard Farming Connection
It’s also a great way to set the mood.
33. Dry up your wet shoes with micro fiber towels
image via EVERGUYED
If your shoes get really wet, stuff them with those super-absorbent micro fiber towels to get the cold out quickly!
34. Put down rugs or carpet to help prevent heat loss through the floor
image via honesty wtf
If you’re short on rugs but have old blankets or quilts these can work too. Just put some rubber no slide mats underneath them to prevent accidents.
35. Make your own hand warmers in 5 minutes
image via instructables
Learn how to make hand warmers that will keep your fingers toasty for up to an hour with this easy tutorial.
36. Live in a small house
image via PioneerSettler
It won’t take as much to heat up a teeny tiny house. Love tiny homes? You’ll love these.
Need more winter life hacks? Get more here from HouseholdHacker!
Keeping warm and toasty this winter doesn’t take a lot of money and effort. With these cold weather hacks, you’ll have a better time at home or at the road. Just keep these tips and tricks in mind and if you have some time, go ahead and get started with the DIY projects!
Do you have any other cold weather hacks you’d like to share? Leave them below in the comments!
And if you also want to know how to prepare your home for the winter, read more about it here!
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The post 36 Cold Weather Hacks to Keep You Cozy This Winter appeared first on Homesteading.