How can we talk about winter when the summer has just ended?
Autumn is here. The trees are turning red. The sky is grey. The puddles are covering the grass in the garden. And the temperatures have taken a turn for the worst. Sure, it’s not winter already. But you know that it’s coming! The weather forecast for this weather is rather gloomy; the UK is planned to have one of the coldest seasons in the last 30 years. While it might be a little early to buy woollen socks and thermal underwear, you can already take preventive measures to keep your home safe when the cold weather strikes.
Mould, mould, mould everywhere
Does it need saying: winter is the season of mould patches. Indeed, you’re more likely to notice an unpleasant musty odour when the moist and cold air infiltrates your home. Therefore, the first job on the list is to give mould spores no chance to attach themselves. Your bathroom is at the top of your priorities, especially the dark grout in between the tiles, which makes the perfect terrain for spores.Ideally, you should clean the grout, but it can be tricky to get it back to its original condition. If you can’t, replacing it is your best option – and it only takes a few minutes.
Eek, mud on the carpet
The UK rarely enjoys a glorious snowy season. Most of us have grown used to the idea of rain, even in winter. Rain means muddy boots. And mud is precisely the last thing you want on your cosy carpet. If you’re a tenant, you can also protect your indoor floor with a doormat. However, if you’re a homeowner, you can consider smart home improvements in the entrance hall, by switching the carpet for an amtico floor. Not only don’t you need to worry about muddy footprints anymore, but even if you do get mud inside, you can easily wash it away.
No more puddles in the hall
Admittedly, there’s a lot of fun to be had in choosing the most suitable wellies, raincoats and umbrellas. Embracing the colourful side of rain fashion spices up rainy days. But it doesn’t prevent puddles from appearing in your hall. Umbrellas are made to get wet, but unfortunately, it can take a long time to dry. Replacing your umbrella stand with a model that includes adequate water collection is a small change towards a puddle-free hall. Remember that moisture creates the best spreading ground for mould. You wouldn’t want to let rain puddles infiltrate your house structure through the floor!
You need winter loungewear
There is no winter with high energy bills. Unfortunately, our British homes suffer from inadequate insulation – according to the Building Research Establishment, at least 25 million households have insulation issues. If this is your case, you will most likely struggle with high heating costs this winter. But you can curb your reliance on indoor heating by investing in warm loungewear. Sure, it doesn’t replace a heated radiator, but wearing a fleece jumper will keep you warm for longer!
Winter is coming, and it’s going to be cold. While many of us may not be able to change the windows or insulation in our homes, we can certainly take a few measures to keep our homes safe, warm and cosy when the temperatures drop!
