Winter is here! Time to cozy up with a good book, your favourite TV show – or why not, this selection of winter hacks to make it through the cold season. We combed the Internet for some of the most unusual life hacks we could find – enjoy the read!
Ice-proof your windshield with vinegar
You may have heard that white vinegar is great for cleaning windscreen wipers, but did you know that you can use it to ice-proof your windshield too?
This hack can be particularly helpful for our friends in the South Island: as it turns out, spraying a 3:1 water/vinegar mix on the windshield can prevent frost from forming overnight. Otherwise, you can still get rid of ice quickly in the morning by pouring lukewarm water: just make sure the water is not too hot, or the temperature shock may cause the glass to crack.
Bubble wrap your windows
Condensation can be a telltale sign that there is too much humidity in your house. And, it can damage your curtains, clothes, and window's seal.
If you're not looking at investing in double-glazing for the time being, there are more affordable ways to improve your window insulation. The Community Energy Action (CEA) charitable trust, for example, recommends using secondary glazing products like window kits for wooden window frames, and bubble wrap for aluminium frames.
“If you have aluminium frames, cut a piece of bubble wrap to the window size, and stick it on by spraying a little water on the window, then placing the wrap to help reduce condensation build up and heat loss.” CEA explains. Who would have thought?
Do you get a lot of snow where you live?
Snow can be a magical reminder of the beauty and rhythm of nature – but it can also quickly turn into a hassle. Luckily, the Internet comes to the rescue with some pretty interesting hacks.
Many blogs suggest covering your windshield wipers with old socks to stop snow from sticking to them. If your car gets stuck and you need to gain some traction, you can put cat litter or (if you're more of a dog person) your car's floormats under the tires. And if you park facing east, the rising sun will melt some of the ice off for you. There's also a hack to make snow shovels more effective: apparently, applying a coat of vegetable oil can make shovelling easier.
Don't want your boots to make a mess?
According to our sources, there are a couple of ways to keep your boots from slouching at the ankle. You can cut two pieces of pool noodle and use them as boot inserts to keep them upright, or alternatively, empty wine bottles should also do.
And if you're looking for more winter tips...
Check out our other article Five steps to winter wellness: we collated some handy tips to help you boost your immune system and keep the winter blues at bay.
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Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current developments or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.
