Home & Garden

Keep your family warm this winter

It’s no secret that the so-called energy crisis will lead to a surge in our heating bills over winter. To help combat this, heating and radiator experts at Stelrad have put together a handy guide on how to keep yourself warm - and maximise radiator performance.

Utilise heat reflectors: Radiators spread heat all around, meaning 50% of it goes out from the back of the radiator into the walls. To avoid this, get yourself some reflectors; this will mean you can have the radiator on for less time, which will be reflected in your bills. Regularly clean your radiator: When a radiator heats up, it causes the air surrounding it to rise which leads to dust and dirt from the floor below being drawn up inside. When dust gets accumulated, it creates a layer of insulation, in turn lowering the performance of your radiator. To avoid this, regularly clean your radiator with a vacuum and wipe down the surface. Check for cold areas: Over a period of time sludge might become accumulated in radiators, having an impact on their performance. To check if it has built-up, see if you can identify cold spots. If so, you’ll need a professional to help clear it. Wear thick socks: Did you know you lose 20% of your body heat through your feet? Keep yourself feeling warm and snuggly by donning a pair of thick, fluffy socks. Guard against draughts: A draughty house can defy even the best heating system to let in the chill. Try using a draught excluder on your door and close curtains, blinds and shutters to help keep the cold out. Get cosy with wheat bags: You can use wheat bags to warm up any part of your body, targeting icy cold feet or hands if desired! They’re safer than hot water bottles as there's no chance of spilling boiling water anywhere, so they’re perfect to take to bed with you.

6 cleaning hacks before the guests arrive!

1. Before you buy the Xmas food shop, give your fridge a clean with baking soda and vinegar then cut an onion in half and leave it in the fridge overnight to clear any lingering smells.

2. Fool the mind and make your home smell great! Bake some bread or cookies, brew some coffee or burn a candle before guests arrive.

3. Got young kids? Put the Mission Impossible theme tune on and get them tidying up their belongings before the tune ends. It really spurs them into action!

4. Get the guest room ready first so if guests arrive early, you won’t stress their room isn’t ready.

Remember to leave a towel and toiletries to make their stay comfortable.

5. If you’re in a rush, clean everything at eye level – it’s what people see first. Then you can clean as you go.

6. Leave it to the pros and book a pre-Xmas clean before guests arrive; that way, you’ll be less stressed when they turn up.

Garden splurge

Did you know…

a garden census, commissioned by STIHL, found that Brits have spent more than £16 billion on their gardens in the past year, with the average household forking out £241 on renovations, £180 on accessories and £140 on tools. The top 20 popular garden purchases were:

1. Plant pots 2. Washing line 3. Shed 4. Gate 5. Bird feeder 6. Dining table and chairs set 7. Garden ornaments 8. Hanging baskets 9. Bench 10. Barbeque 11. Trough planters 12. Parasol 13. Vegetable patch 14. Sun lounger 15. Fairy lights 16. Stepping stones 17. Wildflower garden 18. Greenhouse 19. Coffee table 20. Lanterns