Archives for January 26, 2020

Winter Hacks, Tips and Tricks. These Warming winter life hacks will have you embracing the colder months. Tips from a Floridian who learned to survive ice, freezing rains, and blizzards.

Winter Hacks, Tips and Tricks

I lived in Florida for well over 30 years. We had a snow flurries, twice in my entire life. When I moved from Florida to Virginia, I immediately battled one of their biggest blizzards ever (alone, without my husband) and just with the kids. Shoveling my car out of the snow took five hours. I felt like I learned a lot in that first six months, but as I became a Virginia local, I became lazy. Laziness lead to the stupidest decision I ever made – I drove with snow on top of my car!  The windshield was cleaned, but I though I could keep the snow on the roof o my car. It was dumb but it was a quick run to the kids school. I pulled out of my driveway on a busy road, went a little down hill and the entire roof of snow slid down my car. The inside of my car became black as if it was night. I could not see out of my front window as it was covered by 6 inches of snow. I was at an intersection, and I was blind. I immediately looked around for something to get rid of this snow. There was nothing. Not even a pencil or a pen.

Winter Auto Hack

Since then, I put a snow brush/ice scrapper in my car. This goes around with me 365 days a year. I will never leave home without it again because I luckily lived in that moment. I will always be prepared scrapping my car in the morning and having one with me, should snow accumulate when I am out.

This is my fifth winter in Virginia. I have learned a lot of Winter Hacks and Tips that I now want to share with you. It was these life hacks that pulled me through winter after winter. Learning through my mistakes, I hope that you find them helpful too to prevent your own mistakes!

Winter Life Hacks

Below are a bunch of Life Hacks to help you get through winter. Whether born in Florida or born in the mountains of the Rockies, we can all benefit with a few tips and tricks to get us through the coldest and snowiest months of the year!

Best Snow Life hack: Use non-stick cooking spray on the snow shovel to keep it free from sticky clumps. Not once will you have to knock clods off and every scoop is easily emptied. | Source

Salt is real, you guys. I have never looked at salt the same until I moved to the north. Instead of lugging a heavy bag of deicer out to the sidewalk, here’s a great solution! Make a “sidewalk salt shaker” from a big plastic coffee container. Poke 1/4-in. holes in the lid and fill it with salt, sand, cat litter, and/or deicer and shake away

Organize hats, gloves, scarfs and other winter accessories with a Over the Door Shoe Hanging Organizer. | Blue i Style

Frozen locks and ice covered windshields. “We are not in Florida anymore,” is what i tell myself every January! This 2 Ingredient Instant De-Icer Spray is your winter solution. | Six Cleaver Sisters

When a big snow is headed your way, lift your windshield wipers. Additionally, cover them with socks. Socks will keep ice off the wipers and will help your de-icing process in the morning.

Expect mud and water to come through the house when the kids come in from the snow. Toss all the outer layer clothes immediately in the dryer (don’t worry about washing) or hang wet snow clothes on a swing out drying rack by the door. | Source

Water-proofing your feet! You might laugh, but this is a thing! Put plastic bags on your feet under your boots (over your wool socks) to keep your feet dry!  | Wonder Bread on Twitter

Want to save on heating and cooling? Did you know Aluminum foil on windows in winter acts as an insulator. If that kills your curb appeal, consider using it to cover windows that are not as obvious, perhaps small attic windows or basement windows. Even consider windows that face the woods or backyard.

Warm hands are everything! You can buy a reusable hand warmer. I suggest keeping these by the door for snow days or outdoor adventures. If you get the disposable hand warmers, you can keep more hands warm than just one!

Loose power in the winter? Use your washer as a cooler! Just add ice (or snow!) If it melts, you will not have to worry about the drainage! (Then again, you can move everything out to the snow too!)

Speaking of power going out, the same solar lights that light up your yard and be used indoors for light. Charge during the day by the window and use them at night to see! | Ever Never Again

Mind blown – Kitchen Tupperware creates snow bricks! You guys, I went and bought a snow brick maker (Grrrr!) | Source

A few drops of hand sanitizer on your key can open a frozen lock!

When you wake in the morning, immediately feel your windows, especially near the edges. The windows let the most cold air in. Create these DIY Draft Stoppers to keep the warmth in and keep the bills lower. | Kitchen Counter Chronicle

Believe it or not, there was ONE time we had to park and walk home. The snow and the hill became too much. A 3 mile trip home turned into a 2 hour drive and we couldn’t not get the rest of the half mile home. We were dressed “okay” but had we not been, it would have been a tough walk (even that half mile.) During winter, have a Winter Emergency Car Kit! This Emergency Cart Kit is great, but also have wool socks, hats, gloves, a blanket, snacks and water!

Note: Wool socks cost a lot, but they are a MUST for winter. Just realize you will wear them season after season after season! worth the investment!

The worst thing with snow, ice and salt is the entry way. I always have a stack of towels by the front door so I can quickly lay them down on the floor or clean up the floor. Also make your own DIY Pebble Filled Tray for dirty shoes and boots. | Rambling Renovators

Living in a town home has reminded us that warm air rises and cool air falls – cold basements and hot 3rd levels. If you find heat trapped in your ceiling, remember to turn the direction on your fans! Summer = counterclockwise, Winter = clockwise. | Delmar Fans

Winterizing your home? Take a look at this free printable checklist to get started! | Wholefully

Snow day was a new thing to us, so we did everything creative we could! Visit these Snow Day Ideas for Kids. Pin to Pinterest.

When you come in, you want to be warm! Save these Comforting Warning Casserole Meals. Pin to Pinterest.

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