Easy Winter Weather Hacks To Keep You Toasty And Smiling

#1

Winter isn't always wonderful. Weather makes travel difficult, your house messier and slows down your morning routine. Luckily, these clever solutions can help you make the best of the snow and slush!

#2 Clear Out Clutter

Never let a mitten go missing again! Keep all of your scarves, hats and gloves organized and easily accessible in clear, plastic shoe organizers. Hang one over the door in your entrance or mudroom for a quick and easy clean up after a day in the cold.

#3 Dial Down the Steam

To keep your skin from getting too dry in the winter, take shorter, cooler showers whenever possible. This helps your skin retain the limited moisture it already has. Don't forget to put on lotion afterwards, too!

#4 Keep it Hot

Make the most out of an older radiator or space heater by using tin foil. Place a sheet or two behind it so that the heat is reflected into the room and not absorbed into the walls. Another quick way to make the most of your heat is to utilize your oven. After cooking or baking, leave the door open to help warm the entire house.

#5 Get Out of Slick Spots

Even if you don't have cats in your own home, keeping a stash of litter in your car is a great way to be prepared for icy conditions. If your car ever gets stuck, putting litter behind/in front of your tires is a great way to instantly gain traction and get back on the road.

#6 Keep Keyholes Clear…

Have a spare can of WD-40 laying around? Another great way to keep your car ice and snow-free is to spray a little bit of the WD-40 into each of your car's keyholes to keep them from icing over in harsh, winter conditions.

#7 …Or Thaw Them Out

If you are caught in an ice storm or forget to apply WD-40 the night befoe, just a little dab of hand sanitizer, applied to your frozen door handles and keyhole can quickly break up the ice too!

#8 Wipe Smart

Don't you just hate when your windshield wipers are caked with ice and snow in the morning? It might look silly, but placing tube socks over outstretched wipers when they're not in use will help keep them clean, dry and ready for use.

#9 Dry Shoes Without the Mess

Entrance rugs can quickly get overrun with water, snow and sludge when the kids play outside. Minimize the mess by placing wet boots into a tray with pebbles. The water will run down through the pebbles and dry naturally, sparing your entrance from pesky puddles and wet spots.

#10 Add an Extra Layer

If your boots or shoes and snuggly socks just aren't cutting it, trace and cut insoles out of wool for an extra layer of comfort and warmth. Check out the Maya*Made blog for details.

#11 Defeat Drafts

To keep energy-draining drafts at bay, create a homemade draft stopper by sewing fabric into a small tube shape and fill it with sturdy plastic bags full of sand or rice. Perfect for along the front door and on windowsills, this project is quick, easy and helps save money on energy bills.

#12 Shovel Smoothly

Don't make shoveling any harder than it already is. To keep your snow moving smoothly, spray a silicone-based lubricant like cooking spray or butter spray onto your shovel before beginning. Snow will slide right off!

#13 Get Rid of Pills

Are your old sweaters staring to show their age? Get rid of pills and fuzz by running a disposable razor lightly over the surface of the garment. They'll be looking like new in no time!

#14 Protect Side Mirrors

Keep ice and snow at bay by covering your side mirrors with clear plastic bags and sealing them as tightly as possible when not in use. The next time you go to drive, you'll simply pop the bags off and be ready to go!

#15 No More Slushy Socks

Tired of dealing with soggy socks after trudging around in the wet snow and slush? Slip on a clear plastic sandwich bag before putting on your shoes. You'll have cozy, dry socks no matter where your day takes you!

#16 Don’t Waste Heat

Run your ceiling fan on low and spin it clockwise (reverse) to help warm air trapped by the ceiling to make it back down to floor level to keep the heat where you can feel it. You can also keep your blinds open to let sunlight in during the day, which will also help warm your home.

#17 Beef Up Your Drapes

Swap out your lighter fabric window curtains with thicker, heavier curtains to keep in heat and keep drafts at bay. If you don't want to change the entire look of your room, consider lining your current curtains with fleece, wool or even a thick shower curtain.

#18 Cool Off (But Only a Little)

Turn down the setting on the water heater and thermostat. You'll still be able to take warm showers and heat your home, but you'll save a lot on energy bills by cooling things off a tiny bit. Even one or two degrees can make a big difference!

#19 Don’t Forget Sunlight

Though it's definitely tougher to get in your daily dose of Vitamin D (most easily absorbed from sunlight), getting a few minutes of time outside every day can significantly help boost your mood and help beat those winter blues. If there's no sunlight in sight or getting outdoors isn't an option, Vitamin D supplements can also do the trick.

#20 Prepare Your Bike

If you'll be using a bicycle in the snow and ice this winter, take extra safety precautions and craft your own snow tires. Simply secure tight zip-ties at even intervals around each tire to instantly gain more traction and stability on those slick roads.

#21 Keep Your Bed Cozy

Tired of jumping into bed, only to be greeted by chilly sheets and cold toes? Fill a hot water bottle or two and slide them under the sheets while you're getting ready for bed. When you do finally climb in, you'll be warm, cozy and ready for dreamland.