It’s normal to find yourself wishing for those warm summer days during this time of the year, those days without all the troubles of dealing with snow. Even if you’re a winter enthusiast, really, it’s a fairly common thought. But there are many ways to make life easier when dealing with snow, and below you’ll find some of them!
“I love snow for the same reason I love Christmas. It brings people together while time stands still.” - Rachel Cohn
Spray Shovel with Oil
Shoveling snow is hard and everyone knows it! The best advice we can get is to go slow and steady, taking breaks as necessary (and not being ashamed of asking for help!).
Though there’s one hack that can make the job a whole lot easier:
Use non-sticking cooking spray on your shovel.
That way the snow won’t stick to the shovel and your job will be quicker. Just clean the shovel before putting it away again and that’s that.
Open Cabinet Doors
During a snowstorm, or really just any time that it snows, it can get a lot colder than we expect. Therefore, your water pipes might be at risk of freezing and bursting. To prevent that from happening, open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. That way, hot air will circulate inside the cabinets and avoid frozen pipes.
Switch Fan Direction
If you have a ceiling fan, that can be quite helpful during colder days as well.
That’s because:
When you use the reverse direction of the fan, the hot air going up will get back down and keep your house warmer and more comfortable to hang out!
Use Foil Behind Radiators
Radiators tend to discharge heat onto the wall, which will make no difference for you. So, using some tin foil behind it will help throw some of that heat into the room.
The Right Direction for Your Car
Did you know there’s a right direction to park your car during snow season?
Yeah, that’s right! It’s not like you absolutely need to do this, but if you want to avoid getting bothered by the snow, you’ll want to park your car facing east.
Why is that, you ask?
It’s because the sun rises that way, so if your car is parked facing east, the snow that built up on your windshield will melt more easily and your car won’t be so darn cold after all.
Bonus: Cover your windshield wipers with old socks to keep snow off of them and prevent them from freezing. This will make sure your wipers are ready to go when you leave.
Burn Orange Peels (in the Fireplace)
When the weather is cold and all you want to do is curl up in a blanket and sit by the fireplace, orange peels can help you feel at your best. These can fuel fires releasing less creosote than paper, while also spreading a wonderful citrus smell in the room! Just be sure to dry the peels on a sheet pan before using on the fireplace.
Get a Push Broom
When shoveling isn’t really necessary, but you still would like to feel safe when going down the outdoor stairs to leave your house (or simply walking to your car), consider getting a push broom. They’re easy to use and quite efficient with thin layers of snow.
Cat Litter for Tire Traction
Even if you don’t have a cat, keeping a small cat litter package in your trunk will be a good idea. The litter helps create traction when your car gets stuck on snow, just put some litter behind the tires and you’ll be able to make the car move without much effort.
Cover Car Rearview Mirrors
Same way as you park the car facing east, if there’s a snowstorm approaching (or just really any snowfall), cover your car rearview mirrors with sandwich bags and use a rubber band to keep them in place. The next day your mirrors won’t be frozen and you won’t need to clean them before driving to work.
What’s your go-to tip for dealing with snow? Share with us on Facebook!
More from homeyou:
- How to Deal With Snow Piling Up on Your Roof
- How to Prepare Your Home for a Blizzard
- How to Keep Your Home Organized for the New Year