Cool change

Give The Colder

MONTHS A WARM WELCOME WITH THESE TIPS TO GET YOUR HOME WINTER READY

Words SHELLEY TUSTIN

Crisp autumn mornings hint at chilly weather on its way, so it’s time to put away the pool noodles, stash the swimmers and hunt down hot water bottles and woolly jumpers. Try these ideas and get organised for winter.

Fresh start

Winter means fewer opportunities to air the house, so professional organiser

Cath Buxton of My Curated Life (mycuratedlife.com.au) recommends doing it now, before the cold and damp set in. “Open the windows and doors to get your home smelling fresh,” she says. “Install or replace moisture-absorbing crystals in wardrobes, cupboards, damp corners, under sinks and anywhere that natural materials like leather are stored – for example shoes and handbags, which attract moisture.”

Safety measures

Before cranking up any of your winterwarming devices, do some quick home maintenance – clean dust off heater vents, empty the lint filter in the clothes dryer and change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. It’s also important to check electric blankets for scorch marks, hot spots, water damage, mould or exposed wires. “If you see any of these, do not use it, and either get it checked by a licensed electrician or replace it with a new one,” says Cath. Reverse-cycle air conditioners (heat pumps) should be serviced annually, and chimneys swept before lighting the season’s first fire.

Clutter clearing

A little strategic cleaning and decluttering can make life easier when winter descends. Start in the kitchen with a deep clean of the fridge and freezer. Bin anything old or unidentifiable to make room for a fresh batch of homemade soups, curries and casseroles. Then do a stocktake of your spices and dry goods, ready for cooking cold-weather favourites. In the bathroom, Cath suggests decluttering the medicine cabinet. “There’s nothing worse than needing flu medication, cough syrup or throat lozenges only to find they’ve expired. Get everything out now and check the expiry dates; anything that’s out of date can be returned to pharmacies that participate in the RUM (Return Unwanted Medicines) scheme. Make a list of anything that needs replacing.”

Laundry list

Switch your bedroom settings to ‘snuggly’ by swapping out linens for winter-weight doonas, extra blankets and flannelette sheets. Before packing away summer linens, give them a good wash and dry thoroughly, or have them professionally dry-cleaned. “It’s also a great time to air pillows and cushions, as well as flip, rotate and vacuum your mattress,” says Cath. Bring throw rugs back into active service in the living room. If you have extra floor rugs, now’s the time to roll them out again for warmth underfoot.

Deck out your bed in soft, thicker layers that’ll keep you warm and snug

Nail Your Storage

Whether you’re packing away summer sheets or clearing space in the wardrobe for a seasonal switch, these storage tips will keep your belongings ordered, accessible and in good nick till next summer.

Invest in good storage

Clear tubs or zippered cases work well. Vacuum storage bags are also great for maximising space.

Store by category

Keep similar items together – for example, beach towels, summer quilts, swimwear –to make unpacking easier.

Store shoes separately

Let them rest for at least a day after wearing to allow any moisture to evaporate before storing. Use shoe horns or stuff with acid-free tissue paper to maintain their shape. Add moisture-absorbing crystals to the container.

Label each category

“Make it easy to find things when you next need them by labelling everything,” suggests Cath. “Follow the format of name, season, category, such as ‘Cath’s winter jumpers’.”

The g reat outdoors

Careful packing of your outdoor gear means you’ll be primed for adventure come warmer weather. After the last camping trip of summer, Bunnings team member Aaron Chiofalo advises cleaning and packing away everything neatly before heading home. If the weather won’t allow that, give your camping kit a thorough cleaning and airing when you get home. “Clean out your tent of any sand or dirt, and ensure it is packed away dry to prevent odours and keep it mould free,” says Aaron. Make any repairs and replace broken equipment before storing. Don’t forget to clean sleeping bags too, says Jon Gumley of outdoor leisure supplier Sitro Group. “Check the washing instructions on the bag, and ensure it’s completely dry before storing it,” he says.

Jon advises taking particular care when storing barbecue or camp stove fuel sources. “After turning off any valves, safely disconnect them from their portable gas supply,” he says. “LPG gas bottles and butane gas canisters should be stored upright at all times in a well-ventilated area. LPG bottles should be kept in a cool place outside, out of direct sunlight. Prior to their next use, check for leaks and make sure all connections are tight.”

Pool pack away

Deflate pool toys and put away the pool vacuum and leaf scoop to help prevent them breaking down with exposure to the elements. Clean the surrounds, especially around the pump and filter areas, to help stop pests from getting in and causing damage. Timothy Threlfo of Hy-Clor also advises cleaning the pool cover before placing it over the pool. “And ensure chlorine levels are set lower, as high levels will break down the cover – aim for around 3.0ppm,” he says.

Keep in mind… in White and Gold, $5, I/N: 0400520. 9 Hy-Clor pool floating dispenser, $6.43, I/N: 3090377. 10 Daisy Pool Covers 4m x 2m 300um solar pool cover in Royal Blue, I/N: 0319915†. 11 Flexi Storage Living bamboo coat stand, $29, I/N: 0237271. 12 Ezy Storage waterproof IP67 50L storage box, $34.97, I/N: 0204842. 13 DampFree moisture absorber disposable tub, $25.39/2.2kg, I/N: 4470559. 14 Flexi Storage Wardrobe large and extra large vacuum bags, $10.63/pack of 2, I/N: 4470474. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.