Self Sufficiency
35 Cold Weather Hacks To Keep You Safe And Cozy This Winter
Count on these cold weather hacks to see you and your homestead through the freezing winter. Learn some winter hacks for your car and tips to stay warm outside. Use these old tips and new tricks to keep warm and safe in the cold. These cold weather hacks are effective in my homestead and could be for yours, too. Continue reading to find out which cold weather hacks suit you best!
Cold Weather Hacks For Savvy Homesteaders
1. Natural Common Cold And Flu Remedy
The common cold and flu are some of the side effects of winter weather. Drown the symptoms of cold and flu with these home remedies. They’re all-natural, effective, and right in your budget. You will also want to boost your immune system this cold season. These natural ingredients will do a good job at it.
2. Make Recycled Sweater Mittens
Avoid buying new and costly sets of mittens this season. Rummage through your closet for suitable materials to repurpose or upcycle. You can make this pair of cozy and comfy mittens from old knitted sweaters. Make use of your winter season downtime for some fun upcycled sweater projects.
3. Waterproof Canvas Shoes With Wax
You don’t have to stash your canvas shoes in the closet this winter. Homesteaders have a way to make them waterproof and winter-ready. Follow this simple and easy trick on how to waterproof canvas shoes with wax.
4. Light Up Some Candles
Light up some candles to add heat while cutting down on electric bills. Don’t worry about spending on them either and learn how to make your own instead. Take this homemade candle tutorial and personalize your candles with scents you love. Enjoy warm air and a mood-boosting scent in your cozy room.
5. Make Your Bike Tires Winter-Ready With Zip Ties
Anyone who has ever tried to use their bike in the winter will tell you how the snow can be very treacherous. When avoiding the use of bikes isn’t an option, winter weather-proof them without the expense. Try this amazing winter hack and keep those tires rolling in the winter weather.
6. Keep Warm With A Cup Of Delicious Hot Chocolate
Make the best cup of hot chocolate with this delicious hot cocoa recipe. Stay warm and comfy in the cold winter weather. Nothing like a hot cup of coffee to keep your body heat.
7. Use Old Quilts As Curtains To Help Keep The Heat Inside
Use old quilts as curtains to help keep the heat inside. If you have thicker quilts, all the better. They will be perfect to ward off the cold air busting through your windows. It’s a simple energy-saving hack to try in your homestead this winter.
8. Dead Battery Hand Warmers
Use ‘dead’ alkaline batteries’ last bit of energy as a hand warmer. This isn’t much but every little will help this winter. Remember to use only dead batteries and not new ones. Also, use only alkaline batteries. Drain out the last remaining energy from the batteries. Use a 1-ohm resistor to connect the terminals.
9. Make Your Own Winter Windshield Washer Fluid
What liquid can resist the freezing temperature? High proof vodka or 99% alcohol is your answer! Pour 8 oz. of either alcohol or vodka in an empty and clean 1-gallon jug. Fill it with water leaving room for an oz. of castile liquid soap. Add the soap, mix, and pour the homemade windshield washer fluid into the correct area.
10. Tinfoil To Keep House Warm
Boost the power of your wall-mounted radiator or heater. Place a layer of tinfoil opposite the wall. This will help reproduce the heat into the room. Be careful not to use anything else flammable.
11. Slip-Proof Shoes Hack
Slippery lanes and driveways are a problem in winter. Screws in your shoes can help you gain traction in the slippery snow. Stick small screws around the sides of your shoes’ soles. Be careful not to have the screws exposed in the sole or they might hurt you.
12. Pipe Insulation As Draft Blockers
Frosty air getting inside your house is a problem in old houses with wide gaps under the doors. There are draft blockers for sale, but the prices can be outrageous. Use a piece of pipe insulation to fill in the gaps. Slice along the length of the pipe and slide it underneath the door.
13. Windshield Wipers Trick
Stick your windshield wipers in the air and cover them with old socks. This way your wipers won’t stick to your windows. Simple, yet one of the more ingenious winter hacks for your car!
14. Terra Cotta Pot Heater
You can make a DIY heater with terracotta pots. All you need is a clay pot or three (depending on your design), large stones, and some candles. Make sure to follow safety precautions when using your finished product.
15. DIY Wool Insoles
Add warmth and coziness to your pair of winter booths or mucks. Make a pair of insoles from some old woolen moss felt. Pull out the thin insoles from inside your boots for your pattern. Cut them out and slide them inside your boots. Now you have warm and toasty feet with this simple winter trick.
16. DIY Slipper Boots
With mittens covered, take on this DIY slipper boots project next. It’s another upcycled sweater project to match your upcycled sweater mittens. Use the sleeves of a knitted sweater for the leg pieces. Cut a separate piece from the fabric for the soles. Stitch to connect the sole and leg piece and it’s done!
17. Thawing A Frozen Lock
Imagine trying to get indoors with an unseen assailant after you. You try your key and surprise, surprise–frozen lock! Talk about worst-case scenarios. But with or without an assailant, frozen locks are a bummer. Always have a lighter handy in your purse or pocket in winter. Heat the keys with a lighter to thaw the lock.
18. Make Your Own Hand Warmers
Stop rubbing your hands raw against each other when you can make hand warmers. We can never have enough of hand warmers in winter so have fun making more than you need. Give them to your family and friends and warm their hearts!
19. Keep A Car Mat Nearby
Keeping a car mat in your truck will come in handy and very useful in case your tires need traction. You never know when your winter tires will still need a little help.
20. Open The Curtains When The Sun Is Out
This may seem like a no-brainer. But sometimes even we homesteaders forget to try the simplest things first! Utilizing natural energy is the cheapest way to keep warm during winter. Open the curtains wide to let the sunlight and warmth in.
21. Run Your Ceiling Fan On Low And Spin It Clockwise
Run your ceiling fan on low and spin it clockwise. Doing this will push the warm air rising to the ceiling back down. Do this a couple of times to produce warm air around the room.
22. Leave The Oven Door Open After Baking Your Goodies
Make good use of the piping hot oven after baking. Leaving the oven door open after baking will release the heat into the surrounding area. This will give you a burst of delicious-smelling warm air.
23. Insulate Using Running Tights Or Pantyhose
Winter clothing hacks aren’t in short supply online. But, keeping warm with clothes is simple. Layering up doesn’t always mean adding lots of bulk. Use running tights or pantyhose under your regular pants to keep warm. It’s about quality, not quantity!
24. Close Unused Rooms To Concentrate Heat In One Area
It’s hard to heat up a room with all the doors and windows open on cold nights. Close the doors to a room where the family gathers, say, the living room. This will concentrate all the heat in this room and keep your family warm.
25. Park Facing East
By facing east where the sunlight is coming from, the frost in your car will melt fast. Let the sun’s heat do a lot of your snow removal work for you. That’s letting Mother Nature take care of you.
26. Waterproof Your Socks With This Hack
It’s not only uncomfortable but also dangerous to walk in the snow with your socks wet. Keep your feet warm and dry in the snow with plastic bags. Slip in sandwich or plastic bags in each foot after putting on thin socks. Two pieces of plastic bags will work for each foot. To secure the bags, slide in another thin sock and you’re good to go.
27. Shovel Hack
Shoveling some snow on cold winter days seems like a monstrous task. Yet it is a must, especially if this is for the driveway. To make it easier, spray your shovel with non-stick cooking spray. Your shovel will slide with ease on the ice and snow won’t stick.
28. Broom For Light Snow
Now that you know the snow shovel trick, here’s another one. Sweep light snow away with a broom rather than a shovel. It’s less the effort and the broom will also ensure you get all the light snow.
29. Tin Foil Cleaner
Use a tin foil as a fireplace cleaner. Place a two-fold layer of tin foil at the base of your fireplace before you start a fire. Once the fire dies out, all you need to do is to pull out the ash-covered tin foil and toss it.
30. Warm Water Bottles
It’s nice to jump into a toasty bed without spending an extra cent on electricity. Place a couple of warm water bottles on your bed a few minutes before tucking yourself in. This will give you warm and comfortable sleep during cold winter nights.
31. Rubbing Alcohol And Dishwashing Liquid Salt Alternatives
If your salt supply is not enough to defrost your walkway, do this trick. Combine 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol, dishwashing liquid, and 1/2 gallon of hot water. Splash it on your walkways to melt the ice.
32. Orange Peels As Fire Starters
Orange peels make great fire starters, with the skin containing some oil. To store, toast the peels in a pan and put them in a container or paper bag. Include a pack of silica to hold keep it dry.
33. Maximize The Use Of Water After Shower
Don’t let your warm bath water go down the drain. Keep the water in the tub until it comes to room temperature. This will keep the warm air in a room and add much-needed humidity.
34. Dry Up Your Wet Shoes With Microfiber Towels
If your shoes get wet, stuff them with super-absorbent microfiber towels to get the cold out fast! So keep microfiber towels handy wherever you go around winter time.
35. Place Rugs Or Carpet On The Floor And Avoid Heat Loss
If you’re short on rugs but have old quilts or blankets these can work. Place some rubber non-slip mats under the quilts or blankets to avoid accidents.
Need more winter life hacks? Get more here from HouseholdHacker!
Knowing these cold weather hacks will help you not just survive, but enjoy the winter weather, too. Put these simple yet practical cold weather tricks and life hacks to the test. Try these cold weather hacks to find out how effective they are in your homestead!
Do you have any other cold weather hacks you’d like to share? Leave them in the comments section below!
Up Next: 8 Foolproof Ways To Prepare Your Home for Winter!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
RELATED: How To Make Buttermilk On Your Homestead
Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
RELATED: Microgreens Growing Guide
In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
UP NEXT
- 50 Gardening Tips And Tricks To Become A Successful Homesteader
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- Self-Sustaining Ideas For Living The Homesteader’s Dream
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