Tag: winter

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Looking After Your Pet in Winter

Take extra care of very young or elderly pets during the winter months.  The cold can be fatal for young puppies or kittens, particularly during the first few days after birth.  Older pets tend to have more sluggish circulatory systems, which means they are more likely to find it harder to keep warm in the cold weather. Older dogs often suffer from arthritis and this is exasperated by the cold.

If your dog or cat is very short-haired, they will benefit from the added warmth of a jacket when they go outside. There are some great ones available but they need to be functional and waterproof- not just fashionable. Be sure to make sure jackets fit snugly but don’t restrict movement.

Make sure they have a warm place to sleep at night, away from any draughts and if your dog is an outdoor dog, be sure that his/her kennel is waterproof. Older animals should sleep on a cushioned bed that is elevated off the ground.

Remember exercise is important in winter too.  It can be very tempting to stay by the fire on winter days, or avoid a walk around the block after a long day in the office but it is important your pet maintains a regular exercise routine throughout winter. This is good for their fitness and will prevent boredom. Dry your dog thoroughly if they have become wet from walking and if it’s muddy outside, regularly check between paws to make sure they haven’t collected balls of mud.

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Keep Your House Clean And Cosy This Winter

1 – Create a shoe-rack

It’s great to be able to wander around your home wearing thick woolly socks, but dirt on the floor is never a good idea. Make sure you have a well-organised boot rack at the front door, and encourage guests to remove their shoes when they enter the house. This will cut down your time vacuuming and keeping the house free of floor-dust.

2 – Weatherproof your outdoor wear

It’s really important to keep warm and dry when you head outside. Make sure your boots and handbags have been properly cleaned and waterproofed with Oakwood Leather Conditioner and always store them in a clean dry place. Jackets and coats should also be kept out of damp environments, and make sure they are protected from mothballs and dust mites.

3 – Block out house drafts

Heating bills can be expensive during the winter months, but you can cut down on energy expenditure by draft-proofing your house. Check your windows and doors for exterior drafts, and plug them up with gap solutions and invest in some door snakes for the exterior doors.

4-  Switch on the slow cooker

One of the joys of cooler weather is the heat and aromas that can emanate from a slow-cooking oven. Try some slow-cooking recipes such as 12-hour roast lamb, or slow-cooked winter fruits.

5- Make your home a nesting hideaway

Winter is a great time to hunker down and spend time indoors. You can create a homely environment by choosing, warm soft fabrics for your furniture and bedding. Also light up some candles each night; this will create a gentle lighting environment and warm the atmosphere.

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How to Keep Your House Dustmite Free

Clean and ventilate your home regularly

  • Try to keep your house clean, with minimal clutter, and maximised air circulation.
  • Avoid using feather dusters and invest in microfiber cloths instead.
  • Vacuum regularly and consider regular steam cleaning
  • Opt for non-toxic cleaning products (link here)
  • Open your windows and allow fresh air to circulate throughout your house.
  • Consider investing in an air cleaner with a good quality (high efficiency) particulate filter.
  • Piles of clothing, books and stuffed toys can accumulate dust, so try to keep them clear and minimise clutter wherever possible.

Reconsider your home furniture layout

Dust mites accumulate on soft furnishings and areas that accumulate dust and lack air circulation. If you have a house that is heavily carpeted and plenty of fabric covered furnishings, you are more likely to accumulate dust mites.Consider switching to a minimalist furniture layout; opt for rugs, tiles, floorboards or linoleum, instead of wall-wall carpet, and remove clutter where possible. Also consider switching from fabric-covered to leather-covered sofas and furniture.

For soft furnishings and bedding

  • Change your sheets and blankets on a regular basis. Make sure to wash them at a minimum of 55 degrees celcius to kill dustmite, OR hang them in the sun or place in a clothes dryer on a high heat during the drying process.
  • Try to vacuum all soft furniture regularly. If you have direct skin contact with your soft furnishings (sofa cushions), consider covering them with a cotton sheet cover that you can remove and wash regularly.
  • To protect your mattress, consider adding an allergen barrier. Make sure you choose one that is dust-mite proof, so that skin flakes and dust mite cannot migrate through the barrier.
  • Direct sunlight also kills dustmites, so on warmer days, make sure you take any heavy bedding or blankets out in the sun to ventilate.