9 Must Have Winter Home Essentials

Don’t wait until winter weather is approaching to realize that you don’t have your home prepared. Nothing will be in stock, you’ll be stressed, and nobody has time for that with a storm approaching. Take the time now to go through this list and be sure that you have all that you need to get through winter. 

1. Warm Blankets

Every bed should have a set of flannel sheets and a fleece blanket. While down-stuffed comforters and knitted wool blankets are the cream of the blanket crop, unless you live where it’s below freezing from October to April, you likely don’t regularly hit temperatures to require those investments. Flannel sheets warm up quickly and retain heat well. Fleece blankets are widely available, affordable, washable, warm quickly, don’t shed, repel water, and are very lightweight. These are the blankets to have on hand, one per person and a few in the car!

2. Window Insulator Kit

When the temperature dips down, you suddenly find all the drafts in the house. Window insulator kits have film sheets and double-sided tape so that you can secure a film over your window along the frame. After using a hair dryer to shrink and tighten the film, your single-pane windows now have their heat retention value boosted 90%! These kits will see you through the entire winter, and then you can address any caulking or window upgrades in more pleasant temperatures. 

3. Snow Shovels

Whether you’re just scooping over the sidewalk from a nice snowfall or you have to dig out your car from a snow plow mound on the daily, a high quality snow shovel is an absolutely wintertime necessity. There are a wide variety available, depending on if you need to scoop or cut. There are even shovel designs with wheels for those with less strength! It’s not a bad idea to put a collapsible snow shovel in the trunk of your vehicle as well. 

4. Humidifier

Cold air holds less moisture, and dry air leads to cracked hands, chapped lips, and bloody noses. Time to break out the humidifier! There are humidifiers for individual bedrooms or whole floors – even some designed to be used by one person, sitting on their bedside table! Whatever your space and budgetary needs, there’s a humidifier available to help keep wintertime skin and respiratory issues at bay. 

5. Boot Dryer

These handy inventions dry out boots, gloves, and hats within a few hours. This eliminates moisture that leads to mold, odor, mildew, and fabric breakdown. Working in wet boots is never enjoyable, and how many kids want to play outside until their gear gets wet, but then want to go back out before they’re fully dry? Boot dryers are small, noiseless, and efficient, greatly increasing your wintertime quality of life. 

6. Ice Melt

Ice melt or rock salt is typically made from calcium chloride, and works to lower the freezing point of water. It can either be used preventatively to keep ice from forming overnight on driveways and sidewalks, or poured over windshields and car doors to make double your ice scraping efforts. 

7. Light Sources

With winter comes ice, and with ice comes power outages. It is always wise to have an alternative light source available. Candles and oil lamps provide great ambient light for evenings, while a flashlight for each person helps them go about their tasks. Be sure that you have extra matches, oil, or batteries on hand! 

8. Wool

Wool is the premium wintertime fiber. It is naturally moisture repellent, keeping snow and ice from getting it wet. It is breathable, wicking away sweat. And it is temperature stable, meaning that it will warm you if you’re cold or stay cool if you’re hot. You need to have wool somewhere in your winter gear. For those that frequently battle frigid temperatures, wool is often used for base layers. Or you may just want to be sure that your mittens and hats are made from this fiber. 

9. Waterproofing Spray

Most snow boots are water repellant, but that’s not the case for tennis shoes or mukluks. Start your winter by coating your shoes with a waterproofing shoe spray. While more “water-resistant” than truly waterproof, it will help keep your feet warm and dry while you run errands. 

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