A travel reporter who spent 25 years living without central heating has shared the clothing item she says will keep you warm without turning on the heating. Vita Molyneux, writing for the Daily Express, grew up in New Zealand where central heating is "pretty much non-existent" and says she became "very good at keeping warm" without electricity.
Why a beanie is the first step
Molyneux advises that the first thing to do to lower your electricity bill this winter is to get a thick beanie. "Keeping your head warm will make much more of a difference than you think," she writes, adding that simply putting a hat on can quickly warm you up.
Her other clothing tip is to invest in merino base layers. She owned several sets of merino wool long-sleeve shirts and long johns, which she says are breathable but keep body heat close, helping you stay warm for longer. She layered them with track pants and a woollen jumper.
Bedding and draught tips
Thick socks are also helpful, with Molyneux recommending layering a light merino wool pair under a thicker slipper-style sock. She also relied on hot water bottles, placing two or three under the duvet about an hour before getting into bed to stop the sheets from freezing. Another bedding tip is flannelette sheets, which trap more heat and feel cosier than cotton.
Blocking draughts is also important. Molyneux suggests closing all curtains as soon as the sun sets to keep the day's warmth in, ideally using floor-to-ceiling curtains to exclude draughts from window gaps. A rolled towel under the door frame can also trap heat in a room and stop cold air from creeping in.
