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Cold at night, any recommendations?

(151 Posts)
DaisyMac Wed 08-Feb-23 00:20:28

I heard on the news today that there is no prospect of energy bills coming down in the foreseeable future and I'm getting scared: if I don't have the heating on at night, I can not sleep through; I wake between 2 and 4am. I've tried everything - two or three duvets, hot water bottles, thermal vests, leggings and hats - and nothing works. Is there anyone out there who is as 'nesh' as me and do you have any suggestions? Maybe I just need to emigrate!

(nesh: "weak and delicate, in particular in being susceptible to the cold").

Nannan2 Fri 10-Feb-23 11:34:36

*where do you get

ninamoore Fri 10-Feb-23 11:35:01

Definitely an electric under blanket; cheap to run

ruthiek Fri 10-Feb-23 11:37:17

Fleecy sheets are game changers

GrannySeaside51 Fri 10-Feb-23 11:41:32

Bed socks! As long as my feet are warm I’m ok. I wake between 2am- 4am regardless of the weather - think its an age thing.

Nannan2 Fri 10-Feb-23 11:42:02

Yes deffo a heated cover of some type.I splashed out on a Dreamland heated husky throw(its even washable!) And its so cosy it even keeps me warm without turning it on! Pricey but very worth it.I put mine on the argos card pay by next year- been paying £10 off every time ive a tenner over- its nearly paid off already.But places like B&M's, Home Bargains etc all do electric blankets at lesser prices than other retailers.

Welshy Fri 10-Feb-23 11:43:27

I second the fleecy pyjamas. I also drape over my shoulders a fleecy throw. Like this one.
www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-mink-waffle-throw-200-x-240cm/p/0417738
But I usually get them when on offer.
I have also used one like a top sheet under the duvet.

Nannan2 Fri 10-Feb-23 11:43:59

Oh yes definitely bedsocks! I got some in primark and new look that are 2tog rated.

KathrynP Fri 10-Feb-23 11:47:14

I sleep under a 4.5tog duvet all year round and am never cold, in fact that is usually jettisoned some time during the night. If only I could harness that heat and give it back to the national grid I'd be able to share it!

My elderly aunt has the opposite problem so I bought a 10.5 tog duvet for when she visits and added a weighted blanket, she says she's never cold.(There are different weight blankets to choose from, they trap your body heat around your body)

Pammie1 Fri 10-Feb-23 11:48:04

Link below. Lakeland heated Sherpa throw. £71 at the moment in the sale online. I have one and on cold nights I have it under the duvet. Nice for a nap on the sofa too !! The heat is adjustable and it has a choice of time settings. Can recommend it.

www.lakeland.co.uk/63719/lakeland-sherpa-electric-heated-throw-teal?src=gfeed&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKCAiA85efBhBbEiwAD7oLQLJb7CPD4Ek8ViHWsqX4h_iiuYpQoKO-KUfG3kMKi1_s48UoKRu_yxoCM1sQAvD_BwE

Willow68 Fri 10-Feb-23 11:49:31

I’d also go with teddy fleece duvet cover and pjs keep you very warm. And fluffy bed socks 😊

Nannan2 Fri 10-Feb-23 11:50:54

Theres a review of a basic silentnight electric blanket at GN homepage today - a word of warning though for those with a mattress topper- you maybe safer with an OVER blanket as it may be unsafe heating up the mattress topper directly??Just a thought.🤔

MamaB247 Fri 10-Feb-23 11:56:34

I'm same but since getting a free electric blanket from Octopus Energy I have enjoyed plenty great nights of sleep

Eloethan Fri 10-Feb-23 11:56:56

Fleece mattress cover - I think you can get a double from Amazon for around £17. Mattresses can strike very cold, even if you have warm sheets.

Brushed cotton sheets and brushed cotton duvet cover.

13.5 or 15 tog duvet

Put three or four water bottles with warm covers in bed half an hour before bedtime.

I don't think keeping heating on all night is healthy and can result in headaches. But, if you want to, put the heating on high for about half an hour before bedtime and then switch it off.

I appreciate buying all these items might be unaffordable all in one go. I think the fleece mattress cover is a must, and the brushed cotton duvet cover. Hot water bottles should not be too expensive.

Eloethan Fri 10-Feb-23 11:57:17

Make sure you shake your duvet regularly to get air into it.

mimismo Fri 10-Feb-23 12:01:34

Have you got a blanket on top of the mattress under the sheet? I was frozen one night at my sister's house and realised I was losing heat through the mattress. When I was lying on a blanket it didn't happen. Try a polar fleece type throw under the sheet.

Welshy Fri 10-Feb-23 12:07:22

www.sleepseeker.co.uk/slumberdown-teddy-fleece-mattress-enhancer.html

One of these on top of your mattress too.

jenpax Fri 10-Feb-23 12:08:33

I use a duck down duvet which is lovely and thick, a fleece fitted sheet and go to bed in my thickest PJ’s I pre warm the bed with a hot water bottle too. The worst bit is getting out of bed 🥶 I cant work out the timer on the heating so I wake to a freezing house 😳 its a large old Edwardian house with high ceilings and a stone floor in the kitchen 😱

Damdee Fri 10-Feb-23 12:09:19

I use a Snugglesafe Pet Heat Pad that you heat in the microwave-they stay warm much longer than a normal hot water bottle.

HannahLoisLuke Fri 10-Feb-23 12:10:34

I ever have the heating on at night, couldn’t afford it. Fortunately my house is well insulated and my bedroom only has one outside wall so I don’t need all those clothes and extra duvets. I wear a long sleeved pyjama top and my duvet is 9.5 tog. In extreme weather I’ve added a lightweight fleece throw on top of the duvet and have been very cosy. I do have an electric blanket but it’s in the loft asI haven’t needed it since about 2010. I’d be utterly miserable if I couldn’t get warm without all that restrictive clothing etc.
I’m sorryI can’t offer anything helpful but reading these posts I’d agree that an electric under blanket would be my answer too. They’re not expensive, cheaper than running the heating anyway. I would recommend getting one that goes on the bed like a fitted sheet rather than one with ties. They fit better, stay in place without wrinkling and are easy to put on the bed. You should also get it safety checked every year. Boots used to do this as a free service, not sure if that’s still the case.
Hope you find a solution.

caci Fri 10-Feb-23 12:11:44

As others have said, the smaller the area, the easier it is to keep it warm. I've seen pictures of people sleeping on mattresses in small free standing tents pitched in their bedrooms, but maybe that idea isn't ideal for those here on Gransnet ! Having said that, IKEA sell bed tents which go over a child's single bed , so it might be do-able.

Doglessfornow Fri 10-Feb-23 12:19:14

I wrap myself in a huge fleece throw, then into bed with winter weight duvet.
I have two throws so I can be using one while the other is in the wash.

micmc47 Fri 10-Feb-23 12:29:22

Invest in a good quality electric under- blanket, which costs just a few pence to run overnight. Ours has three settings. We turn it on to 3 about an hour before bedtime. The bed is toasty warm when we get in. We then turn it down to 1 , where it remains on all night giving a gentle background heat. No need to suffer. Lots of choice out there, and they're not expensive. Do go for a well-known brand though, as they will have all the necessary safety features. Never buy second hand, and replace at least every 10 years.

Dancinggran Fri 10-Feb-23 12:48:23

I have a fleece blanket under the sheet. I also have an electric oil filled heater in my bedroom which I put on an hour or two before going to bed, when it has been particularly cold I've turned it down and left it on all night - I waken up if my nose gets cold. I can't say it's expensive to use and using that you are only heating one room not the whole house.

Tammie12 Fri 10-Feb-23 12:53:40

I must be the exception to the rule, I have no heating in the bedroom and a small window open in all weather. I sleep with no clothes on, and just a normal 10.5 quilt. I do have two hot water bottles when I first get into bed but I think my main warmth comes from my cat who curls up on top of the quilt between my knees, she is there all night and I’m so warm

Bromley Fri 10-Feb-23 12:57:12

I have electric blanket,duvet and blanket. I wear socks,pyjamas,long T-shirt,jersey and a cardigan! Hot water bottle too.It’s the breathing cold air and a freezing cold nose that I hate. I have to put up with that.