5 life hacks to help you in winter weather

If you haven’t heard already, there is a winter storm coming and many of you are headed out to your local hardware and grocery stores to prepare for it.

Obviously, having a shovel and a snow blower will help you dig out after the storm arrives. Hopefully you have also stocked up on food, water, milk, toilet paper and all of the other essentials needed while you camp out at home while white stuff falls.

While most of you have planned out how you will survive the upcoming weather, here are some life hacks that could make your life easier when the snow finally arrives.

1) Use non-stick cooking spray on your shovel to help the snow come off

We know how backbreaking shoveling your driveway and sidewalks can be, but non-stick cooking spray will help prevent snow and ice from sticking and building up on your shovel and will help make digging easier for you.

2) Use rubbing alcohol and water to de-ice your windshield

When you do dig your car out during or after the storm, instead of blasting your vehicle’s defroster full blast to melt the ice off your windshields, you can make a simple solution to melt the ice instead. Fill a spray bottle with 2/3 rubbing alcohol and 1/3 water. Because rubbing alcohol has a lower freezing point than water, it will help get the ice off your windshield and windows much quicker.

3) Use hand sanitizer to help unlock frozen door handles

That item you keep in your purse or pocket can be also handy for something other than keeping your hands clean. Because hand sanitizer also contains alcohol, dipping your key in it might just be the key to help you from being locked out.

4) Using socks to cover your windshield wipers

If you got extra old pair of tube socks hanging around, using them to keep the snow off your wipers could save you some time getting your car snow and ice-free.

5) Use zip ties to create snow tires for your bike

If you are using a bike to get around in the snow and ice, placing zip ties at even intervals will help you get more traction on the ground.

Bonus life hacks:
- Park your vehicle facing east so the sun will help you melt the snow and frost off.
- Waterproof your socks by putting sandwich bags over them.
- Keep cat litter or car mats around to help you get traction for your car if it gets stuck in snow.
- Cover your side mirrors with a ziplock bag to help prevent ice from forming.
- Use a hot water bottle to warm your bed before you get in it.