Stop the draft
With the wind the United Kingdom has been having lately my mind turned to my great hero, Ebenezer Scrooge, who invested in heavy curtains to keep out the draughts and the ghosts. Why my mind went there I have no idea, but it did prompt me to look at using curtains to cut down on heat loss through draughty doors and windows.
For years the material used has been made from heavy cottons that are responsible for a third of the worlds use of harmful chemicals and man made fertilisers, bad not only for the environment, the farmers and workers but for the consumer. The cotton, treated with chemicals to whiten the fabric, breaks down over time giving off harmful vapours into our homes and workplaces.
However, there are a number of companies who now produce organic cotton material with stabilised natural colour prints. These really do make a difference from the organic cottons of just five years ago when the shades available were off white or oat meal. Have a look at www.householdandgardenaddresses.co.uk for some ideas or the established designer Emily Todhunter who has branched out into organic hemp for a thicker, soft alternative. www.todhunterearle.com Another lead is the company that produces luxurious fabrics in a non-toxic, ethical and sustainable way by the community businesses they support, Ecotextiles. www.ecotextiles.com
Not wanting to buy new then there are a number of agencies who have a curtain exchange service so you can go on line or visit the shop and pick up good quality, second hand curtains. www.thecurtainexchange.co.uk And for those in search of something different there is also the vintage curtains flooding in from Eastern Europe to be found on ebay (just make sure you know what you are buying so there are no surprises) or www.countryhouseantiquetextiles.co.uk
What ever you choose, by stopping heat loss at dusk through uncovered doors and windows you will bring heating costs down, thus helping reduce your carbon footprint whilst keeping the family cosy too.
