The holiday cottage on a cold Easter weekend
Short answer: Easter is often the first trip to the holiday cottage after winter, and the house can be cold and damp. By heating up early, airing the rooms and bringing the right things, the Easter days can feel cosy rather than chilly.
A house that has stood cold
A holiday cottage that has been closed all winter is cold right through its walls and furniture. Even though the air warms up after a few hours of heating, it usually takes a day or more before walls, floors and mattresses have warmed through. Until then the house feels cool, and cold surfaces can leave bedding and pillows feeling slightly clammy to the touch, which is not pleasant on the first night.
Air out and warm up
Open the windows for half an hour when you arrive to let the stale air out. Then close them and turn on the heating. Warm air can hold more moisture, and as the house warms up you can remove the dampness with short, strong airings. If the cottage has a wood burner or heat pump, get it going straight away. Avoid closing the doors to unused rooms completely, so the warmth spreads through the whole house.
Bedding that has been stored
Duvets, pillows and bedding may have absorbed moisture over the winter. Take them out as soon as you arrive and put them in a warm room so they can dry out before use. It is a good idea to bring fresh pillowcases from home. See bamboo pillowcases, which take up little space in a bag and feel clean and smooth on the first night.
Clothing for cold Easter days
Easter weather can switch between sunshine and frost on the same day. Pack layers that can be combined: a thin jumper, a warmer layer and a windproof jacket. For the night, bring both light and warm sleepwear. Many people sleep in long legs for the first nights and change to something shorter once the house has warmed up. See bamboo Night Shorts for Women if you want a light option for the warmer nights.
Towels and the bathroom
The bathroom in a holiday cottage is often the coldest room. Turn the heating on there first, and bring your own towels if the ones in the house have been stored for a long time. See bamboo towels, which dry relatively quickly, an advantage in a house where the air is still cool and damp. Hang them up to dry after each use.
Before you close up the house again
Wash and dry all bedding and towels before you leave, or take them home with you. Damp textiles left behind in a cold house can start to smell or develop mould spots. Air the house one last time, and leave cupboard doors slightly open so the air can move. That makes the next visit much easier and keeps the cottage fresher between trips.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to warm up a holiday cottage
The air warms up in a few hours, but walls and furniture can take a day or more.
Should duvets from the cottage be washed after winter
Not necessarily, but air them thoroughly and let them dry in a warm room before using them.
What should I pack for Easter at the cottage
Layers you can combine, both light and warm sleepwear, and ideally your own bedding and towels.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
