Staying cool in this hot weather

MisnerSpace

I cut up some thick "moving house" cardboard boxes and  taped tin foil to them (shiny side facing outwards)  and then taped them to the kitchen windows  and  kitchen double doors that open on to the patio (both south facing). I also froze two 2 litre bottles of water and put them on the kitchen table as a heat sump around midday. This managed to keep the kitchen to 26C max even when it was 40C outside on the patio. I did make sure that the kitchen had filled up with cooler air in the early morning before closing the doors and windows. My partner thought I was bonkers and I'm not sure what the neighbours thought, but it did work, although a bit dark in a normally very bright kitchen!

CapricornLass

Move as many of your plants in hanging baskets and pots into the shadiest part of your garden, with saucers underneath to catch water.  However, if moving them into shade is impossible/ you can't lift them, then rather than watching them die though lack of water, put ice cubs on the surface of the compost .  It means a slow steady drip as the ice cube(s) melt, rather than just the water running straight through 30 seconds later.

My son found the cold water in front of his tower fan didn't really work for him.  However, hanging up his damp washing on an airer  in front of the fan did.