The Great 'Ways to keep cool' Hunt

Linda32

I'm another one who keeps the curtains closed. I think it does make a difference.

bluebag

Rainbow82 wrote: »

Firstly I apologise if there is already a thread for this, I'm on my phone and can't check too well.

Does anyone have any old style tips for keeping the house cool in the summer. Our house is currently absolutely boiling and there is no way we can afford the electric to run a fan (or even buy a fan lol), we are in a small first floor flat and can't have the windows open too wide because the cat likes to try to jump out if them even though he can go through the door! Do any good tips, curtains open or closed etc. Thankyou in advance for any replies.

Fans are quite cheap to buy and cost literally pennies to run.

A large floor standing fan will cost about £20 to buy, will last for years and cost about 12p to run it all day.

[Deleted User]

Where my brother lives in south western France you will always see the shutters closed during really hot spells to keep the sun out.Driving through his nearest village it looks as thoughits deserted and no one lives there but its just that all the houses are shut off from the sun for around three hours a day during the summer.I keep the curtains closed at the front of the house when the sun is at its hottest during the day and the windows open slightly,I also have the back door open so I can get a through draft which helps to cool things down a bit In the summer I use the spare room to sleep at night as its always a lot cooler in there

-taff

This will stop your cat jumping out too. Cheaper than cat flat for now anyway.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Insect-Mosquito-Screen-Window-Sticky/dp/B008RIQZ7Y

Eenymeeny

Have you got a loft hatch that you can open after the sun has gone down? I've just done this for half an hour before bedtime and all of the heat escapes upwards through the roof. Fabulous!
Unfortunately I'll have to close it before bed, someone is bound to walk into it, as it hangs low over the landing!:eek:;)

VJsmum

JackieO wrote: »

Where my brother lives in south western France you will always see the shutters closed during really hot spells to keep the sun out.Driving through his nearest village it looks as thoughits deserted and no one lives there but its just that all the houses are shut off from the sun for around three hours a day during the summer.I keep the curtains closed at the front of the house when the sun is at its hottest during the day and the windows open slightly,I also have the back door open so I can get a through draft which helps to cool things down a bit In the summer I use the spare room to sleep at night as its always a lot cooler in there

Last year we went to see the Amish in Pennsylvania and they do the same thing. Blinds drawn and windows closed - the blinds were always green, not sure if that is because it helps or just that's how you know the occupants are Amish. Boy was it hot there so they had to devise non-electrical ways of cooling

artydoll

How are you keeping cool in this heatwave ? My OH is really suffering with the heat ,I keep making cold drinks ,but he suffers with his breathing ,and hates this weather,He really is extra miserable and hates having to stay indoors

Fruball

I really suffered a few years ago after having 3 or 4 nights of almost no sleep when we had a heatwave. It was awful. I went out and bought a free standing air conditioning unit. Best money I ever spent. I can cope with the heat during the day knowing that I will have a lovely cool bedroom to sleep in!

Warm showers help - not cold because then the pores close up and won't sweat.

Wearing damp clothes or using a water spray to cool off by evaporation.

Keeping your feet in a tub of cool water can really help to cool down the whole body, as can splashing water on places like back of knees and inside elbows, back of the neck etc.

A bowl of ice in front of a fan helps to cool the air better than a fan alone.

A damp cloth on the head will help to cool the body.

good_advice

Have you got one of those chill packs in the fridge for bruises and sprains? I have been putting mine on my skin a bit to cool down.

Sent for a chillow pillow from Amazon.

Some people are putting chilled water in a hotwater bottle.

Anne_Marie_2

Drink plenty of water, not fizzy or sugary drinks. Also drink refreshing teas, any flavour, but mint is good, or a normal cuppa with a slice of lemon rather than milk. Avoid coffee, which is a diuretic.

Use a fan. If you have outside power source, you can use it outside.

Place damp facecloths or tea towels in a poly bag and keep them in the freezer. Really good placed on the back of your neck. Or use freezer ice blocks wrapped in a tea towel.

Keep windows and doors open to allow a breeze, but keep blinds and curtains closed if facing the sun.

In the car, place cardboard on the window screens (inside) whilst the car is not in use, to prevent the car heating up so much. (Or use those foil things that you get for in the winter to keep off the snow and ice).

Use a spray made up with water and a few drops of peppermint essential oil. It is brilliant for keeping you cool. Love it sprayed on my face (with eyes closed....and remember to take specs off, if you wear them).

Put your feet in a basin of cool water.

Can't think of any more at the moment.