In the hotter months, it seems like every little thing takes extra effort.
Even getting a good night’s sleep seems impossible without blasting the air conditioning for hours on end.
If you don’t have the luxury of an air conditioning unit or central air, getting relief from the heat may be a daunting task, but there are little tricks you can use to stay cool without busting the bank or breaking a sweat.
In fact, each trick listed below takes less than 15 minutes to set up.
5 DIY Cooling Tricks
Macgyver your way to a nice cool breeze!
1. Minimalist Solution
This little trick is perfect for college students or anyone on a shoestring budget.
All you need is a shallow bowl, some ice, and a small fan.
Place the ice in the bowl so that it makes a small mound. Place the bowl in front of the fan and start it at a low-to-medium speed setting. That’s it ! Replace the ice as it melts to stay nice and cool. Freeze the melted ice again for a continuous cycle of cold air.
2. Cooling Curtains
If you have lightweight cotton curtains, spray them with cold water and open your windows. The cold water should chill the breeze slightly and leave you feeling refreshed. You can also use a damp sheet if your curtains aren’t suited for the job.
3. Window Timing
It’s no secret that it’s a lot colder at night outside than it is in the afternoon. Take advantage of this natural heat cycle by keeping your windows open at night to let the cold air in and keeping them closed during the air to keep it in. You can also point the back of a fan towards your open window to force the cold air in.
4. Turn Off Your Electronics
Electronics radiate heat, especially your dishwasher and cooktop. Even smaller appliances like lamps and computers produce heat, so try to unplug on particularly hot days. Skip the oven and treat yourself to cold, raw food when the heat just isn’t letting up.
5. Make Your Own Air Conditioner
You’ll need:
- A small fan
- A plastic cooler
- A Dryer vent
- Duct tape
- A razor
- A marker
Instructions:
- Trace the outline of the fan (face down) and vent on the top of the cooler, leaving a significant space between each one.
- Cut out the tracings and discard the excess plastic. Be conservative: cut closer to the lines and adjust to make it bigger if necessary.
- Cut off 10” from the dryer vent.
- Bend it into an L shape and place it in the designated hole, securing it with duct tape.
- Fill the cooler with ice or frozen water bottles.
- Place the lid on the cooler and place the fan over the remaining hole.
- Turn on the fan and enjoy!