Heat making you miserable? It's really tricky to get comfortable or sleep if you're sweaty and hot. If you don't have access to air conditioning, don't despair! There are some tricks you can use to stay cool when you're outside in the sun or inside without an AC unit. While you may want to invest in a few fans, you can try most of these tips without spending any money.

4

Spritz yourself with cool water.

5

Rig a DIY air conditioner with a fan and ice.

  1. Set a metal bowl of ice in front of a fan and direct it toward your room. Position the fan so it blows directly onto the ice. This is a really easy way to create an icy breeze that will cool your space. Then, just swap out the ice once it melts.[5]
    • You can also use a glass bowl to do this for similar results. Plastic bowls are less effective.
    • For a little less mess, fill a large plastic bottle 3/4 full with water and freeze it. Set the frozen bottle in front of the fan instead of using the bowl of ice. Then, just pop the bottle back in the freezer to harden. Keep in mind that this might be less effective than using a glass or metal bowl.
  2. Advertisement
6

Take a cold shower or bath.

  1. The cold water lowers your body's core temperature. If you've gone swimming on a hot summer day, you know how refreshing a dip in the pool can be. If you need to cool down at home, jump in the shower or take a cool bath.[6] If you're having trouble getting to sleep because of the heat, do this right before you go to bed.[7]
    • Can't take a shower or bath? No problem! Dip clean cloths in cold water. Then, lay these on your face, arms, and the back of your neck for an instant cool down.
11

Turn on box or ceiling fans.

  1. Pull cool air into your space while pushing out warm air. If you have ceiling fans, set them to run counter-clockwise so they pull up cool air from the floor. Want to use a box fan? Open a window and put the fan in it so it faces out. This draws hot air out of your room instead of just circulating it.[12]
    • If you have a chimney in your home, open the flue at night so the hot air can rise out of your home and more cool night air can get in.[13]
    • If you have an attic fan, open the windows and turn it on so it pulls the hot air up and out of your home.
  2. Advertisement
12

Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting clothes.

  1. Light-colored clothes made of natural fibers help sweat evaporate so you stay cooler. Now's the time to swap out artificial fibers like polyester for light, breathable fabrics made from cotton, linen, or silk. Natural fibers are breathable so you don't feel like the heat is trapped against your body.[14]
    • If you're going outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat and don't forget the sunscreen!
    • Avoid wearing dark clothes, too. Dark-colored clothing absorbs sunlight which can make you feel hotter than if you wear white clothes.
    • Skip socks and shoes which also trap heat. Instead, throw on a pair of sandals or go barefoot.
13

Drink water throughout the day.

  1. Keep water or sports drinks handy and sip them to replace lost fluids. When it's hot out, your body works extra hard to cool you down—you probably notice that you're sweating a lot more. Prevent dehydration by sipping water throughout the day—not just when you feel thirsty.[15] Drinking cold beverages might also make you feel cooler.[16]
    • If you're doing physical work or exercise while it's hot out, reach for sports drinks that replace sodium, chloride, and potassium that you lose when you sweat.
    • As refreshing as a cold cocktail might sound, skip the alcohol. It can actually cause you to lose more fluids. Sip on iced tea, flavored water, or a mocktail!
  2. Advertisement
14

Stock up on cool treats to eat.

  1. Reach for popsicles, frozen fruit, smoothies, or ice cream to cool you down. Grabbing something cold from the fridge or freezer is a classic way to cool yourself off that tastes great! Try to choose something light and refreshing, like a fruit sorbet or chilled watermelon. These also have fluids that can keep you hydrated.[17]
    • For a fun snack, rinse fresh grapes and stick them in the freezer. Then, pop a frozen grape in your mouth whenever you need a quick, cold treat. You can also enjoy frozen berries, but they may stain your fingers.
    • If you want to make your own popsicles, freeze your favorite fruit juice or smoothie in small paper cups with popsicle sticks stuck into them.

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Does drinking water cool you down?
    Victor Belavus
    Victor Belavus
    Air Conditioning Specialist
    Victor Belavus is an Air Conditioning Specialist and the Owner of 212 HVAC, an air condition repair and installation company based in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to HVAC and air conditioning units, Victor also specializes in furnace repair and air duct cleaning. He has over 10 years of experience working with HVAC systems.
    Victor Belavus
    Air Conditioning Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Yes! Any cool liquids may help cool you down, so drink something cold if you're feeling hot.
  • Question
    How do I cool down fast?
    Victor Belavus
    Victor Belavus
    Air Conditioning Specialist
    Victor Belavus is an Air Conditioning Specialist and the Owner of 212 HVAC, an air condition repair and installation company based in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to HVAC and air conditioning units, Victor also specializes in furnace repair and air duct cleaning. He has over 10 years of experience working with HVAC systems.
    Victor Belavus
    Air Conditioning Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Try taking a cool shower to lower your body temperature. This can help you feel cool and comfortable fast.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Babies, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are more prone to overheating. Be sure to keep an eye on at-risk members of your family, coworkers, and neighbors.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • If you experience high fever, confusion, nausea or vomiting, rapid pulse or breathing, headache, or fainting, get emergency medical treatment. These are all signs of heatstroke.[18]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

About This Article

Victor Belavus
Co-authored by:
Air Conditioning Specialist
This article was co-authored by Victor Belavus. Victor Belavus is an Air Conditioning Specialist and the Owner of 212 HVAC, an air condition repair and installation company based in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to HVAC and air conditioning units, Victor also specializes in furnace repair and air duct cleaning. He has over 10 years of experience working with HVAC systems. This article has been viewed 5,117,169 times.
155 votes - 84%
Co-authors: 290
Updated: November 24, 2022
Views: 5,117,169
Article SummaryX

To cool off without air conditioning, close your blinds during the day to keep the sun out so the temperature stays cool. Set up a few fans around your home to keep the air circulating and create a nice breeze. Set any ceiling fans in your home to rotate counterclockwise, which can actually cool the air off more. You should also keep your windows open at night to let cool air in, which will make it easier to sleep. Another thing you can try is freezing a water bottle and placing it at the foot of your bed to cool you off at night. You can even make your own AC by filling a bowl with ice and setting it in front of a fan. When you turn the fan on, it will blow a refreshing, cool breeze into your home. To learn how to make a do-it-yourself air conditioner and how to set up your fans to bring cool air into your home, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement