How to Stay Cool Without AC

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Learn how to cool yourself down fast with these easy tricks
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Heat making you miserable? We get it! It can be really tricky to sleep or get anything done when you’re sweaty and hot, especially if you don’t have air conditioning. But worry no more because we’re here to help. Check out the tricks below on how to cool down . Plus, we even talked to air conditioning technician Victor Belavus to bring you plenty of tips on how to keep your home cool without an AC unit.

1

Put a wet handkerchief on your neck.

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  1. Wrap it around the back of your neck for some instant heat relief. When the cloth dries out, just get it wet again and repeat the process as needed! [1]
    • Keep in mind that the handkerchief might drip down your back and get your shirt a bit wet with this method.
    • If you’re outside in the heat often, consider investing in a cooling rag . These are specifically designed to keep you cool once they’re wet.
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2

Run cool water on your wrists.

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  1. This cools down your pulse points when the heat is just too unbearable. Of course, you can’t run cool water over your wrists the entire day, but you can come back to the faucet whenever you need a moment of relief! [2]
    • If you’re outdoors and there’s no tap nearby, try dipping your wrists into a cool running stream, brook, or pour water on them.
3

Get your hair wet.

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  1. This cools down your core body temperature. Repeat this as often as needed to stay cool on a hot day with no AC! [3]
    • If you're outside and happen to be near a clean body of water, try dunking your head in the water to wet your hair.
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4

Spritz yourself with cool water.

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  1. Can't get to a pool and need instant relief? Set a spray bottle filled with water to mist and spritz your exposed skin. To cool off even more, stand in front of a fan. [4]
    • You can also use a water misting fan . These handy portable devices are battery-operated so you can take them with you wherever you go. As you mist and fan yourself, the water evaporates on your skin, giving you an instant cooling sensation.
5

Rig a DIY air conditioner with a fan and ice.

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  1. 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.
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6

Take a cold shower or bath.

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  1. 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] Belavus recommends that if you’re having trouble getting to sleep because of the heat to 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.
7

Close windows and blinds during the day.

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  1. Block the sun's rays so your home doesn't absorb more heat. As soon as the temperature outside starts to rise, close your windows and lower your blinds. If you have curtains, close them. Your home might become dark inside, but it should stay cool! [8]
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8

Open the windows at night.

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  1. Take advantage of cooler nighttime temperatures by opening the windows as soon as the temperature starts to drop. Open as many windows as you can so you get good circulation. [10]
    • If you don't want to sleep with your windows open, shut them before you go to bed and open them up in the morning before it starts heating up.
9

Swap out your bedding with cool sheets.

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  1. Put silk , satin , or cotton sheets on your bed. It's hard to sleep when it's hot out ! If you've got polyester or flannel sheets, swap them out for cool, breathable fibers. Take off comforters or heavy blankets and sleep with a single sheet to stay even cooler. [11]
    • You may have heard recommendations to soak your sheets in cold water before you go to bed. However, this isn't a good idea since the sheets will warm up quickly and the moisture can make them mildew.
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10

Move your mattress to the floor.

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  1. Sleep on the floor where the air is cooler. Since warm air rises, consider putting your mattress on the ground where it's slightly cooler. If you have a basement, you could also sleep down there in a sleeping bag on nights when it's particularly hot. [12]
    • If you have a way to hang a hammock in your home, give it a try! You'll get better air circulation, so it might be easier for you to fall asleep.
11

Turn on box or ceiling fans.

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  1. 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. [13]
    • If you have a chimney in your home, Belavus suggests opening the flue at night so the hot air can rise out of your home and cooler night air can get in. [14]
    • 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.
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12

Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting clothes.

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  1. 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. [15]
    • 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.

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  1. 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. [16] Drinking cold beverages might also make you feel cooler. [17]
    • 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!
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14

Stock up on cool treats to eat.

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  1. 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. [18]
    • 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

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  • Question
    Does drinking water cool you down?
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do I cool down fast?
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Check your community for cooling centers that open up during a heatwave. You may be able to go to an air-conditioned library, school, or community center to cool off. [19]
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      • Don't forget to turn off things that generate heat like lights, the oven or stove, and electronic devices that are drawing energy.
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      • If your garage is under the living areas of your home, leave your hot car outside to cool off before you park it in the garage.
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      • Take a shirt (silk works best) and soak it in water for about a minute. Then put it on! You can do this in the day or night! If you have a fan in your room turn it on while wearing the wet shirt for maximum coolness.
      • In the mornings, don't make your bed! I know it may look messy, but throughout the day, if you open the window in your bedroom, it allows cold air to make your bed nice and cool when you get into it at night.
      • Drink lukewarm water instead of cold water. When you drink cold water, it makes you warmer, since your body thermoregulates to balance it out.
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      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.
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      • 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. [20]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/heat-stress/about/illnesses.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html
      2. ↑ https://www.uclahealth.org/news/6-cold-shower-benefits-consider
      3. ↑ https://www.sleepapnea.org/40-tips-for-sleeping-during-a-heat-wave-when-you-dont-have-ac/
      4. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2799322/
      5. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/how-to-cool-a-room-during-summer
      6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-cold-showers-good-for-you/
      7. ↑ Victor Belavus. Air Conditioning Specialist. Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/hot-weather-advice
      9. ↑ Victor Belavus. Air Conditioning Specialist. Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.
      1. ↑ https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/hot-weather-advice
      2. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/sleeping-when-its-blistering-hot
      3. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/sleeping-on-the-floor
      4. ↑ https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/fans-cooling
      5. ↑ Victor Belavus. Air Conditioning Specialist. Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.
      6. ↑ https://oem.santaclaracounty.gov/disaster-preparedness/hot-weather-safety
      7. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/water.html
      8. ↑ Victor Belavus. Air Conditioning Specialist. Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.
      9. ↑ https://www.msvu.ca/does-ice-cream-really-cool-you-down/
      10. ↑ https://emergency.cdc.gov/newsletters/epic/062619.htm
      11. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21812-heatstroke

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      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!

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