Ten ways to keep your home cool: From bowls of water left around the house, limiting using the fridge to putting your feet in cold water, the life hacks to survive the UK’s latest heatwave

Yesterday, Britons were treated to the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures rising to almost 35 degrees Celsius in some parts of the UK.

To combat the heat, many people sought refuge in parks and on the beach, as it became too hot to stay indoors.

However, experts have discovered that there are ways to keep your home cool on even the hottest days — without air conditioning.

According to the researchers, placing bowls of water outside, limiting appliance use and placing your feet in cold water can all help you stay cool. The Telegraph.

Below you will find the complete list of tips to keep your home cool in summer.

Place bowls of water throughout the house

Placing bowls of water around your home can act as a DIY air conditioner.

This works especially well when there is a gust of wind and you have a window open, for example, because the gusts of wind cause the water vapour to circulate through the house as it evaporates.

Limit the use of devices

Appliances such as kettles and refrigerators can make your kitchen hotter than you might expect.

Try to limit the use of these appliances as much as possible. In the case of the refrigerator, this means opening the door as little as possible.

When you open the refrigerator door, warm air enters. This air then has to use energy to reach the desired temperature.

This causes more warm air to be released through the back of the refrigerator, making the room warmer.

Close curtains AND windows

It may seem sensible to keep your windows open as long as possible on a hot day, but if it is warmer outside than inside, this will be counterproductive.

Instead, make sure you ventilate your home at night and keep the heat out as much as possible during the day.

That means we need to close both the curtains and the windows. Caroline Abrahams, director of Age UK, says we can learn from people in the Mediterranean, who face more of these problems than we do.

Be careful with greenhouses

Although conservatories may seem like a lovely place to spend a sunny day, they become like greenhouses when it gets too hot.

If temperatures are very high, avoid spending time in the conservatory and try to close all doors if possible to keep the heat that collects there inside.

Keep doors closed

Just like keeping windows closed can cause a loss of air circulation on the hottest days.

By keeping all doors closed, not just the conservatory doors, you can find the coolest room in the house and keep it cool.

Spend time in north-facing rooms

These cooler rooms are likely to face north, as the sun shines less here.

Try to close off these rooms as soon as possible, so that you need them most during the hottest hours of the day.

Use fans strategically

Fans can make a big difference when it comes to keeping your home cool. But be careful.

Fans can stir up dust and allergens into the air if they are not cleaned regularly or used with an air purifier.

Prolonged use of a fan can also dry out your skin, eyes, and nasal passages, so make sure your cooling strategy is balanced with your overall comfort and health.

Cool treats for the feet

Cooling anything near our feet can effectively cool our entire body. Consider putting socks in the fridge for a cooling sensation.

If you are sitting still, you can also fill a bucket with cold water and immerse your feet in it.

As with the bowls of water, you can try to save the water you use by using it to water the plants.

For the rest of your body, you can fill a hot water bottle and freeze it. You can then use it as you would in the winter.

Another good way to cool down your body is to wrap a wet towel around your shoulders.

Throw away the duvet

It may seem obvious, but if you are too warm at night, a duvet is not necessary.

If you still need that reassuring feeling of something around you, try using a sheet or duvet cover.

And for the most breathable bedding, it’s best to use 100% cotton. The same goes for pajamas.

Cook later

Cooking in the middle of the day can be deadly if you want to keep your kitchen cool.

Avoid fried foods or hot lunches late in the morning and opt for a later dinner. This way you can be sure that you are not sacrificing the temperature in your home for a hot meal.

In any case, it can be more pleasant to eat cold dishes such as salads on the hottest days.