How to keep your cool inside when the weather’s hot

The heat of summer has officially arrived. While pool days and summer nights are great, the temperatures in July and August can be stifling.

Whether you’re trying to keep the AC from blasting or you don’t have it at all, we’re going to offer a few ways to keep temperatures down in the house.

Simple adjustments

Several are common-sense tips, but a few might surprise you. You’re likely already closing the blinds against the sun and heat during the day. But are you turning your ceiling fans counter-clockwise? Are you turning the exhaust fan on in the kitchen to blow out the heat from the stove?

If your washer and dryer are in the house, consider putting off drying clothes until the cooler hours.

Let the breeze blow

A good fan is a great investment. Look for an oscillating fan, or one that blasts right at you and tilts up and down. Your nearby Lowe’s or Home Depot will offer a great selection. Put a mixing bowl full of ice in front of that fan, and you’ll be surprised by how cool that breeze will be.

Chill out at night

Not much is as miserable as trying to sleep through a heat wave. What won’t help is any kind of sheet that isn’t made of a breathable fiber. Put away the flannel and look for cotton sheets. And if you’re truly desperate, try misting them lightly (you don’t want a soggy mattress) before you turn in. Slightly damp sheets, or a barely damp nightshirt, will really help cool you off.

Let there not be light

Your biggest bet when it comes to keeping the house cooler in summer and warmer in winter has to do with those windows. It’s where a whole lot of heat sneaks in. So even inexpensive blinds are better than no blinds at all. Or buy some heavy drapery that will block the heat and sun. It’s the only heavy fabric that comes in handy this time of year. They don’t have to cost a lot. Target.com has tweed curtain panels for $24.99.

Cool yourself

If all else fails, remember that your great-grandmother, and probably your grandmother, didn’t have the modern marvel of AC in the house. They knew that a cool cloth at the neck and a cold beverage in the hand worked wonders in the hottest days of summer.

This story was originally published July 16, 2016 at 9:04 PM with the headline "How to keep your cool inside when the weather’s hot."