Experts recommend the 'DIY cool room' technique to protect your home in a heatwave — here's how to do it
Fortunately, experts have recommended a simple way of keeping your cool without sending your energy bills skyrocketing in a heatwave, and I'm going to try it immediately.
Jade Oliver, stylist at Express Bi-Folding Doors, suggests making a "DIY cool room" when a heatwave hits. The principle is simple: you don't have to cool down your entire home, just one room which can act as a safe space for you and your family when the heat gets a bit much.
Here's how it works.
"Focus on keeping just one room as your designated cool space," says Oliver, "ideally one that's naturally shaded."
My editor will be pleased to hear that in my home, this is my office. It sits underneath my upstairs neighbor's balcony, meaning it doesn't receive much direct sunlight.
Once you've chosen your cool room, you can focus all your energy and hacks into that one space, essentially leaving the rest of your home to absorb the warmth as opposed to cooling a space you're not even using.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
"Focus on keeping just one room as your designated cool space"
I don't have AC, so I need to get creative with how I keep my home cool. That means I turn to anything from the caveman method to the wind tunnel method to bring some cool to my home.
According to Oliver, you should "set up fans, keep blinds drawn, and move there during the hottest parts of the day to avoid overheating the entire house."
Once the hottest parts of the day are over, you can then turn your attention to bringing down the temperature in other parts of your home naturally, without sending energy bills soaring.
This fan is the perfect companion for hot weather. It's portable, rechargeable, can be used indoors or outdoor and comes with a detachable misting tank that'll cool you down even further. In our Shark FlexBreeze review, we said: "It cools you off like a cucumber in a lux grocery store". And with a $50 saving, it's an excellent deal for such a premium product.
My living room has huge glass doors that open to the garden, and it picks up a lot of heat in the summer, even with the blinds closed. So as part of following the "DIY cool room" technique, I'll make this space out of bounds until the worst of the heat is behind us.
But I still want to sit there in the evenings. So to bring temperature back down without cranking up the AC, you can turn to natural cooling techniques.
"Ventilate during the coolest parts of the day, typically early morning and late evening" says Oliver.
"Avoid leaving windows open in the middle of the day when the air outside is hotter than inside. Otherwis,e you risk letting in warm air and making your home even hotter."
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Buzz Feed
01-08-2025
- Buzz Feed
29 Things People Who Live In Hot Climates Swear By So You Can Stay Cool Or Melt Trying
A hands-free, bladeless personal fan that you can wear around your neck, with not one but *two* fans pointing directly at your face. Picture yourself strolling through sun-soaked streets, hiking trails, or lounging at an outdoor event with a gentle, refreshing breeze keeping you cool and comfortable. No more overheating or desperate searches for shade. An ice roller you can keep in your freezer so it's always prepped and ready to cool down your face and body on those unbearably sticky days. It's also a lifesaver for those scorching summer days when you're dealing with sunburns or migraines from the intense heat. A therapeutic cold cap if you deal with headaches, sinus pain, or even those annoying eye aches that just intensify during sweltering summer nights when your room feels like a sauna. Pop this cold cap into the freezer for a bit, let it chill, then throw it on before you hit the hay. Tons of reviewers swear by it — not just for pain relief, but also to help them drift off to sleep. A set of cooling towels you can soak in water, give a quick wring, then drape around your neck for instant, cooling relief. Think of it as your secret weapon against the heat on those days when stepping outside feels like walking into an oven. A set of satin pillowcases so you can wake up feeling cool, refreshed, and ready to tackle the day. Unlike cotton, satin actually stays cooler throughout the night, so you aren't drenched in sweat by the morning. Satin helps your skin retain moisture, preventing that dry, tight feeling in your face when you wake up. Plus, the smooth fabric creates less friction on your hair, which = fewer tangles, less frizz, and reduced breakage. An inflatable pool if you're anything like me and ready to bust out the swimsuit as soon as the temperature hits 65 degrees. Now you can kick back and sip on a glass of lemonade while cooling off, even if you've only got a tiny backyard. A high ponytail running cap to help you crush your fitness goals and look stylish while doing it. The back of this cap has a crisscross strap design with two openings, letting you rock a high- or mid-pony (no matter the thickness) to keep hair off your neck during workouts. It's giving sweaty, but make it ✨ fashion ✨. Or if you don't have long hair, a UPF 50 protective neck drape you attach to the back of your hat to protect your neck from those sunburns that always seem to catch you off guard. I mean, TBH, the back of my neck is the last place I would think of to apply sunscreen. A personal umbrella designed to clip right onto the back of your beach chair, ensuring you have your own shady oasis (even if the sun worshippers in your group are baking away). You can attach it to almost anything, be it a camping chair, a patio lounger, or even a railing at a soccer game. A cordless Shark Flex Breeze portable fan you can use while lounging at the beach, catching a quick nap, dancing at festivals, camping under the stars, or relaxing on the porch while the kids have a water balloon fight. This powerful machine can blow cooling air up to 70 feet, with five adjustable speed settings, a 12-hour battery life, and even a misting feature thanks to the integrated water tank. All this power is packed into a lightweight 5-pound design, making it a ~breeze~ (pun intended) to carry around. A pair of fluttery running shorts that'll keep you cool when the sun's out in full force. They're light, fluttery, and just what you need to stay comfortable while pounding the pavement or hitting the trails. An airtight cold-brew maker so you can prep your favorite coffee blend the night before and store it in the fridge for a perfectly chilled cup come morning! (No Starbucks run needed.) Plus, it's dishwasher safe so you can spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your delicious brew. A JavaSok to keep your iced lavender matcha with sweet cream cold foam (...or whatever your drink of choice is) cold instead of it becoming a sad, watered-down mess. According to reviewers, this insulated sleeve keeps drinks icy for houursss, making sure your bevvy doesn't melt away faster than your patience on a Monday morning. Plus, it'll keep your drink from sweating into your cup holder or all over your desk. A set of blackout thermal curtains designed to help insulate your room, blocking out that hot, glaring sunlight while keeping in your cool air as your AC works its magic. Bonus: No more being woken up with the sun if you like to sleep in on the weekends. A roll of faux ivy to give your pergola some much-needed shade on those sun-drenched days. It's an easy way to give your serene oasis some *filtered* sunlight, but you can also use it to cover unsightly wire fences, creating a lush green barrier to keep nosy neighbors out of your business. An adjustable mister made to cool you (and your surroundings) off by up to 20 degrees. Whether you're catching some rays on a lounge chair or just chilling on your patio, this mister can stand on its own or wrap around a structure with ease. A set of three lightweight racerback tanks perfect for those hot, sticky days when you're running out errands or just enjoying the sunshine thanks to their large arm cut-outs and super breathable fabric. A programmable AC booster fan with the power to supercharge your home's airflow while also lowering your energy bill. This nifty gadget is easily mounted onto your wall or floor registers, and it'll give your HVAC system the boost it needs to keep every room in your house perfectly comfortable with balanced cooling. And magnetic air vent deflectors that attach over your existing vents and can be adjusted to direct the airflow exactly where you want it for max efficiency. Now you can keep things comfy without cranking up the AC unnecessarily. A set of stackable stick-shaped ice molds that fit perfectly inside those reusable water bottles with a *tiny* opening at the top so you can finally enjoy refreshing, ice-cold water on even the hottest of days. A lightweight, breezy drawstring romper for the days when it's just so dang hot and you're not feeling sleeves, pants, or anything that would cling to your skin — but you still want to look put together. The drawstring design lets you adjust the fit to your liking so you can go from relaxed and comfy to chic and cinched in a snap. An outdoor misting system to attach under your awning, patio table umbrella, or pergola so that cool mist gently envelops you on a warm day. Just screw one end onto your garden hose and clip the rest around your preferred outdoor lounging area. No sweat (literally). A set of breathable bamboo bed sheets in case you enjoy snuggling all night with your S.O. but do *not* enjoy feeling like you're sleeping on a bed of coals because your partner is a human heater. This soft, moisture-wicking material will prevent sweaty nights so you can still have a good night's sleep without waking up in a puddle of sweat in the morning. A reviewer-beloved mattress pad ready to greet you with a cool, comfortable surface that makes drifting off to sleep a breeze (especially if you tend to overheat). Plus, the added cushioning is like a little slice of heaven, making your bed feel more luxurious and cozy. It's like upgrading your mattress without having to buy a whole new one! A genius retractable window sunshade so you can step into your car on a scorching summer day and be greeted by a pleasantly cool seat (instead of a sizzling skillet for your thighs). It rolls out easily to cover your car windows, blocking those harsh, seat-melting rays. And when you're ready to hit the road, it retracts just as smoothly, leaving you with a cool, comfortable interior. Along with a heat-resistant steering wheel cover in case you're ever in a rush and hop out of the car without opening your sunshade — at least your steering wheel won't feel like hot lava when you return. A cool-to-the-touch bamboo fabric sleep set that'll have you counting down the minutes until you can slip into it. Made with light, breathable fabric, this set is perfect for anyone who always runs hot and needs a little extra help staying cool and comfortable in bed. A maxi dress worthy of being your hot girl summer uniform, especially if you like to stay more covered up. The short sleeves, flowy bottom, and non-clingy fabric are perfect for hot days, and reviewers *rave* about how comfortable it is — and how handy those pockets (!!!) are for stashing your phone or keys. A sleek Nuwave Brio 8-quart air fryer, because when it's blazing outside, the last thing you want is to crank up the oven and turn your kitchen into a sauna. This sleek appliance is like a culinary miracle worker, giving you crispy, golden perfection with just a fraction of the heat and time.
Tom's Guide
25-07-2025
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Experts recommend the 'DIY cool room' technique to protect your home in a heatwave — here's how to do it
When temperatures soar, your home becomes a safe space to escape the heat. But keeping cool can result in costly bills, and that's if you have the option of AC. Fortunately, experts have recommended a simple way of keeping your cool without sending your energy bills skyrocketing in a heatwave, and I'm going to try it immediately. Jade Oliver, stylist at Express Bi-Folding Doors, suggests making a "DIY cool room" when a heatwave hits. The principle is simple: you don't have to cool down your entire home, just one room which can act as a safe space for you and your family when the heat gets a bit much. Here's how it works. "Focus on keeping just one room as your designated cool space," says Oliver, "ideally one that's naturally shaded." My editor will be pleased to hear that in my home, this is my office. It sits underneath my upstairs neighbor's balcony, meaning it doesn't receive much direct sunlight. Once you've chosen your cool room, you can focus all your energy and hacks into that one space, essentially leaving the rest of your home to absorb the warmth as opposed to cooling a space you're not even using. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. "Focus on keeping just one room as your designated cool space" I don't have AC, so I need to get creative with how I keep my home cool. That means I turn to anything from the caveman method to the wind tunnel method to bring some cool to my home. According to Oliver, you should "set up fans, keep blinds drawn, and move there during the hottest parts of the day to avoid overheating the entire house." Once the hottest parts of the day are over, you can then turn your attention to bringing down the temperature in other parts of your home naturally, without sending energy bills soaring. This fan is the perfect companion for hot weather. It's portable, rechargeable, can be used indoors or outdoor and comes with a detachable misting tank that'll cool you down even further. In our Shark FlexBreeze review, we said: "It cools you off like a cucumber in a lux grocery store". And with a $50 saving, it's an excellent deal for such a premium product. My living room has huge glass doors that open to the garden, and it picks up a lot of heat in the summer, even with the blinds closed. So as part of following the "DIY cool room" technique, I'll make this space out of bounds until the worst of the heat is behind us. But I still want to sit there in the evenings. So to bring temperature back down without cranking up the AC, you can turn to natural cooling techniques. "Ventilate during the coolest parts of the day, typically early morning and late evening" says Oliver. "Avoid leaving windows open in the middle of the day when the air outside is hotter than inside. Otherwis,e you risk letting in warm air and making your home even hotter."
Buzz Feed
12-07-2025
- Buzz Feed
29 Cooling Products Reviewers In Hot Climates Swear By
A hands-free, bladeless personal fan that you can wear around your neck, with not one but *two* fans pointing directly at your face. Picture yourself strolling through sun-soaked streets, hiking trails, or lounging at an outdoor event with a gentle, refreshing breeze keeping you cool and comfortable. No more overheating or desperate searches for shade. An ice roller you can keep in your freezer so it's always prepped and ready to cool down your face and body on those unbearably sticky days. It's also a lifesaver for those scorching summer days when you're dealing with sunburns or migraines from the intense heat. A therapeutic cold cap if you deal with headaches, sinus pain, or even those annoying eye aches that just intensify during sweltering summer nights when your room feels like a sauna. Pop this cold cap into the freezer for a bit, let it chill, then throw it on before you hit the hay. Tons of reviewers swear by it — not just for pain relief, but also to help them drift off to sleep. A set of cooling towels you can soak in water, give a quick wring, then drape around your neck for instant, cooling relief. Think of it as your secret weapon against the heat on those days when stepping outside feels like walking into an oven. A set of satin pillowcases so you can wake up feeling cool, refreshed, and ready to tackle the day. Unlike cotton, satin actually stays cooler throughout the night, so you aren't drenched in sweat by the morning. Satin helps your skin retain moisture, preventing that dry, tight feeling in your face when you wake up. Plus, the smooth fabric creates less friction on your hair, which = fewer tangles, less frizz, and reduced breakage. An inflatable pool if you're anything like me and ready to bust out the swimsuit as soon as the temperature hits 65 degrees. Now you can kick back and sip on a glass of lemonade while cooling off, even if you've only got a tiny backyard. A high ponytail running cap to help you crush your fitness goals and look stylish while doing it. The back of this cap has a crisscross strap design with two openings, letting you rock a high- or mid-pony (no matter the thickness) to keep hair off your neck during workouts. It's giving sweaty, but make it ✨ fashion ✨. Or if you don't have long hair, a UPF 50 protective neck drape you attach to the back of your hat to protect your neck from those sunburns that always seem to catch you off guard. I mean, TBH, the back of my neck is the last place I would think of to apply sunscreen. A personal umbrella designed to clip right onto the back of your beach chair, ensuring you have your own shady oasis (even if the sun worshippers in your group are baking away). You can attach it to almost anything, be it a camping chair, a patio lounger, or even a railing at a soccer game. A cordless Shark Flex Breeze portable fan you can use while lounging at the beach, catching a quick nap, dancing at festivals, camping under the stars, or relaxing on the porch while the kids have a water balloon fight. This powerful machine can blow cooling air up to 70 feet, with five adjustable speed settings, a 12-hour battery life, and even a misting feature thanks to the integrated water tank. All this power is packed into a lightweight 5-pound design, making it a ~breeze~ (pun intended) to carry around. A pair of fluttery running shorts that'll keep you cool when the sun's out in full force. They're light, fluttery, and just what you need to stay comfortable while pounding the pavement or hitting the trails. An airtight cold-brew maker so you can prep your favorite coffee blend the night before and store it in the fridge for a perfectly chilled cup come morning! (No Starbucks run needed.) Plus, it's dishwasher safe so you can spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your delicious brew. A JavaSok to keep your iced lavender matcha with sweet cream cold foam (...or whatever your drink of choice is) cold instead of it becoming a sad, watered-down mess. According to reviewers, this insulated sleeve keeps drinks icy for houursss, making sure your bevvy doesn't melt away faster than your patience on a Monday morning. Plus, it'll keep your drink from sweating into your cup holder or all over your desk. A set of blackout thermal curtains designed to help insulate your room, blocking out that hot, glaring sunlight while keeping in your cool air as your AC works its magic. Bonus: No more being woken up with the sun if you like to sleep in on the weekends. A roll of faux ivy to give your pergola some much-needed shade on those sun-drenched days. It's an easy way to give your serene oasis some *filtered* sunlight, but you can also use it to cover unsightly wire fences, creating a lush green barrier to keep nosy neighbors out of your business. An adjustable mister made to cool you (and your surroundings) off by up to 20 degrees. Whether you're catching some rays on a lounge chair or just chilling on your patio, this mister can stand on its own or wrap around a structure with ease. A set of three lightweight racerback tanks perfect for those hot, sticky days when you're running out errands or just enjoying the sunshine thanks to their large arm cut-outs and super breathable fabric. A programmable AC booster fan with the power to supercharge your home's airflow while also lowering your energy bill. This nifty gadget is easily mounted onto your wall or floor registers, and it'll give your HVAC system the boost it needs to keep every room in your house perfectly comfortable with balanced cooling. And magnetic air vent deflectors that attach over your existing vents and can be adjusted to direct the airflow exactly where you want it for max efficiency. Now you can keep things comfy without cranking up the AC unnecessarily. A set of stackable stick-shaped ice molds that fit perfectly inside those reusable water bottles with a *tiny* opening at the top so you can finally enjoy refreshing, ice-cold water on even the hottest of days. A lightweight, breezy drawstring romper for the days when it's just so dang hot and you're not feeling sleeves, pants, or anything that would cling to your skin — but you still want to look put together. The drawstring design lets you adjust the fit to your liking so you can go from relaxed and comfy to chic and cinched in a snap. An outdoor misting system to attach under your awning, patio table umbrella, or pergola so that cool mist gently envelops you on a warm day. Just screw one end onto your garden hose and clip the rest around your preferred outdoor lounging area. No sweat (literally). A set of breathable bamboo bed sheets in case you enjoy snuggling all night with your S.O. but do *not* enjoy feeling like you're sleeping on a bed of coals because your partner is a human heater. This soft, moisture-wicking material will prevent sweaty nights so you can still have a good night's sleep without waking up in a puddle of sweat in the morning. A reviewer-beloved mattress pad ready to greet you with a cool, comfortable surface that makes drifting off to sleep a breeze (especially if you tend to overheat). Plus, the added cushioning is like a little slice of heaven, making your bed feel more luxurious and cozy. It's like upgrading your mattress without having to buy a whole new one! A genius retractable window sunshade so you can step into your car on a scorching summer day and be greeted by a pleasantly cool seat (instead of a sizzling skillet for your thighs). It rolls out easily to cover your car windows, blocking those harsh, seat-melting rays. And when you're ready to hit the road, it retracts just as smoothly, leaving you with a cool, comfortable interior. Along with a heat-resistant steering wheel cover in case you're ever in a rush and hop out of the car without opening your sunshade — at least your steering wheel won't feel like hot lava when you return. A cool-to-the-touch bamboo fabric sleep set that'll have you counting down the minutes until you can slip into it. Made with light, breathable fabric, this set is perfect for anyone who always runs hot and needs a little extra help staying cool and comfortable in bed. A maxi dress worthy of being your hot girl summer uniform, especially if you like to stay more covered up. The short sleeves, flowy bottom, and non-clingy fabric are perfect for hot days, and reviewers *rave* about how comfortable it is — and how handy those pockets (!!!) are for stashing your phone or keys. A sleek Nuwave Brio 8-quart air fryer, because when it's blazing outside, the last thing you want is to crank up the oven and turn your kitchen into a sauna. This sleek appliance is like a culinary miracle worker, giving you crispy, golden perfection with just a fraction of the heat and time.
