Eco and Budget Friendly Tips to Beat the Summer Heat

18+ ways to Cool while saving water & energy

Having grown up in Texas and spent most of my summers between there and the south of France, I’ve had plenty of practice testing out different tips to navigate extreme summer heat.

With the heatwave hitting most of the world, I hope these tips can help you feel a little cooler and more comfortable too:

ENERGY & WATEr-saving tips

• Line-dry laundry outside. This is obviously harder when you live in an apartment but if you can set up a drying rack near an open window that could be a good alternative or, if you need to use a dryer, using a dryer ball to cut down drying time)

• Water your plants / garden early in the morning or late at night to the water has time to soak in

• Use electronic appliances preferably at night & one at a time. Have you noticed how much heat appliances and electronic devices generate? I doubt you need your home to feel any warmer than it already is!

• Set your A/C to 5 degrees below the outdoor weather is generally a good rule of thumb. It’ll cool you down while keeping your energy bill reasonable and avoid extreme temperature shocks when you go outside.

• If, like me, you don’t have an A/C, placing a damp piece of fabric in front of your fan can help amplify its cooling effects. Also, make sure you have cooler air circulating from outside. A fan recirculating hot air can be worse than no fan!

• Reuse bath, dishwashing, or laundry water to flush toilets. This tip comes up a lot in eco-living Facebook groups, even though many people still consider it ‘gross’ or taboo.

• Reuse dishwashing water to keep your garden & plants hydrated

tips to stay cool & hydrated

• Keep your blinds closed or curtains drawn during the hotter daylight hours

• Open your windows nights / mornings to let the cooler air in 

• Keep a refillable misting spray bottle on hand, especially if you need to be out and about. I was skeptical at first but now I love it. I also recommend keeping a hand fan with you too.

• Put cool water in a thermos (with fresh mint for a little extra flavor) to drink it. I personally love infusing hot water with herbs and other delights (dried hibiscus flowers are a favorite of mine) then letting it cool to room temperature to have flavored water all day long. More motivating to stay hydrated than plain water. Less of a temperature shock to the system than iced tea.
• Place a bottle of water in the freezer, then take it out, wrap it in fabric and put it near you or near your fan.  
• When it’s hot, our appetite often takes a dip. Try focusing on preparing salads, smoothies, cold soups (gazpacho & co) with a variety of much needed nutrients and ones that have a high water content (cucumbers, watermelons, …). Preferably to be enjoyed at room temperature to avoid a big difference your body would need to adapt to.

• Avoid intense physical activity during hotter hours (I loved the culture of afternoon siestas when I lived in Spain)

• Wear natural, breathable fibers like linen & cotton (especially if they’re ethically & sustainably sourced + made)

• Put a wet piece of fabric on your head, neck & wrists. I’m particularly fond of cooling towels as the fabric is extra cooling when wet. My grandfather also used to stick cabbage leaves under his hat which apparently works wonders… but that might not be everyone’s cup of *iced* tea.

taking climate action (all year!)

No better time than the present to take action for our planet and all those we share it with, present and future:

• Vote for climate-friendly initiatives in upcoming elections in your area.

• Support forests & reforestation initiatives in your community & globally, since one of the many benefits of trees is that they help cool the atmosphere. One of my favorite ways to do this is by donating to One Tree Planted.
• Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and most vulnerable. Are they eating regularly and staying hydrated? Let’s avoid adding to heatwave casualties!

… And more!

Stay cool my friends!