11 free ways to stay cool in the heatwave using things you already have at home

Britain is baking in one of the hottest May heatwaves on record, with temperatures hitting the mid-30s in some parts of the country. Amber heat-health alerts have been issued across parts of England, and forecasters say the hot weather could last for several more days.

But while the sunshine is lovely, trying to stay cool can feel hard, especially if you don’t want to spend money on fans or air conditioning.

The good news is there are lots of simple ways to cool down for free using things you probably already have at home.

Here are some easy tricks to help you beat the heat without pushing up your bills.

1. Close your curtains during the day

Sunlight pouring through windows can make your home feel like an oven.

Keep curtains, blinds or even towels closed over sunny windows during the hottest part of the day. This helps trap cooler air inside.

2. Open windows at night

When the temperature drops in the evening, open your windows to let cooler air move through your home.

If you can, open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a breeze.

3. Freeze a hot water bottle

Hot water bottles aren’t just for winter.

Fill one with cold water and pop it in the freezer for a few hours. Then wrap it in a tea towel and keep it near your feet or hug it while sitting on the sofa.

You can do the same with a frozen bottle of water.

4. Put damp flannels in the fridge

A cold flannel on the back of your neck can cool you down quickly.

Keep a few damp flannels or tea towels in the fridge so they’re ready when you need them.

5. Stay downstairs if you can

Heat rises, so upstairs rooms are often much hotter.

If possible, spend time downstairs during the hottest part of the day.

6. Switch off things you’re not using

TVs, lamps, game consoles and chargers all give off heat, so turning them off at the plug can help keep rooms cooler.

These are often called “vampire devices” because they still use electricity even when you think they’re off or on standby.

By switching them off properly, you could save around £50 to £100 a year on your electricity bill, depending on how many devices you have at home and how often they’re left on standby.

It’s a small habit, but it adds up - and during a heatwave it also helps reduce extra heat building up in your home.

7. Drink more water

It sounds simple, but drinking enough water really helps.

Try filling a jug or bottle and keeping it in the fridge so you always have cold water ready.

Adding ice cubes or frozen fruit can make it feel more refreshing.

8. Sleep with cotton sheets

Thick bedding can make hot nights feel even worse.

Use light cotton sheets if you have them and ditch extra blankets.

You can even put your pillowcase in the freezer for a few minutes before bed.

9. Make your own fan cooler

If you already have a fan, place a bowl of ice or frozen bottles of water in front of it.

The fan blows the colder air around the room and can make it feel cooler.

But make sure you only turn the fan on when you’re in the room. Fans cool people, not spaces, so there’s no point leaving them running all day if nobody’s there.

Most fans are fairly cheap to run but leaving one on for hours at a time can still add extra costs to your electricity bill, especially during a long heatwave. A typical fan can cost around 1p to 3p an hour to run, which could add up to around 30p a day if left on nonstop.

10. Avoid using the oven

Cooking with the oven can quickly heat up the whole house.

Try cold meals, salads, sandwiches or foods you can cook in the microwave instead.

It can also save you money. Using an oven regularly can add around £10 to £30 a month to your energy bill, depending on how often you use it and the type of oven you have. Switching to no-cook meals or using the microwave more during a heatwave can help keep those costs down.

11. Cool your wrists and feet

Running cold water over your wrists or feet for a minute or two can help cool your whole body faster.

It’s a quick trick that works surprisingly well.

Heatwaves can push bills up too

Hot weather can sometimes mean higher electricity bills if you’re using fans more often or washing clothes and bedding more regularly.

Trying small free tricks first can help you stay comfortable without worrying about extra costs.

If you’re struggling with household bills, there may be support available from your energy or water supplier.