As Britain endures its fifth heatwave of the summer, millions of people are struggling to get a decent night's sleep. There are few things more infuriating than lying in bed, overheated and restless, desperately trying to drift off. That familiar feeling of being hot and uncomfortable while tossing and turning is something many of us know only too well.
Electric fans are a go-to solution for cooling bedroom air, yet they can be noisy, costly to run and tend to circulate dust and pollen, leaving rooms feeling even more stuffy.
The Towel Trick That Cools Your Room
Thankfully, there is an alternative approach to cooling your bedroom that doesn't involve a fan. In fact, all you need is a simple bathroom towel.
The Clever Hacks YouTube channel recommended placing a damp towel by bedroom windows overnight, claiming it has "helped them a lot" during bouts of hot weather. They advised hanging your wet towel over a window during the evening. "The moisture will make the room noticeably cooler right away," they said, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Windows can absorb a significant amount of heat throughout the day, particularly when temperatures peak. The air surrounding the window also heats up and becomes trapped within the room. Once you draw your curtains at night, this warm air becomes sealed inside. The damp towel works by drawing in the hot air, enabling the water to evaporate and cool the air before it flows around your home, ultimately helping you to enjoy a far more restful night's sleep.
How to Keep Your Bedroom Cool at Night
Fill a sink or bowl with cold water and lightly moisten your towel. Wring it out so that it isn't soaking wet. If the towel is too wet, air will struggle to pass through it.
Take your damp towel to an open window. Either hang it in front of the window like a curtain, or place it along your windowsill. Even in still conditions, the towel will continue to bring the temperature down. Alternatively, you could hang a damp towel across a doorway.
Once it has dried out, simply re-wet it. Your bedroom should feel considerably more comfortable for a good night's sleep.
