Fans will blow colder air and work better if you use one common kitchen item on them, according to a simple hack shared by Vikki from Lifestyle Homecare Services. The trick involves freezing a milk carton filled with water and placing it in front of the fan to circulate cooler air.
How the Trick Works
Fans are not designed to eliminate heat; they work by drying out the air around you, reducing that sticky, sweaty feeling. However, this does not genuinely bring your body temperature down. Vikki explained: "All you need to do is add something cold/frozen in front of the fan and the air being circulated should be much cooler than before. Freeze an old carton of milk filled with water and sit it in front of the fan."
Fans merely push air around a room, blowing heat away from your body temporarily, but that warm air remains trapped inside, meaning relief is short-lived. Placing ice in front of a fan is far more efficient, as the fan naturally draws heat from the surrounding air, which requires energy to melt or evaporate the ice. This means a frozen bottle will not just make the air feel cooler — it will actively strip away hot air before it reaches you, leaving you feeling considerably more comfortable throughout the day.
Why Milk Cartons Are Ideal
Any bottle will do the job, but milk cartons are the ideal choice as they are built to hold a generous amount of liquid and boast a larger surface area. Simply put, they are bigger, meaning they will absorb more heat than a standard water bottle and keep a room cool for considerably longer.
How to Make a Fan More Effective
To get started, fill a clean milk carton with water until it is roughly three-quarters full, then pop it in the fridge. Avoid filling the carton to the brim, as water expands when it freezes, so leaving a little space at the top will prevent it from splitting open.
Next, place a towel underneath the frozen milk carton to catch any condensation or melting water. Then position the fan in front of the carton, leaving a small gap to keep moisture away from the fan itself. Switch your fan on, and you should feel noticeably more comfortable straight away, no matter how scorching it gets this summer.
