As the UK sizzles in another heatwave with temperatures pushing past a blistering 30°C, an expert has shared a simple home cooling hack: hanging damp towels in your windows.
How the Damp Towel Hack Works
According to Deyan Dimitrov, laundry specialist and founder of Laundryheap, an online laundry delivery service, the trick simply requires clean towels and cold water. He explained: "The cooling towel method involves hanging cold, damp towels around your home at key entry points, such as windows and doors, to help cool the indoor air. As the water evaporates from the surface of the towels, it cools the surrounding air, creating a natural cooling effect."
Draping damp towels before a fan can also deliver a cooling sensation to a space. The specialist advises refreshing towels with cold water every four hours to experience the full benefits.
UK Heatwave Temperatures
Weather experts predict temperatures could hit 32°C today (Friday, June 19), with a string of amber warnings in force across much of southern England. The Met Office states there is a 40% likelihood of surpassing the highest ever June temperature of 35.6°C, recorded in 1957 and 1976. The amber alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, covers London, the South East, the South West, and the East of England, and is set to remain in place until 8pm on Tuesday (June 23).
The amber level of alert refers to the increased demand on health services used by vulnerable people and those over 65 with pre-existing health conditions. With the UK set to be hotter than Barbados this weekend, the UKHSA also highlights the risk of water-related incidents, including cold-water shock and drowning.
Additional Cooling Tips
Experts also urge people to cool their homes by opening one particular door: the loft window. Mikey Story of UK Flat Roofing & Insulation Specialists explains that the upper floor is typically the warmest part of the home because hot air rises. He told Grand Designs Magazine: "Opening your loft hatch can help you cool down your entire home significantly. If your loft has a window, opening it allows warm air to exit through the highest point of the house. This method works best if your loft is insulated between the rafters."
