A mother from Sheffield has shared a cost-free and straightforward method that she claims helps her entire family sleep soundly through the heatwave, as the UK braces for temperatures up to 39°C.
Mum's Simple Hack: Frozen Flannels for Instant Cooling
Laura Stenton-Slater, 37, swears by freezing wet flannels and placing them beside beds during hot nights. She soaks flannels in cold water, freezes them for an hour before bedtime, and then keeps them on a tray next to the bed. When she or her children wake up feeling hot, they place the frozen flannels on their necks or stomachs for instant relief.
"I tend to prepare them in advance whenever hot weather is forecast," Laura said. "The frozen flannels stay really cold initially and then gradually thaw. Even after they've melted, they remain pleasantly cool for quite a while." She emphasized wringing them out before freezing to avoid mess.
Heatwave Hits UK: Red Warning Issued
The Met Office issued a Red Extreme Heat Warning for Wednesday and Thursday, with forecasts predicting the UK's June all-time daily temperature record could be broken, reaching at least 39°C and possibly higher in some areas. The warning was extended by three hours until 23:59 on Thursday evening.
How the Hack Transformed Bedtime
Laura, head of bid management and mother of three, said the frozen flannels have "genuinely transformed bedtime" for her and her children during heatwaves. She used to spend hours tossing and turning in the heat. "Hot weather affects my sleep quite a lot. Once I feel overheated, I find it difficult to switch off and get comfortable," she explained.
She noted that fans, open windows, and cooling the room before bed help but don't solve the problem completely. "The frozen flannels are simple, inexpensive and effective because they cool you directly rather than trying to cool the entire room," she added.
Origin: Marathon Recovery Hack
The method originated during Laura's training for the London Marathon in 2026, which she completed wearing wellies to raise over £4,200 for the charity Unique. "It actually started as a recovery method rather than a cooling hack," she said. She used cold, wet flannels on sore leg muscles after long runs to reduce discomfort and aid sleep. When the UK experienced another heatwave after the marathon, she adapted the technique for cooling.
"One particularly hot night I was struggling to sleep and my children were too. I decided to wet a batch of flannels and put them in the freezer because I thought they'd stay colder for longer," Laura recalled.
Social Media Buzz: "Must Try This"
After posting the tip on her TikTok account @lauramuddysolesclub, Laura received enthusiastic responses. One follower commented: "Must try this." Another wrote: "Oh, this is a good one." A third remarked: "Great little tip that, Laura." One user declared: "Life hack." A fifth observer noted: "Saving for next summer in Aus."
Laura said: "Most people are surprised by how simple it is. I've had lots of positive reactions from people saying they can't believe they hadn't thought of it before."
