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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can't stand the heat in my house anymore, any advice please I'm desperate!

171 replies

ColdandFrosty1 · 14/07/2021 19:13

Shameless posting for traffic sorry!

My house is ridiculously hot in this weather (currently at 29 degrees) and I honestly can't stand it anymore and have no idea if I can cope throughout the summer! It's all on one floor with open plan living/dining and 2 bedrooms. There is no shade anywhere from near by trees. The sun rises and shines directly into one side of the house and then from the afternoon it shines directly into the other side of the house leaving it all boiling. There are no big houses or buildings that can provide shade.

Fans do nothing but blow the hot air around and same with the windows (unless There is a nice breeze). I've tried white and black black out blinds which only helps a little. My front door is boiling hot to touch.

This must seem so trivial to most people but I'm spending these hot days miserable and uncomfortable and have been contemplating living elsewhere in the summer. Cooking dinner is hard with the extra heat as is running my sons bath, its making me angry and irritable too Sad

Any tips would be appreciated so so much!

OP posts:
BridgeOfLies · 14/07/2021 22:44

I agree with Hopeisnotastrategy we are also somewhere that can be very hot Close all the windows during the day. If you don't already have them, buy blackout liners for your curtains and keep the curtains closed during the day. Only open the windows and curtains when it's cooler at night. A misting fan might help, they would be much cheaper than aircon.

justasking111 · 14/07/2021 22:54

When abroad with a pool I would swim at night then go to bed wet with a sheet over me which got wet blissful. So cool shower and a sheet here. Some people sleep in the garden on a trampoline at night 😅

ColdandFrosty1 · 14/07/2021 23:01

@justasking111 that would be the dream Grin

OP posts:
Fros · 14/07/2021 23:02

Keep the sun out: think thick lined curtains kept closed, blinds closed, static-cling reflect or tint film (yes I have all three on the south side, it helps). If it's warmer outside that in, keep the doors/windows shut, if it's cooler open them while they're in shade.

Clothes: instinct is to strip off, but a loose garment in a moisture wicking/natural fabric can stop skin sticking together (or chafing), if it's hot but not humid, damp clothes can help, but if it's too humid, you just end up hot and damp

Sleep: again if it's not too humid a damp/wet blanket can help, I prefer to use a large bath sheet/towel as it holds the moisture better. Avoid eating or drinking alcohol for a few hours before bed. Large cooling mats (ones marketed for large dogs may be cheaper for the same product) and cool them in the fridge/freezer until bedtime, they'll keep you cooler until the gel warms through - I have two and swap them in the middle of the night. I also brought a bulk lot of reusable koolpaks - a frozen one in the pillow is great. Try to keep yourself (and your body heat) out of the room until you're ready to sleep. A fan on your bedside table feels nice, but one in an open window can help get cooler air circulating at night. If you can't get to sleep at night, try split sleeping: sleep in the afternoon/evening, then get up until the early hours, then sleep again at the coolest part of the night.

Day: frozen koolpaks - sit on them, stick one in your waistband and/or bra, use a light scarf to keep one in place by your neck, have one under your feet. If possible, try to keep your hair damp or if it's long tie it back.
Try not to add heat - turn electronics off, eat meals that don't need cooking/heating, lukewarm showers or cool baths, turn fans off if you leave the room, avoid hair straighteners, blow driers, ironing, etc if possible.

Avoid things that raise your temperature - heavy (or any) exercise, carb heavy meals/large meals, lots of sugar/alcohol/dairy/fizzy pop.
I understand the science behind hot drinks, but I prefer cold drinks in hot weather, usually water with ice, a thermos helps keep it cool - especially overnight.

Mint - original source mint (and tea-tree?) shower gel has a cooling effect, as does mint toothpaste/mouthwash. Personally I find sugar free mint gum helps too though that might be a placebo effect.

On preview just seen your update - could you both "camp" in the playroom if that's the coolest room?

ColdandFrosty1 · 14/07/2021 23:04

@Shuffleuplove and my son hardly touches anything I make him anyway so if we both just live of scraps we will get the air con we deserve! Grin (I am joking incase anyone jumps). I find it also makes me really short tempered as well which isnt fair on him either. If he says no to doing something o'r is being extra noisy i just snap so much easier when it's hot! :(

OP posts:
Itsmeagainandagain · 14/07/2021 23:04

A cool shower and leave yourself to drip dry.... I do that before bed and feel cooler esp when wet hair is cooling you down

Timeisavirtue · 14/07/2021 23:04

I suffer with heat, anything over 20 is hot for me. We have a small air con unit, dp actually won another one and it’s much better. We use the other in a different room now. I can sit in the sun for 10 mins max.

Itsmeagainandagain · 14/07/2021 23:06

Another is freezing a bottle of water and letting it defrost and drink the water while it's one big ice cube... Then just topping up for instant cold water

ColdandFrosty1 · 14/07/2021 23:08

@Fros

Keep the sun out: think thick lined curtains kept closed, blinds closed, static-cling reflect or tint film (yes I have all three on the south side, it helps). If it's warmer outside that in, keep the doors/windows shut, if it's cooler open them while they're in shade.

Clothes: instinct is to strip off, but a loose garment in a moisture wicking/natural fabric can stop skin sticking together (or chafing), if it's hot but not humid, damp clothes can help, but if it's too humid, you just end up hot and damp

Sleep: again if it's not too humid a damp/wet blanket can help, I prefer to use a large bath sheet/towel as it holds the moisture better. Avoid eating or drinking alcohol for a few hours before bed. Large cooling mats (ones marketed for large dogs may be cheaper for the same product) and cool them in the fridge/freezer until bedtime, they'll keep you cooler until the gel warms through - I have two and swap them in the middle of the night. I also brought a bulk lot of reusable koolpaks - a frozen one in the pillow is great. Try to keep yourself (and your body heat) out of the room until you're ready to sleep. A fan on your bedside table feels nice, but one in an open window can help get cooler air circulating at night. If you can't get to sleep at night, try split sleeping: sleep in the afternoon/evening, then get up until the early hours, then sleep again at the coolest part of the night.

Day: frozen koolpaks - sit on them, stick one in your waistband and/or bra, use a light scarf to keep one in place by your neck, have one under your feet. If possible, try to keep your hair damp or if it's long tie it back.
Try not to add heat - turn electronics off, eat meals that don't need cooking/heating, lukewarm showers or cool baths, turn fans off if you leave the room, avoid hair straighteners, blow driers, ironing, etc if possible.

Avoid things that raise your temperature - heavy (or any) exercise, carb heavy meals/large meals, lots of sugar/alcohol/dairy/fizzy pop.
I understand the science behind hot drinks, but I prefer cold drinks in hot weather, usually water with ice, a thermos helps keep it cool - especially overnight.

Mint - original source mint (and tea-tree?) shower gel has a cooling effect, as does mint toothpaste/mouthwash. Personally I find sugar free mint gum helps too though that might be a placebo effect.

On preview just seen your update - could you both "camp" in the playroom if that's the coolest room?

Thats all really helpful thank you so much for taking the time to write it all out, I will definitely come back to read it when I'm struggling! We do spend a lot of time down there playing when it's hot and if he plays outside we can just come and sit in there inbetween goes. I dont find getting to sleep that hard as its lovely and cool at night with my windows open! X
OP posts:
Sparrowsong · 14/07/2021 23:18

Plant trees and shrubs for shade and cooling! They will also clean the air, trap polluting particles and store carbon, hopefully having a (collective) impact on limiting climate change temperature rises.

Aircon will add to the problem and make it hotter for everyone unless wholly powered by renewables.

Sparrowsong · 14/07/2021 23:20

Paint your house white to reflect away the sun’s heat.

Esspee · 14/07/2021 23:24

If you get a heat rash dust with Swan Brand Prickly Heat Powder. I used to buy it abroad but being stuck in this country I was delighted to be able to order it online.
About a minute after you apply it your skin feels icy cold. Like standing in front of an A/C unit.

JustATypo · 14/07/2021 23:28

I’m in Australia so that temp is considered normal or coolish for at least half the year. If you’re struggling, I’d suggest making sure your core body temp doesn’t rise too much, as long as your body temp stays manageable then you’ll be able to handle hotter air temp.

So .. other than the other suggestions that I’ve skimmed thru ... drink cold water, little sips often. Not room temp water but water from fridge. You dehydrate more in warm days but don’t necessarily realise it. So lots of little sips of cold water frequently.

Peoniesandpeaches · 14/07/2021 23:29

@Ambo21

For immediate (well almost) relief...cool towels from !mazon and other outlets are nothing short of miraculous.. just rinse in cold water. Snap the towel and drape over shoulders and neck.. Bliss... Just while you are waiting/saving for the air con!!
I love those towels. We use them when we holiday in Florida and they really do work wonders.
poorfanjo · 14/07/2021 23:33

Ceiling fan!

RandomMess · 14/07/2021 23:38

Wet your hair in the shower every day and leave it to dry naturally. Probably more useful if you have thick long hair like mine that takes forever to dry!!

Those saying keeping windows blinds and curtains shut all day are completely right it's utterly false to think a breeze by opening will counteract the greenhouse effect of sun through windows!

Nonbio46 · 14/07/2021 23:56

Sorry if this has already been suggested but fill a hot water bottle with cold water and pop it in the freezer. It will help keep you cool for a good few hours. Xx

noblegreenk · 14/07/2021 23:58

My downstairs is open plan and the back of my house (with bifolds) faces south east, so we have similar issues. I close all windows/curtains/blinds at the back of the house in the morning and open the windows at the front where its cooler. Come 3-4pm when the sun moves round, I open up the back of the house and close all windows/blinds at the front. It makes a huge difference as your only getting air coming in from the cooler side of the property.

Greyhare · 14/07/2021 23:59

I struggle with the heat and our house/bungalow is south facing and gets all the sun, and because I have a house cat I can't open the windows wide but they are all open on the latch, I invested in a couple of Dyson fans but they are not with the money, so I sold one and brought two of these www.qvcuk.com/Meaco-MeacoFan-1056-Air-Circulator.product.808789.html?sc=PSCH&qq=mh& they knock the socks of Dyson fans and are much quite than a big pedal stool fan, they kind of swish around in a figure of eight and do actual make the room feel cooler.

Elys3 · 15/07/2021 00:02

@Summerhillsquare

The long term answer is insulation. Counter intuitive! My house is super insulated and never gets above 22 degrees, even with big south facing area, windows and door. We will all have this problem with climate change...
Absolutely this…with the added bonus that your home will also be warmer in winter. If you can get the wall cavities filled, and loft insulated well.
Dogvmarmot · 15/07/2021 00:10

@Applesandpears23

Open all the windows at night to cool the house as much as possible. Then when you wake up shut all the windows and close the curtains on the side of the house facing the sun. If possible put up black out blinds or tin foil covering those windows too. Once the sun passes to the other side of the house shut all those curtains and open the other side. Don’t open any windows unless the air temp inside is above the air temperature outside. Put a bowl of iced water in front of your fan. Wear as few clothes as possible and lightly wet as much of your skin as possible from time to time. Water spray over yourself helps too. Drink lots of water, ideally from a jug in the fridge. I hope some of that helps.
This. I just suffered through the heatdome - it was dreadful but blinds and keeping out the sun was a godsend. 44 C in day and hot at night!. tin foil on windows behind blinds perhaps. and absolutely open windows as above poster says. AC not necessary in uk and contributes to raising the heat of the planet.... Its still super hot 36 but cooler at night and i do as above poster says. Not using the AC - head under cold shower briefly. wrists under tap..... actually ice cold drinks make you heat up apparently so normal tap water is better - but really doesn't feel as nice tbh. good luck. I am envious of your 'hot weather' and looking forward to coming home.
Houseofvelour · 15/07/2021 00:11

Curtains shut all day and windows open behind them, bowl of ice in front of fan will blow cool air around, wet a flannel/tea towel and put in a zip lock bag in the freezer for a wet proof cooling pad to put on yourself xx

VaccineSticker · 15/07/2021 00:26

I see lots of suggestions to buy an aircon- unless it’s powered by renewable energy, it’s a bit like throwing petrol on the fire causing more emissions and accelerating climate change making it worse for everyone.

INeedToBuyaZoo · 15/07/2021 01:36

Hot water bottle except you freeze it. We have several on rotation in fact I'm basically spooning one right now gg&