How to Beat the Heat: DIY Hacks from UK Residents During the Hottest June Yet
June has stretched the limits of summer heat for many across the UK, with evenings and mornings reaching record temperatures. To cope, people are adopting both time‑honoured and inventive methods to keep their homes, bodies and pets cool.
Home cooling hacks
Bethan Earley from Rugby made a quick change by covering her windows with foil blankets. The result is a noticeable delay in heat entry, making her house feel cooler for longer. John Turbefield from Chichester adds his own twist – he buys survival blankets commonly used for athletes and tapes them to window frames. Their sheer, reflective surface sends much of the sunlight back outside.
John also keeps a freezer stocked with two‑liter water bottles, placing them near fans to add a cooling breeze. He warns that freezing large bottles takes time, so patience is key.
Sleep‑time relief
For people with medical conditions, staying cool overnight is vital. Stephanie Reed from Chorley places a wet hand towel on her bed’s edge and sleeps with her feet on it, keeping her body temperature regulated through the night. She also cools a baby’s bedding by chilling it in the freezer for 30 minutes before bed.
Gordon Cooper in High Wycombe ties a damp towel to a bedroom fan, letting the fan draw air over the extra moisture to create a cooling effect. Others have swapped rooms: from attic-to-floorsleeping, taking advantage of cooler, breezier rooms.
Cooking without the heat
Aimie Ludgate from Bradford avoids using the oven and hob during the heaviest heat. Instead, she uses an air fryer for everything from eggs to steak. Hot, standing appliances often raise indoor temperatures, so these smaller, cooler tools are a smart alternative.
Hydration and food choice
Dietitian Kate Hilton stresses the importance of staying hydrated with iced water and hydrating foods such as cucumber, tomatoes, melon and frozen smoothies. Berries, peaches and citrus can also help maintain fluid balance. She advises moderating alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate, and emphasizes that most non‑alcoholic drinks contribute to overall hydration.
Working from home in the heat
Oren Brown from County Durham moved his work from the hot upstairs to the cooler downstairs. Gillian Cooley, running a small business in Peterborough, has set up her office in a bedroom that stays cooler, using her laptop in the evenings when temperatures are lower.
Fashion for comfort
Jess Jepson from Manchester doesn’t wear black in the heat, preferring light, airy fabrics in pale colours. She keeps her hair off her face with a proper clip, and a wide‑brim fedora or bucket hat offers good shade without leaving ears exposed.
Pet care during summer
Annie Smith and her husband from St Albans keep their dachshunds cool by walking them early in the morning and providing indoor enrichment activities after 9am. They’ve also bought cooling vests for their dogs and keep wet dog food in the fridge.
Helena Kandzialka from London finds relief outdoors in the shaded climate, avoiding long car trips to minimise heat exposure.
Health reminders
UK Health Security Agency advises opening windows only when outside air feels cooler, and keeping non‑essential electronics off to avoid heat build‑up.
