How to Find the Heat of Solution

Beat the Heat in Quarantine with These Cooling Products

Photo Courtesy: LeoPatrizi/E+/Getty Images

Hot weather is here, and it will be sticking around for a while. Many people are spending the summer at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you're one of them and you don't have air conditioning in your home, it can create unbearable conditions while you're sheltering at home.

Fortunately, there are fantastic solutions that can help you stay as cool as a cucumber all summer long — during both the day and night. Beat the heat in quarantine with these refreshing cooling products.

Light and Breathable Bed Sheets

It's hard to get a decent amount of sleep when you're all hot and sweaty. The solution? Cooling bed sheets. For the most comfortable rest, many people turn to airy sheets that are specially designed to be cooling. They're perfect for hot sleepers.

Photo Courtesy: Target and BJI/Lane Oatey/Getty Images

As temperatures rise, linen and bamboo sheets become popular for excellent reasons. Both are durable, breathable and soft. Linen sheets actually become softer every time you use them, but when it comes to ultimate softness, bamboo sheets are the clear winner. Whichever you choose, you no longer have to wake up drenched in sweat or feel like an overheated blob as you toss and turn.

Keep Heat Out with Blackout Curtains

An easy way to stop your home from getting as hot as a greenhouse in the first place is investing in good curtains, specifically thermal blackout curtains. Blocking direct sunlight lowers heat in your home. According to the Department of Energy, closed curtains can reduce heat gain by 33%.

Photo Courtesy: Houzz and Cavan Images/Cavan/Getty Images

Light to medium-colored drapes, like white, beige, gray and yellow, will get the job done, thanks to the blackout lining on the inside. Plus, blackout curtains can be stylish and multi-functional. If your neighbor won't turn off their porch lights at night, these curtains will banish light so you can get better sleep. Thermal blackout curtains mask some street noises too.

Hack a Fan

You can't go wrong with a box fan. These powerful devices support air circulation and make the room cooler. One great way to use the fan is by placing it next to a window. Facing a box fan out the window will push hot air out of the room and move it outside, which is perfect when it's hotter indoors than outdoors. When it's cooler outside, position the fan the other way so it will bring in cold air.

Photo Courtesy: Target and WLWT/YouTube

You could also try the bowl of ice trick, where you place a bowl or pan of ice in front of the fan. As the ice melts, the fan will blow a chilling misty breeze. Box fans are portable, but if you want a smaller fan you can use for traveling or outdoors, a handheld misting fan will work really well. Just add cold water or ice and turn it on for some fine, refreshing mist on a hot day.

Convenient Portable Air Conditioners

Everybody doesn't have a fancy air conditioning system to keep the entire house cool. However, there are affordable alternatives that still work great. If you're willing to splurge a little, a portable air conditioner (AC) can help you cool down.

Photo Courtesy: Whynter/YouTube

Portable ACs have many advantages, including easy installation and use. Plus, you won't break a sweat moving them from one room to another. Some units come with a dehumidifier, fan, remote control, timer and adjustable window kits, making them extra convenient for people with different needs. Whynter and Honeywell are a couple of highly recommended brands for portable ACs.

Chill on a Pillow

It's not fun flipping your pillow to get the cool side in the middle of the night. Make bedtime more comfortable with a special pillow known as the chill pillow (a.k.a. the chillow). The pillow's cooling gel absorbs excess heat to keep your body nice and cool.

Photo Courtesy: Target

Many chillows are made of memory foam, which supports your unique body shape. Plus, its moisture-wicking cover helps you stay fresh and clean all night long. Sleeping in the summer heat doesn't have to turn into a sweat war.

Make Slushies and Shakes in Minutes

Sometimes, we don't want to wait for our drinks to turn icy in the freezer, so we head to 7-Eleven or the closest ice cream shop for a slushie or shake. Unfortunately, many other people are thinking the same thing.

Photo Courtesy: Williams/Sonoma

Avoid the crowd by making the magic happen at home using the Zoku Slush and Shake Maker. Within minutes, your favorite soda, juice or alcoholic beverage can change into a slushie right in front of you. You can easily make a shake for yourself or your family in a pinch. Even better, it's easy to clean.

Catch Some Z's on a Gel Mattress Topper

Sleep like a baby and chill out on a gel mattress topper. It's an extra layer of defense on those warm and sticky nights. These toppers are designed to be more comfortable, durable and supportive for all body types.

Photo Courtesy: Target

While the gel reduces heat gain, the memory foam relaxes your joints and muscles. It's also a good choice for people who have firm or old mattresses, as it softens and updates the bedding. Sleeping better never felt so easy.

Use Hot Water Bottles Beyond Winter

A hot water bottle isn't just great to toast up your toes in the winter; it's also a simple way to keep your bed cool during the warm seasons. Just fill it with water and put it in the freezer. Once bedtime rolls around, place it on your bed as an ice pack.

Photo Courtesy: BrandsMart U.S.A. and LaylaBird/E+/Getty Images

You don't have to worry about the water spilling out of the bottle when it melts and you can stick it in the freezer again for another scorching night. A hot water bottle can be used throughout the year to help keep your utility bill down.

Allan Forearry