Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

6 Ways to Cool Down Your Home Without Air Conditioning

Plants
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Looking to beat the heat this summer without using an air conditioner? Well, then lucky for you because we’ve made a roundup of some fantastic cooling options designed to be as easy on the environment as they will be on your electric bill.

From hacks for purifying the air around you to ones ideal for quelling your own internal boiling point, these picks are sure to cool you down and keep you feeling breezy all season long!

Aroma Diffuser

Aroma Diffuser
Image used with permission by copyright holder

An easy way to chill out a space is to utilize an aroma diffuser. You can usually snag a quality one for around $30 (like this one from Pure Enrichment), and you’ll be amazed by the difference it makes. Simply fill with water and add a few drops of eucalyptus or citrus essential oil to the basin. In a matter of minutes, the room will fill with a soothing mist that’ll help relax the mind and regulate the body’s internal thermometer.

Plants

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Another simple cooling solution is to populate your home with some indoor plants. Verdant gems like aloe vera, snake plants, and ficus trees have been shown to purify the air around them via a process called “transpiration,” in which they actively emit water into space. Certain ferns, palm trees, and rubber plants can also do the trick.

Linen Sheets

Linen Sheets
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re a hot sleeper, you may want to consider swapping out your cotton sheets for ones made of linen (such as those made by Brooklinen). Though they have a distinctly crisp texture that takes some getting used to, linen sheets are actually more breathable, cooling, and lightweight than their cotton peers. Plus, they’re moisture-wicking, which means they absorb and dissipate body heat with ease.

Towel Trick

Towel Trick
Image used with permission by copyright holder

An hour before you want to go to bed, soak a hand towel in some water, wringing it out until it’s just damp. Then, place it in the freezer. Once you’re ready to snooze, take it out and bring it to bed with you, pressing it to your chest, face, and neck as you lay down. Though it may feel a bit shocking, the icy cloth will help lower your body’s temperature, thereby preparing you for sleep. For an added bonus, add a dash of relaxing lavender oil to the towel before freezing.

Face Mist

Face Mist
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For something quick and instant, try using a face mist. All you have to do is spritz your mug with the concoction a few times and you’ll immediately feel cooler. There are several different types available online, but we recommend this one by Mario Bedescu, which uses aloe, green tea, and cucumber extracts to actively soothe the skin.

Peppermint Lotion

Peppermint Lotion
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Perhaps a bit too strong in its natural state, peppermint oil can do a lot to mitigate overheating when incorporated into a lotion or cream. Apply where you like, though massaging at the temples can be particularly effective for alleviating tension headaches caused by heat. Any peppermint lotion will do, but we especially like this lavender and peppermint blend from C.O. Bigelow.

Read more: Best Portable Air Conditioners

Editors' Recommendations

Cody Gohl
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cody Gohl is a Brooklyn-based writer who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, including travel, fashion, literature, LGBT…
6 of the Best Air Conditioners to Keep You Cool All Year

It is possible to escape the heat, and one of the best ways to stay cool is by plunging into the swimming pool. If you don’t have one of those, the other alternative is to crank that air conditioner up high and stand in front of it for a few minutes. Or all day.
Related Guides

How to Stay Cool Without Air Conditioning
Men's Apartment Essentials

Read more
How to Cultivate Industrial Style in Your Own Home
industrial-interior-design

Urban Industrial design is unique in comparison to other home styles. Instead of manifesting from an architectural movement, this gritty look came from a lifestyle choice of artists and musicians. Forgoing traditional housing for makeshift live-work spaces inside of abandoned warehouses and factories, artists created this thrown-together look of street finds, thrift store purchases, and pieces made out of whatever happened to be laying around.

In the last decade, industrial has gone from a style of necessity to a trendy, cultivated look that meshes disparate styles inside of brick-walled lofts.
Principles of Urban Industrial Design

Read more
How To Cultivate a Minimalist Style in Your Own Home
minimalism home style guide minimalist 2

If your ideal home is a relaxing space with bright white walls, massive windows, and crisp, clean lines, minimalism may be the style that best suits you. With little ornamentation, the idea behind minimalism is to create a calm, uncluttered space that lets you unwind after a hectic day and reconnect with nature while enjoying the finer things in life. Read on to learn how to cultivate a stylishly simple minimalist home.
Principles
Minimalism first began in the 1960s as an extension of the midcentury modern style. Midcentury modern architects and designers took the idea of reduced ornamentation and simple lines in both furnishings and architecture to its extreme. While midcentury modern saw hints of influence from Japanese aesthetics, minimalism went even further, fully embracing the philosophy that simplicity is the ultimate way to connect with nature.

Contemporary minimalism has seen a shift toward all-white structures dotted with deep black accents or incorporating natural elements like wood and stone. Silicon Valley has embraced tech-centric minimalism with crisp white interiors, white furnishings, and even white electronics designed to be a blank slate that lets creativity blossom.

Read more