Summer has arrived in the UK, with temperatures soaring from mild to unbearably hot within days. Being indoors can feel stifling, leaving many huddled in front of fans to keep cool. However, fans are not designed to eliminate heat altogether; they work by circulating air to evaporate moisture from skin, reducing stickiness without lowering body temperature.
Simple Kitchen Item Boosts Fan Performance
Vikki from Lifestyle Homecare Services has revealed a clever trick to enhance a fan's cooling effect using a common kitchen item: a milk carton. She explains: "All you need to do is add something cold/frozen in front of the fan and the air being circulated should be much cooler than before. Freeze an old carton of milk filled with water and sit it in front of the fan."
Fans merely push air around, dispersing heat temporarily, but warm air remains trapped, so relief is short-lived. Placing ice in front of a fan is more efficient, as the fan draws heat from the surrounding air to melt or evaporate the ice, actively absorbing and eliminating heat before it reaches you.
Why Milk Cartons Work Best
While any frozen bottle works, milk cartons are ideal because they hold more liquid and offer a larger surface area. Their size absorbs more heat than a standard water bottle, keeping a room cooler for longer. To use, fill a clean milk carton three-quarters full with water—leaving space for expansion during freezing to prevent splitting—and freeze it.
Place a towel underneath the frozen carton to collect condensation as it melts, then set the fan in front of it, leaving a small gap to avoid moisture reaching the fan. Turn the fan on for instant relief, regardless of how high temperatures soar this summer.
