This Gross-Sounding Tip Might Be the Best Summer Hack Yet
Every summer, we all try various ways to beat the heat. When the mercury climbs into the nineties and the humidity rolls in, relief becomes a top priority. Sure, we are lucky enough to live in the era of air conditioning. I can't imagine a summer without the luxurious cold air trapped behind double-pane glass.
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Old-School Tricks to Beat the Heat
But what do you do when the AC isn't enough? That's when you start trying to remember what Grandpa said they used to do to beat the heat.
"You know, when I was a kid, we'd wrap cold, wet towels around our necks and drink hot coffee when the heat was like this," he'd say to an enraptured gaggle of grandkids.
He'd also tell us how he and Grandma gave up their pajamas in the summer to stay cool. So, thanks for that thought, Grandpa.
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The Weirdest Cooling Tip You’ll Hear All Summer
During Sioux Falls' last heat wave, I was looking around for any tips and tricks to keep my house and myself cool while not using so much electricity. That's when I discovered the Hot Weather Yogurt Method.
One of the ways that your house can get overheated is by the same mechanisms that make greenhouses work. The sun shines through the windows, heating the air inside. It's great when that happens in the winter, free heat! But in July, you gotta keep them windows covered.
Most people use some sort of blinds or curtains to cover the windows. But some say that that is not quite enough. If you really want to keep the heat out, you have to use yogurt.
How the Yogurt Trick Works
According to the BBC, Dr. Ben Roberts, at Loughborough University in the UK, did some experimenting and found that applying a film of yogurt to the outside of windows could lower the temperature by as much as three and a half degrees.
The yogurt has to have a lot of fat in it to be truly effective.
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Why This Might Not Be for Everyone
I cannot vouch for the effectiveness of the paint your windows with yogurt method. I will say that more than anything, it seems like an invitation to all the flies. I don't need any more reasons for flies to be hanging around outside waiting for me to open a door so they can live the sweet life inside.
Better (and Cleaner) Alternatives
I'm guessing that you could use lots of non-food things to cover the windows and keep the heat out. Like, instead of yogurt, try mud. This is why I never wash my windows. At least that's what I'll say from now on.
Or you could keep the blinds shut.