Summer is fun until the heat leaves you sweaty, sunburnt, and regretting your life choices by 3 p.m. These no-stress summer hacks, tips and tricks will help you cool down, stay sane, and maybe even enjoy yourself without spending a fortune or losing your mind.
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Stay Cool (Without Moving to Iceland)
Chill Like Beyoncé
Make your own fancy cooling spray by filling a water mist sprayer with water, aloe vera gel, and peppermint oil. Store it in the fridge and spritz whenever you’re feeling the heat and need to feel pampered.
Aloe Ice Cubes for Sunburn Relief
Freeze aloe vera gel in an ice cube tray for quick, soothing relief. Great for sunburns, overheated skin, or just beating the heat.
The Multi-Use Frozen Water Bottle
Freeze water bottles overnight and you’ve got an ice-cold drink and a built-in forehead chiller for those “I can’t do this” moments. They can also be used to keep your lunch cold until you have a chance to eat it.
Cooling Towels
Drape a cooling towel around your neck when you’re overheating. All you have to do is soak it, wring it, shake it and wear it to cool off and power through your day. Buy one or just freeze a wet towel – both work like magic.
Instant Cool-Down with Rubbing Alcohol
Pour some rubbing alcohol on a cloth or paper towel and swipe it on your skin to cool off fast. It evaporates quickly and kills sweat bacteria, which is a win-win. It’s also great for soothing the itch of insect bites.
Slushy Cocktails on Demand
Batch-blend your favorite cocktails, freeze flat in zip-top bags, and mush them up when you’re ready to serve. It’s like adult Capri Sun.
Snack to Hydrate
Raw fruits and veggies help cool you down and keep you hydrated. Cold watermelon, cucumber, berries, pineapple and citrus fruits are your heatwave BFFs.
Pocket-Sized Air Conditioning
Rechargeable mist fans are game-changers. Keep one in your bag for your own personal cloud of chill.

Car Hacks So Your Ride Doesn’t Become a Sauna
The AC Reset Trick
Open your windows, set your AC to “outside air,” and direct it to the floor vent to push hot air out faster (cause hot air rises). Once the car cools, close the windows and switch to “recirculate” to keep it that way.
Cover Up, Save Your Thighs
Throw a towel or blanket over your leather seats and steering wheel. Or you could buy a cooling car seat cover. Your skin will thank you every time you sit down.
Use a Windshield Sunshade
Simple but powerful – a good window sunshade keeps your dashboard (and mood) from melting.
Oven Mitts for Shifters
Yes, really. Use them to drive if your gear shifter is too hot to handle. Welcome to summer.
Crack Windows and Park in Shade
Leaving your windows slightly open and choosing a shady parking spot helps keep your car temperature down. When it’s hot, shade is more important than proximity.
Cool Down Kid Car Seats
Put an ice pack or cold towel on your child’s seat while you shop. It keeps the buckles and cushions from turning into branding irons.
Home Hacks to Keep It Chill Without Cranking the AC
Block the Sun Like a Vampire
Cover windows with blackout curtains, foil, or reflective blinds. Less sunlight = less indoor sweating. Here’s more ideas for blocking heat from windows.
Seal It Up Like Winter
Weather-strip windows and doors to keep hot air out. It’s a low-effort, high-payoff way to keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter.
Install a Misting System
A patio misting system cools your outdoor space without soaking everything. Easy to install, and surprisingly effective.
Dress in Heat-Resistant Fabrics
Cotton, linen, and merino wool clothing in light colors keep you cooler than synthetic fabrics. Loose and breathable is the way to go.
Protect Your Phone from the Heat
Keep your phone shaded – the sun drains your battery fast and can overheat your device.
Food, Drink & BBQ Hacks (That Don’t Involve Turning On the Oven)
Grapes Instead of Ice Cubes
Freeze grapes or berries to chill your drinks without watering them down. Bonus: you can eat them after.
Cupcake Liner Hand Guard
Slide a cupcake liner onto the base of your ice cream cone or popsicle to catch drips and protect your fingers. It’s the adult equivalent of a bib.
Cook Outside
Keep the heat out of the kitchen by cooking outside on your grill or even on the firepit. And you won’t have to run the exhaust fan when you burn dinner.
BBQ Toolbelt of Glory
Repurpose a toolbelt or hanging shoe organizer to hold all your grilling essentials. Instant backyard chef status unlocked.
Shop When the Sun Goes Down
Grocery shopping after dark keeps your produce – and you – from wilting. Bring a cooler if you shop during the day.
Beach, Backyard, & Camping Sanity Savers
Your Beach Checklist
Use this beach checklist for all your essentials. No more “I forgot the sunscreen again” panic.
Keep the Sand on the Beach
Pack towels in a mesh laundry bag and shake the whole thing before heading home. Sand stays behind – where it belongs.
Backyard Camping, Wi-Fi Edition
Pitch a tent close enough to your house to stream movies and stargaze. S’mores + wifi signal = a modern miracle.
Lazy Patio Cleaning
Spray the patio down and sweep away dirt and debris. It’s not Pinterest-perfect, but it gets the job done without needing a power washer.
Be Pool-Friendly
Have a pool-less summer plan? Befriend someone who has one. Bring snacks, be kind, and don’t splash their dog. If you don’t have a friend with a pool, kiddie pools can be surprisingly effective in a pinch.
Random Hacks To Keep Your Cool
Know the Signs of Heat Illness
If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or wiped out, stop and cool down. Ignoring the signs can lead to serious heatstroke.
Sunscreen and Shades, Always
Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen and wear UV-blocking sunglasses every day. Future you will thank present you.
Ice Machines Are Worth It
A countertop ice machine + insulated water bottle = icy hydration on demand. Fancy? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.
Dry Towels for Faster Laundry
Add a dry towel to your wet laundry in the dryer to cut down drying time. Because that dryer doesn’t cool down your house.
Command Hooks for Car Organization
Stick one on your dash to hang sunglasses, key fob, or snacks. No more rummaging like a raccoon.
Good Enough Is Great Enough
You can’t beat summer, so try to enjoy it. You just need to stay hydrated, avoid heatstroke, and maybe remember where your flip-flops are. With these hacks, you’ve officially leveled up your hot-weather survival game.