Texans know heat—the kind of heat that’s so strong your steering wheel could double as a skillet and your flip-flops start melting into the driveway. But don’t worry, as it’s not their first rodeo, and when summer rolls around, people here have some rather smart ways of dealing with it. Let’s look at twelve heatwave hacks Texans know by heart. The way that they deal with these temperatures might surprise you.
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Using Damp Bandanas Stored in the Fridge
It’s not weird to see someone pull a bandana from their fridge in Texas because once they wrap chilly cloth around their neck, they have an instant AC for their body. You could even throw a couple in Ziplocs just to keep ‘em fresh and ready to go—some people switch them out every few hours when they’re working outside or running errands. If it dries up, just dunk it in cold water and toss it back in the fridge.
Laying Bedsheets in the Freezer
It may seem strange, but putting your sheets in the freezer for a few minutes before bed is a great idea, although they don’t stay icy all night or anything—they warm up fast—but it’s just enough to cool you down. You could fold them into a grocery bag or a pillowcase to keep them clean in there, and people usually just do the top sheet, so the bed feels cool right away. While it may be an extra step, on those 100+ degree nights, it really helps you fall asleep faster.
Cooking With Rice Cookers Outside
Nobody wants to fire up the oven in August, and that’s why many Texans drag their rice cookers or toaster ovens out onto the porch so they can make dinner without turning the house into a sauna. You’ll also see some Texans plugging them in on a covered patio or using extension cords out the window. And if you’re grilling too, you’ve basically got an outdoor kitchen without doing a full remodel.
Switching to Cold Rice Bags In Bed
Speaking of rice, many Texans will take a cloth bag full of dry rice, freeze it, then hold onto it—it stays cold longer than gel packs & doesn’t sweat all over your sheets. You can use it wherever you need to cool down fast, and you can also sew your own bag or just use an old sock and tie it off with a rubber band. Most people keep two so that they always have one frozen, and they’re much more comfortable to sleep with than something plastic or bulky.
Hanging Thick Blankets Over West-Facing Windows
Rather than buying fancy blackout curtains, a lot of Texans just put a thick quilt or moving blanket over the window that catches afternoon sun. It might not be pretty, but it sure does block heat, and some people even hang them with thumbtacks or old curtain rods. It’s a good idea to put these on west-facing windows where the sun really blasts in late in the day, and you could double up with foil or cardboard behind the blanket for extra insulation.
Making Homemade Ice Packs From Sponges
Cheap kitchen sponges make for good homemade ice packs, and all you have to do is soak them & freeze them. They don’t leak and they don’t hurt if they slide off and smack your leg—you can also make a dozen for like five bucks. Once they thaw, you just refreeze them, so it’s a rather low-effort way of staying cool without paying for expensive cooling gear. Many Texan kids love them because they’re soft and not too cold to hold.
Spraying Car Seats With Diluted Alcohol
Sizzling car seats are the worst, and that’s why you should try spritzing them with rubbing alcohol mixed with water before you sit down. The mixture evaporates rather quickly, which helps suck away the heat, and you don’t need much—just enough to stop your thighs from burning. Try keeping a small spray bottle in the glovebox or cup holder. Just make sure the windows are down when you spray, so the fumes don’t build up, and remember that it’s not for every surface.
Cooling Down Dogs With Frozen Broth Cubes
Whenever their dogs are panting like crazy, Texans freeze low-sodium broth into little cubes, as it makes a good treat and helps cool them from the inside out. You could even mix in carrots or apple slices before freezing—it’s way cheaper than fancy doggy popsicles, and the pups go wild for it. You just need to make sure it’s plain broth with no onions or garlic, since those are bad for dogs.
Turning Off Unused Electronics During Peak Hours
If your TV or game consoles are plugged in, they’re adding heat to your home, which is why people here shut down anything they’re not using. It helps the house stay cooler and keeps the AC from working overtime, which is great for their electric bills, too. Devices on standby mode also add heat, so many Texans go around unplugging stuff when the forecast hits triple digits, and it’s quite helpful in small homes or apartments.
Carrying a Spray Bottle of Water and Peppermint Oil
Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and keep it with you—when you’re stuck in traffic or just feeling hot, give yourself a mist. You could even keep it in a small cooler so it stays extra cold, and it’s so easy to make that you’ll probably end up making a bottle for every bag you own. Just make sure not to spray it near your eyes since it stings like crazy.
Tossing a Wet Dish Towel Over Box Fans
Instead of buying a big misting fan, many Texans will soak a dish towel and wring it out, then hang it loosely over the front of a box fan—as the air blows through, the towel cools it down just a bit. It’s enough to take the edge off. Of course, you have to re-wet it now and then, but it’s quick and quite helpful when the AC’s not cutting it during peak hours. You could also use a clip or binder to keep the towel in place.
Keeping Water Bottles in Every Room
Instead of simply carrying a water bottle, many Texans will keep extras all over the house, with one in the bedroom and maybe one by the door. It’s easier to stay hydrated when water’s always within arm’s reach, especially when you’re sweating more than usual. Try filling the bottles halfway and freezing them, then top off with cold tap water, because it keeps the bottle cold for hours without needing ice.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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