Fan blowing hot air? This 1 kitchen staple is the secret to a cooler home

A woman sat in front of a cooling fan in a heatwave — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

It comes to a point when the heat is so intense that even the best fans can’t work efficiently. Instead of filling a room with a refreshing, cool breeze, they recirculate hot air.

You’re left feeling even hotter and more irritated, knowing your fan can’t beat the heat and your energy bill will go up.

Struggling in a heatwave can be particularly debilitating and frustrating, especially if you’ve tried all the suggested methods to keep your home cool . Then, when your fan starts to blow hot air, you feel really stuck.

Understanding how a fan works

Standing fan in stylish living room — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

But the reason why your fan isn’t working as you expect is that it’s not designed to generate cool air. Its purpose is to move air. By circulating air, the fan increases the evaporation of sweat from your skin, creating a ‘wind chill’.

It also helps ventilate a space by clearing stale air (I’m thinking of my son’s bedrooms), reducing humidity, and preventing moisture from settling on surfaces.

The milk carton hack

Milk in fridge door — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

But apparently, according to Lifestyle Homecare Services, as reported in The Mirror, all you need is a carton of milk. Placing something cold or frozen in front of the fan means that the air being circulated will be colder than before.

All you need to do is clean out an empty milk carton and fill it with water before freezing it. It’s then ready to be placed in front of your fan. (I’ve shared more guidance below.)

Placing ice in front of a fan is a more efficient way to cool a room, as the fan draws heat from the surrounding air, which requires energy to melt or evaporate the ice.

Apart from cooling the air, the bottle will also absorb heat, leaving you feeling cooler and more comfortable.

You may be thinking, why does it have to be a milk carton? The simple reason is that it’s a kitchen staple most people have to hand, and it’s designed to hold a large volume of liquid. The size means it will absorb more heat than a smaller bottle, keeping your room cooler for longer.

How to use the milk carton hack

You can't use the hack instantly, as you need to allow the water to freeze, but it's super-easy to follow.

1. Wash out a large milk carton. The bigger the better.

2. Fill the carton three-quarters full. Water expands when frozen, so you’ll need to allow space for expansion.

3. Place a towel underneath the carton to catch any condensation or melted water.

4. Position the fan in front of the carton, but not too close. Leave a gap to keep moisture away from the fan.

5. Turn your fan on and enjoy the cooling effect of this hack.

What I love about this hack is that it reuses an item you already own and doesn't require any extra energy beyond what you are already using, which is why it gets a thumbs-up from the Tom's Guide Savings Squad team.

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Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides.

Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.

Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.