How to Survive the Blistering Heat

We had a wet spring, followed by a mild May and June. So I was not at all prepared for the triple digit heat that hit the Pacific Northwest like a freight train this week. Instead, I just feel lucky that we had any nice weather at all. But existing when it’s this hot is about preparation, so here are the products and tips that keep me, my child, my dogs, and my house cool when it’s too damn hot.

I typed “hot weather” into my stock image search and this volcanic eruption popped up, and I thought, “Yep, that’s how it feels” and kept it.  

Blackout Curtains // Our home was built in 1968, and the windows have about as much insulation as a “Stanlee” cup purchased on Canal Street.  My daughter’s room gets the hottest because it’s on the west side of the house and gets beaten by the sun all day.  When she was nine-months old, I invested in these blackout curtains, which I attached a rod with these clips but can also be velcro’ed to the frame.  They look like black trash bags from outside the home, but I do not care.  They drop the temperature in her room 10-15 degrees.  We added a second layer of curtains over them using a double french rod, and it was a game changer.

Keep Air Moving // If your house is unbearably hot, a bathroom fan will pull hot air out of your rooms because heat rises.  Your over stove fan will do the same.  

As for a floor fan, this one from GeekAire is the only one I recommend.  I have to use one to keep air moving from the cooler rooms to the hotter ones.  It comes in several sizes, but the genius of this fan is that you can charge it and it runs on battery or you can plug it in.  Last summer, we had a power outage in the summer, and this fan ran all night to keep the house cool.  You can also take it onto the patio or to kids’ sporting events.

Speaking of fans, if it’s hot weather season, it’s wild fire season.  As a Montanan, I am well practiced at being ready to deal with smoke and poor air quality.  The EPA has great tips on how to improve your indoor air quality when the smoke is bad.  The biggest one is to keep extra furnace filters on hand.  I set mine up for auto-ship on Amazon and keep an extra for wildfire season.

I also highly recommend buying air purifiers and extra filters now.  I own these Dyson purifiers that also heat and cool, which we use all the time.  When the smoke gets bad, I own two of these BIG Levoit purifiers, which can handle my whole house.  But again, buy extra filters.  If you have an HSA see if they will cover the cost, my last one did.

Window A/C Units // If you live in an older home or apartment, you likely don’t have A/C or the unit struggles in the heat.  A girlfriend swears by these Windmill window units.  She adores hers.  It’s quiet, sleek looking, and works like a dream.  And she installed it without her partner’s help, so she felt like a badass getting it done solo.  

Staying Cool Outside // In addition to the big fan mentioned above, I just ordered a patio mister for our home.  This $40 item will keep the back patio cool, so my daughter can enjoy her water table and outdoor play space.  I just ordered this new cantilever patio umbrella.  

For taking Sloane to the park or on walks, I also keep this portable fan with misting features.  It’s small and slender, so it easily fits in a diaper bag or purse.

Dealing with Sweat // First off, this is the time for gauze and linen.  This gauze camp shirt from Caslon and I are besties when it gets this hot.  I also like this flowy linen blouse from Chico’s and this ruffle collar one from J.Crew.  I also own so many gauze dresses from Gap that I’ve lost count, but this one is my favorite.

My hormones are so different since Sloane was born that I sweat now, a lot.  When the weather gets this hot, I break out the big guns and buy this Certain Dri spray.  It can be used anywhere.  I also grab an anti-chafe stick for my feet because blisters are a problem when you’re sweating.  You can also use it in between your thighs to prevent friction issues.

Also, I keep a couple of full-size shower wipes with me.  We ended up walking further than I would have liked to get to dinner the other night, and I was so glad I had them so I didn’t look like a swamp creature.  Plus, you just feel so much better when you’re not covered in sweat.

Lastly, don’t be a hero, put your hair up.  I wear a lot of twisty updos when the weather gets like this.  This is the easiest one in the world.  If your hair is short put it in a ponytail instead of a bun and pin the loose pieces to get the same look.  For chin length hair, try this twisted one.  Prefer a ponytail?  One simple trick can add a lot of volume to that style.

And do not forget a hat or visor (my personal choice) to keep things cool outside!

What are your hot weather tips?  Leave them in the comments.

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