HealthBeat the heat: Ancient Egyptian trick to cool your home

Beat the heat: Ancient Egyptian trick to cool your home

An Egyptian way to beat the heat. It's hard to believe it's so simple.
An Egyptian way to beat the heat. It's hard to believe it's so simple.
Images source: © Adobe Stock | Antonio Diaz

11:52 AM EDT, September 6, 2024

It's September, but the autumn weather is nowhere to be found outside the window. We are still plagued by African-like heat waves. Is it hard to fall asleep in a heated apartment? It's time to try a trick we know from the ancient Egyptians. Although they didn't have air conditioning, they dealt with the heat much more effectively than we do.

Ancient Egyptians were true experts in the field of protection against the sun and heat. Their buildings were constructed with materials that provided good insulation and were designed to allow ventilation and limit direct sunlight.

Although contemporary buildings rarely meet these standards, the teachings of the ancient Egyptians can be a valuable source of knowledge for architects and developers. There is one ancient method that is still effective today and does not require significant investments.

It is worth using light curtains soaked in water.

You can cover yourself by soaking a sheet or towel in cold water. If you don't want to sleep under wet fabric, there's another trick. You can hang a wet sheet in an open window.

When air flows through the wet fabric, the water evaporates, absorbing heat and lowering the room's temperature. This evaporative cooling effect has been known since ancient times and is still effective.

When choosing a fabric to soak in water, consider its durability and absorption capacity. Cotton is an excellent choice as it absorbs water well, is durable, and is easy to clean. Linen is another option.

It is also worth protecting the area under the curtain with a towel and regularly monitoring the condition of the fabrics. Wet curtains can become a hotspot for mold and mildew, so regular washing and drying are necessary.

It is also worth considering insulation during the day to create comfortable sleeping conditions on hot days. Blinds and curtains covering the windows will help keep the room relatively cool.

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