Homegrown Go-Tos for Chillin’
Summer heatwaves often find my daughter and I retreating from our non-air-conditioned home to find somewhere to swim — the local public pool, a river, the ocean. But when we can’t go swimming, I get creative. I have always overheated easily, so I have been building my arsenal of cooling methods since childhood: early techniques included dunking my head under a faucet so my hair gets wet, spritzing my skin with a spray bottle, and keeping a baggie full of wet bandannas so I’ll always be able to put around my neck. As an adult, traveling through hot countries, I learned that wetting all of my clothes worked even better than the spritzing and head dunking. On particularly hot days, I’ve been known to step into a shower fully clothed: it looks silly, but keeps me comfortable.
During a recent hot spell, my eight-year-old and I spent the day in a shallow, inflatable pool that had an air leak and required frequent re-inflating. It didn’t look like a spread in Sunset magazine, but we had a great time — we rescued countless grasshoppers and discovered that a balloon pump makes a fun water gun. When I got out, I also realized that my long-sleeved swimsuit kept me cool far longer than any cotton t-shirt ever had; something about the fabric retained the moisture so well that by evening I found myself actually feeling chilly even though it was still nearly 90 degrees out. When bedtime rolled around in our still-toasty cabin, my kiddo could not get comfortable until finally I gave her an ice pack for her neck and spread a dampened, light muslin blanket over her so it touched as much skin as possible. She fell right to sleep.
As weather extremes become more common, I realize that sharing experiences like these can literally be lifesaving, so I asked some of my friends what their homegrown stay-cool methods are. This is what they told me:
“When we lived in Iowa, my mom used to keep 4-6 inches of water in the bathtub and get into it every couple of hours and lie there ‘til her body temp came down; she’d splash it over her body, then dry off and put minimal light clothing back on.” —Claire McGuire
“Windows open at night; close it all up and live in the dark during the heat of the day. My mom used to hang blankets over the windows to help insulate the house.” —Kim Knapp
“We cook with an air fryer oven in the garage or use a camping stove outside. That said, I just burnt my fourth batch of beans, so I’m not sure I fully recommend this approach—but it does keep the house cooler. I also sometimes spray the roof to get some evaporative cooling in the attic, and I usually manage to spray the kids while I’m at it. And a sprinkler under the trampoline is pretty much our go-to for the kids.” —Carrie Ashendel
“I have a little electric fan on a clipboard on my bed blowing on my face and head all night. And cooling/medicated powder on my neck and inner elbows where I tend to get heat rash.” —Marit Erickson
“Do all of the above while you’re organizing for civil disobedience and non-violent direct action to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. The USA is literally killing everyone as the number one polluter on the planet.” —Jennifer Shulzitski
Other Recent Posts
Being Bike-Friendly is Gateway to Climate Advocacy
Four Bay Area cyclists push for better city infrastructure.
Can Colgan Creek Do It All? Santa Rosa Reimagines Flood Control
A restoration project blends old-school flood control with modern green infrastructure. Is this how California can manage runoff from future megastorms?
San Francisco Youth Explore Flood Risk on Home Turf
At the Shoreline Leadership Academy, high school students learn about sea level rise through hands-on tours and community projects.
Federal Funding Flip-Flops Stop Work on California Forest Safety and Working Lands Projects
Federal funding cuts halt wildfire protection and farm aid across Sonoma and California’s Resource Conservation Districts.
Bumpy Road Ahead for Fast-Tracking Program?
The multi-agency BRRIT has streamlined wetland permitting, but ongoing federal cuts could slow its progress.
Too Bad Golden Gate Ferry Sticking With Diesel
Despite its pro-environment history, the Golden Gate District is resisting ferry electrification, frustrating advocates for a zero-emission fleet.
A Ramble Around Pacheco Marsh
We tour Pacheco Marsh, a once-rough patch of Bay shoreline that is now a green refuge for walkers, birds, and even paddleboarders.
ReaderBoard
Once a month we share reader announcements: jobs, events, reports, and more.
Slow Progress on Shade For California’s Hottest Desert Towns
Coachella Valley communities face record temperatures with little shade. Policy changes lag as local groups push for heat equity.
In Uncertain Times, the Port of Oakland Goes Electric
A $322M grant powers Oakland’s port electrification — cleaning air, cutting emissions, and investing in community justice.