Summer Hacks You Must Try
As warmer weather approaches, it’s time to start thinking about outdoor summer fun! Barbecues, days spent by the pool, and weekend jaunts to the beach are all a little easier when you have a few tricks up your sleeve.
Make the most of your summer fun with these creative and useful summertime hacks!
On-The-Fly Fix
Before your next outdoor get together, slice some lemons or limes in half, and press a few whole cloves into the flesh. Half an hour before serving time, place them around the table to help keep flies and mosquitos away!
Calm That Itch
Speaking of bugs… soothe an itch from a bug bite with this remedy. Dab a dot of toothpaste onto a bite to reduce the itchiness and swelling, and get back to enjoying the outdoors!
Freeze Your Sponges
Soak a sponge in water, sprinkle salt over it (helps it freeze faster), and pop it in the freezer. Add the frozen sponge to a Ziploc bag so when it starts to melt, it will absorb the water, leaving things you’re keeping cool dry. Best of all, this homemade ice pack can be refrozen to use again in the future!
Baby Powder That Sand
One downfall of going to the beach or lake is feeling like you’re taking home all the sand with you. Baby powder, or talcum powder, is one of the best ways to remove stubborn sand from in between your toes, and other areas of the body. Simply air dry a bit after getting out of the water then vigorously apply baby powder to any area where sand is still sticking. Wipe off the excess sand and voila!
Softly Serve That Ice Cream
If you haven’t been able to get through a whole container of ice cream that quickly, you may have noticed ice crystals forming on top of your once-creamy treat. Don't break your arm in your quest to get a scoop of ice cream. Place the tub in a freezable bag before freezing, and it will be perfectly soft each time. The Ziploc bag will prevent freezer burn!
Number One Fan
When you’re trying to stay cool in hot weather, a normal fan just doesn’t cut it. Try adding ice to your fan to give it the cool, refreshing kick you need! This might sound complicated, but there are many simple ways to do this. You can place a frozen cloth over the back of your fan, adhere a gel ice pack to the back of your fan with string or tape, or simply place a bowl of ice in front of your fan to cool down the air blowing your way.
Clean With An Onion
Nothing takes the joy out of a summer evening like knowing you have to scrub the grill later. It's a messy and labor-intensive process—and most traditional grill cleaners are toxic and stinky. Save your back and your Brillo pads because an ordinary onion can clean that nasty grill in minutes. Cut an onion in half and rub the cut side on the grill grates while it’s still warm.
Aloe Vera Gel Ice
How’s this for one of the coolest hacks of summer? Freeze aloe vera gel in an ice tray and store them in a Ziploc bag so they’re ready to go. Not only do the cubes help with sunburns, but they’re gonna feel really good on a hot day.
No More Watered Down Coffee
Want the ultimate iced coffee? Then you need to freeze coffee cubes. Unlike ice ones, they won't water down your drink, and you'll get the caffeine kick you crave.
Cold Feet..But In A Good Way
If you’re really struggling and wondering how to stay cool in extreme heat, it might be a time for a dip… but don’t worry, you don’t need a pool for this cooling tip! Studies have shown that submerging your feet in cold water up to your ankles can drastically cool you down, even in hot weather. Fill up your tub up or simply get a large mixing bowl with some cold water and possibly even ice cubes, and let your feet get a cool treat!
Tip: Outside and don’t have access to any water? The next best thing is letting those feet and ankles breathe! If you’re in desperate need of relief from the heat, try to find a shady or covered area where you can take a much-needed rest and kick off those socks and shoes for a bit. While this won’t be as effective as the water method, it will give your body a little chance to cool down.
Brighten With Vinegar
Summertime means you’ll have more opportunities to have get togethers outside on your porch or balcony, which means you’ll need to keep the outside furniture clean. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar, and spritz over chairs and tables to remove mildew stains and prevent mold from forming.
Ants Hate Coffee
You may love your morning coffee, but ants could do without it. Sprinkle some coffee grounds near doorways. Coffee’s high nitrogen content burns bugs, so they won’t walk across it and into your home. The smell repels them and they'll be looking for a less caffeinated place to hang out.
Cold Case
On a hot summer day, nothing ruins a party faster than a shortage of ice-cold drinks. Luckily, there are a few ways to avoid this from happening. If can ahead of time, free your drinks in advance. The sun will melt them just in time for you to want a drink. You can even do this for your pets by freezing water in a bowl so they can enjoy a cool drink for hours. If you are in a pinch, wrap a wet paper towel around a lukewarm bottle of your favorite drink and place the bottle in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the bottle, then just pop the cork or lid to serve up toast-worthy libations—and keep the party going!
Green Tea Spritz
When you’re spending time outside, you gotta stay cool. Making an at-home green tea mist will hydrate, cleanse and tone while also helping to balance natural pH levels of your skin. Place one to two bags of green tea in cold water and transfer to a spray bottle. Making your own is an inexpensive, easy and fun way to ensure it is free of any preservatives, alcohols or other unwanted ingredients.
Stay Hydrated Without Drinking Water
Let’s face it: Water, though a life-giving miracle, is kind of boring. You should definitely still drink it! But we get it if you’re less than enthusiastic about water. But fortunately, there are tons of hydration options beyond plain water. WebMD notes that about 80% of our water intake comes from drinking fluids; the other 20% comes from food. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables that are high in water content. To name just a few:
Cucumber: 96% water
Celery: 95% water
Tomatoes: 94% water
Asparagus: 93% water
Spinach: 91% water
Cantaloupe: 90% water
Peaches: 89% water
Carrots: 88% water
Bananas: 75% water
Do you have any summertime hacks you’d like to add? Comment below!
