When the heat is intense and there is no air conditioning, any simple resource seems like a salvation. One of the tricks that is repeated every summer is that of the wet towel: wet a cloth, wring it well and place it near a window or behind a fan to refresh the air in a room.

It's not magic nor does it replace an air conditioner, but it can provide relief in some environments. The explanation lies in evaporative cooling: when water evaporates, it absorbs some of the heat from the environment. Therefore, a damp towel, combined with air circulation, can create a feeling of freshness for a while, especially in dry climates or well-ventilated rooms.

Studies on passive cooling indicate that evaporative cooling works best at high temperatures and low relative humidity.

You can see: Errors with air conditioning increase your energy bills by 50%: how to avoid them

How to use the wet towel trick

The method is simple. Wet a large towel or cloth with cold water, wring it out so it doesn't drip, and place it in a place where air can circulate. It can be near an open window at night or behind a fan, without touching the motor or electrical parts.

The key is that there is air movement. A fan does not cool by itself: it moves air and helps evaporate water. That is why some specialists recommend placing a wet towel behind the fan or spraying water in the room before turning it on, always being careful not to wet plugs, cables or electrical devices.

When it works best

This trick may work best when the air is dry, because water evaporates more easily. On the other hand, in very humid places it can be less effective and even uncomfortable, since it adds more humidity to the environment.

It is also convenient to use it as a temporary resource: to cool a room before going to sleep, relieve a hot afternoon or accompany other basic measures, such as lowering blinds during sunny hours, closing windows when it is hotter outside than inside and ventilating at night or early in the morning.

Experts recommend combining several actions—curtains, night ventilation, avoiding appliances that generate heat, and taking care of hydration—to better cope with high temperatures without air conditioning.

Other tricks that help lower the temperature

The damp towel works best if it is not alone. During the day, the most important thing is to block the entry of heat: lower blinds, close curtains, prevent the sun from hitting the windows directly and reduce the use of ovens, irons or appliances that heat the environment.

At night, when the outside temperature drops, more than one window can be opened to generate cross ventilation. If there is a fan, it should be located so that it helps move hot air outside or circulate cooler air from a window.

There are also home remedies such as placing frozen water bottles near the fan flow, although their effect is usually limited and temporary.

Important precautions

Do not hang soaked towels over sockets, cables, lamps or electrical appliances. It is also not advisable to leave damp fabrics for many hours in a closed room, because they can promote the smell of humidity or mold.

And there is another key point: these tricks can provide relief, but they are not enough in the face of an intense heat wave, especially for babies, older people, pregnant women or people with chronic illnesses. In these cases, the most important thing is to hydrate, avoid exertion, look for cool spaces and pay attention to signs of heat stroke, such as dizziness, confusion, very hot skin, vomiting or fainting.

The wet towel can be a quick and cheap help. But the real secret to cooling the house without air conditioning is to combine several measures: preventing heat from entering, ventilating during cool hours and using water wisely to gain some relief.