How To Keep Your Cool in the Texas Heat

Although it might feel like August, it’s only mid-June. And it’s hot. Really, really hot.

Fun fact: The three hottest summers — 2011, 1980, and 1998 — all had an early triple-digit heat day. And with our first 100-degree-plus temperatures already on record, we’re well ahead of schedule.

Read on for ways to help you keep your cool.

Use Natural Fabrics

Natural fibers such as cotton and linen are cool and breathable (think bedsheets, upholstery, and cushion covers). Light or pastel colors also retain less heat.

Brooklinen’s top-rated washed linen collection is light, airy, and stonewashed for the ultimate in softness. Plus, each piece is washed and dyed in small batches and OEDO-TEX® certified, so it’s free from harmful substances.

For extra cooling power, add a Core Down Alternative Pillow. The 100-percent cotton cover is infused with NASA-approved technology to absorb, store, and release heat as your temperature changes throughout the night.

We also love Evercool’s Cooling Comforter which regulates your temperature and boosts melatonin so you can fall asleep faster. An added bonus: the luxuriously silky smooth fabric helps reduce cortisol — aka the stress hormone — so you can enjoy a deeper sleep.

And for those willing to invest a little more, Chilisleep’s Cool Mesh Pad’s cooling technology leverages water’s amazing thermal powers to promote deep restorative sleep. Smart settings let you set a sleep temperature schedule to keep you from waking up too hot in the middle of the night.

Shade the Windows

For the very best protection, choose UV-deflecting glass with features such as double-glazing or low e-coating to keep the heat from the sun away from your home. Innovative window treatments can also help diminish the overwhelming heat and glare.

Your best bet: Insulated or blackout curtains that have a dense weave and high thread count or a synthetic thermal backing. And redesigned for 2022, Hunter Douglas’ PowerView® Automation lets you program window treatments for optimal efficiency, privacy, and security.

Incorporate Fans When You Can

While it’s easy to crank up the AC, fans are a simple, eco-friendly way to help beat the heat. Whether you have a ceiling fan, pedestal fan, or both, you’re already ahead of the game for keeping your house cool.

On the pricier side, Maverick’s LED indoor/outdoor ceiling fan is as stylish as it is sustainable. Or check out Vornado’s Silver Swan Alchemy Oscillating Fan, touted by Esquire as “the antidote to the hulking plastic monsters that litter today’s homes.”

An outdoor mister attaches to a standard water hose and turns a normal flow of H₂0 into a fine mist. Robb Report’s top pick: Lasko’s Misting Fan, which can reduce the ambient temperature of any outdoor space by as much as 25 degrees.

Have Fun in the Sun

Inflatable drink floats keep beverages close at hand. Or turn a watermelon into the season’s coolest drink dispenser. Simply scoop out the melon, insert the tap into the rind, fill with your favorite beverage, and enjoy!

We also searched out summer’s most decadent pool float. Funboy’s Cabana Dayclub has a slew of fun features, such as separate water entry, mesh foot baths, central cooler, backrests, even a removable sunshade.