When the mercury rises, homes without air conditioning can get stuffy and uncomfortable, making it difficult to relax, eat or sleep. Try these heat hacks to stay cool and calm all summer long.

1. Unplug the TV and close the laptop. Electrical appliances emit heat, so switch off everything you’re not using and make sure they’re unplugged at the wall too. TVs and computers are the worst offenders, so ensure they’re all closed down.

2. Make your own air conditioning. If you have a tabletop fan, you can turn it into a DIY air-conditioning unit by placing a bowl of ice water in front of it so the air skims over the ice and gets supercooled.

3. Freeze your pillowcase. A cool pillow is a real luxury on a hot summer evening. Superchill yours by wrapping the pillowcase in plastic wrap and putting it in the freezer before bedtime, then popping it back on just before you turn in for the night.

4. Choose natural materials. Avoid synthetic materials, particularly in a bedroom, as they won’t allow your skin to breathe properly, which can increase body temperature, particularly in a warm bedroom.

5. Make an ice-water bottle. Take your hot-water bottle out of hibernation and turn it into an ice pack to cool down a bed. Fill it with cold water, place it in the freezer, then pop it between the sheets just before you head to bed.

6. Turn off the lights. All lights emit heat, some more than others. To avoid overheating a room in summer, make sure you keep all lights switched off whenever possible and install energy-efficient lightbulbs to reduce the amount of energy given off as heat.