We’ve survived our first week of summer. And yes, it’s hot. If you’re one of the lucky ones with a lake or mountain home, please invite us. In the meantime, here’s some sure-fire ways to help you keep your cool—no matter what the temperature.
POOL FLOATS
Love to lounge? Lay back and relax on Frontgate’s Drift Chaise Float. Soft beads contour to your body, providing luxurious support.
Or for fun in the sun, choose from an array of over-the-top, Insta-worthy floats. There’s something for everyone—think light-up swans, luxury jets, rainbow unicorns, even an everything bagel.
And who’d have guessed Malibu Barbie turned 50 this year? Funboy’s limited edition anniversary jet float promises to transport you to “the jet-set lifestyle of the 1970’s and land at the beach where it’s always sunny and the fun never stops.”
Got a baby or puppy? There’s a float for that. SwimWays baby pool float has a removable canopy and activity center. And Frontgate’s dog lounger will keep your pooch cool and relaxed.
OUTDOOR SHOWERS
Start your day with a refreshing spray. It’s also ideal post walk, work-out, or gardening. Amp up the style factor with a custom surround, bench, plants, and landscaped pathway.
MISTERS
Misters make the sweltering heat a whole lot more manageable. These handy compact fans can reduce the temperature of any outdoor space by as much as 25 degrees. Simply attach to a standard water hose to turn your normal flow of H20 into a fine, cooling mist.
BEDDING
Hot, sweaty nights have a time and a place. But when all you want is a good night of ZZ’s, start with your bedding.
“Your body’s ability to regulate temperature is a big part of how it regulates sleep,” Dr. Michael Grandner, the director of the sleep and health research program at the University of Arizona, told New York magazine’s Strategist. “And one of the ways that the body regulates temperature is by excreting small amounts of sweat.” Breathable sheets allows moisture to evaporate into the air, thus cooling your body down.
Your best bet: natural fibers, like cotton and linen. The online publication gives top ratings to SOL Organics percale sheeting—“crisp like your favorite shirt”—for its lightweight breathability. For optimal effect, add a cooling pillow.
A more advanced—albeit pricier—option is a sleep system. Chilisleep’s Cool Mesh model sports a hydro-powered thermal range that operates from 55-115 degrees. What if bed partners don’t agree? No problem. It’s available in half or full sizes.
JUST FOR FUN
Sometimes it’s the little things that help beat the heat. This portable, personal neck fan just might be summer’s most essential accessory.
This is literally a vest you freeze and wear. It won’t leak on clothing and the cold can last for hours at a time.
Ice coffee lovers, rejoice. It takes just a minute to turn standard drip coffee into a cold, caffeinated treat. The ingenious multi-chamber design also chills tea, wine, even beer that’s been sitting in the sun too long.
And finally, what’s better on a hot day than a homemade ice pop? The New York Times Wirecutter researched dozens of molds and gives top billing to Tovolo’s Classic Pop Molds—the “most consistent and easy-to-eat pops we’ve tried.”
