In the apartment, the heat builds up during extreme temperatures in summer. Damp towels are supposed to help – but does that really help?
Kassel – Summer is here and temperatures are rising. On some days, the weather in Germany becomes unbearably warm, and often not only outside, but also in apartments and houses. For many people, the heat is a health hazard, so risks should be minimized. In addition to low physical stress, it makes sense to keep the apartment as cool as possible, but this is not always easy, especially in cities. A frequently mentioned tip is to hang up wet towels in the apartment or house. But does that really help against the heat?
Yes, but only to a limited extent, explains Bernd Glassl from the Industry Association for Personal Care and Detergents to the German Press Agency. The evaporation of the water removes heat from the environment and this is felt as a cooling effect. Especially in the immediate vicinity of the fabrics. It is important that the cloth is not dripping wet, but only damp, reports Ökotest. Then it is either hung in front of the window or on a drying rack in the room.
Tips against heat in the apartment: Wet towels as an aid in summer
When drying the towels, evaporation occurs, which cools the room down, writes Ökotest. To enhance this effect, a fan can be hung near the damp fabric. As a result, the resulting cold is better distributed in the room.
- How to cool down your apartment:
- Keep windows closed and darkened during the day
- Ventilate at night to let cool air in
- Remove carpets as they insulate
- Place plants with large leaves in the apartment
- Turn off all non-essential electronic devices as they produce heat
- Avoid using the oven if possible
- Source: Ökotest
However, this cooling method also harbors a risk of mold due to the resulting moisture. Basically, this trick should not be repeated too often and should be saved for particularly hot days. Homes that are prone to mold should avoid it entirely. In order to get rid of the resulting moisture, it would have to be ventilated again. This would make the method obsolete, because then new hot air comes in from outside. (fh)
