Summer may be winding down, but there are still plenty of hot, sticky days ahead. And to help you get through them all, we’re sharing some nifty summertime hacks. Whether you’re simply trying to stay cool and comfortable or squeeze Tips out more fun in the sun, these tips are sure to help you get through the last bit of summer with ease.
- Avoid popsicle messes. Summer wouldn’t be the same without a cool, frozen treat. And now you can enjoy your favorite popsicle without the mess. Simply push the stick through the center of a cupcake liner so it catches any drips, keeping your fingers clean.
- Stay cool without AC. Whether your AC is on the fritz or you want to take some pressure off of it, here’s an energy- and cost-efficient alternative: Fill a Styrofoam cooler with ice, then mount two dryer vents and a fan in slots cut into the top. Hot air will be pulled into the cooler and emerge from the vents cool, crisp, and ultra-comfortable.
- Put your ceiling fan to good use. Run the ceiling fan with your AC to help circulate cool air during the summer months. Come winter, reverse the fan direction to circulate warm air and help keep the heating bills down.
- Chill bottles quickly. Want to get those beverages chilled in no time? Wrap a wet paper towel around a room temperature bottle of wine, beer, or water, and place the bottle in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the bottle and enjoy!
- Use toothpaste to treat bug bites. Mosquitos sure know how to ruin a good time. Soothe your scratching by dabbing a dot of toothpaste onto a bug bite to reduce the itchiness and swelling.
- Clean the grill with an onion. Fresh onions are not only great for a savory kebab or on a burger, the pungent bulb can also help clean the grill. Save yourself the effort of scraping grill grates and simply rub onion halves over a hot grate to loosen and lift away food residue.
- Make a DIY fly trap. There’s nothing more annoying than swatting flies away as you try to enjoy an al fresco meal. Banish these pesky intruders with a DIY fly trap. About 30 minutes before serving, place a couple bowls of lemon halves topped with cloves on the table to ensure a pest-proof dining experience.
- Use tortilla chips as a fire starter. Out of kindling and need to get a fire going quickly? The high fat content in tortilla chips makes them ideal for feeding a fledgling fire.
- Store ice cream in bags to prevent freezer burn. Keep your ice cream soft and easy to scoop and prevent freezer burn by storing the container in a gallon-size zip-top plastic bag.
- Use baby powder to remove sticky sand. Keep your car clean at the end of a beach day and remove sticky sand from skin with baby powder. Sprinkle a generous amount of baby powder onto dry skin, focusing on those crevices where sand tends to collect. Rub it in to wipe off the excess sand then hop in your car.
No matter how you spend your summer days, one thing’s for certain – nothing beats coming home to a perfectly cool home. Yet if your house is anything but cool and comfortable, it’s time to give Eagle Service Company a call. Whether it’s AC system repair, annual maintenance, or new system installation, Eagle is ready to assist. Contact us today and get back to savoring every last bit of summer with ease.
