Asklemmy

If no ac then stay in the basement while I reasonably can. Drive with windows open. If my work has no ac then the business closes. The material we work with has to be temperature controlled.

When I worked in a restaurant kitchen, we used to soak rags with water and freeze them in the walk in freezer, then once it's nice and frozen we'd wear the rag around our necks.

There's large blood vessels in the neck feeding your brain, so if you're able to cool down the blood there, it'll spread to the whole body surprisingly fast.

I actually managed to get cold in hot humid july summer in the kitchen with that method.

Buy a dual hose portable AC, that's what I did when I lived in an apartment that would get VERY hot no matter what. (Actually, to save some $$ I got a single hose and modified it to a dual hose, but depending on the specific model and the tolerances they built it to, it risks short cycling and possibly burn out)

They're still not nearly efficient as a window AC, but far far better than those single hose ones

If you can fit a window AC do that instead, if you are able to make modifications, a small mini split/heat pump system would do wonderfully. Though I have heard that they make mini splits that go through small windows rather then needing to drill through the wall, so that might be an option too.

The other tips and tricks are nice, if you have exhausted all other AC options and simply can't have an AC at all (Which is mostly due to cost, dual hose portable ACs are pricey) but they really don't compare to an actual AC system.

If you live in a dry climate you can create a makeshift evaporation cooler with a fan, tub, water pump, and evap material.

Set it up in front of an opened window, blow it into the house, and open a window at the other side of the house. You can easily get 20 degree F drop in temp.

Your feet and head are both very vascular, so cooling them will help lots to cool the rest of you.

Head -

Ever been buzzed or bald before? If no, now could be the time to give it a shot. Worse case scenario, you look like shit and let it grow back to whatever's the shortest length that looks decent. Bonus: you'll save a ton of time and money on hair cuts/care.

Keep a container of water water and washcloths in your fridge. Take a cloth out when it's time to veg on the couch, and slap it on your noggin. When it dries, grab a new one. *recommend not throwing used ones back in the water w/o washing first, or your water will get nasty fast.

• If you decide to go buzzed and have never done it before, PROTECT YOUR NOGGIN/SCALP FROM THE SUN. Burns up there hurt like a mofo.

Feet -

This is trading heat discomfort for wet sock discomfort; but if that's a fair trade, then... yeah, wet your socks with cold water. A tub a cold water at the base of your couch can give you something to dip in while you're watching TV or something. Same spiel as the wash cloths - keep your socks/water/tub clean and don't reuse without washing first, or you'll get yourself trenchfoot or some nastiness.

Also, if you're in an apartment that disallows window units... they fit great in a fireplace, and the hot air just vents up the chimney. Your lease likely doesn't say anything about fireplace units. Just sayin'. Just make sure to seal the edges really well so hot air doesn't leak back into your living space.

Get a dehumidifier.

Ensure ceiling fan rotation is switched on summer mode.

Bag of ice in the freezer to chew on and always have in a drink. Ice trays are no good.

Waterhole.

Office job.

Keeping lights off/low can be psychologically "cooler" for some.

Bed with wet hair or damp towel will help sleep faster.

Wash regularly to scrub "ick" layer and keep fresh skin on top.

Pub.

Ice pack vests. Can DIY. Fucking amazing.

Sit around in your undies and pretend you love it and eventually you do.

Get a cold wet towel wrapped around your neck. Feels so good.

Go to the movie theater or supermarket for some AC.

Spray water (fine mist from a bottle) on the inside of your windows and use it to stick aluminium foil to the glass, shiny side out. I do the top ⅔ of the north-facing windows (I’m in the southern hemisphere) each summer and it reduces the indoor heat significantly.

You dont wanna just be blowing around the oven-like air trapped in your house. Open two windows on opposite ends of the house, and point a fan facing outside at one of the windows. This will pull air from the opposite window and create a crossbreeze of fresh air.

Lying shirtless on a hard floor can also help cool your body down

If you have a basement, stay in it. When it was 108°F here in Seattle the other year, it was in the mid to high 70s in my basement office. If you do not have a basement, am evaporative cooking method can cool you a bit of you are in a dry climate. You could also hit up a pool or grocery store or movie theater. All those will help you cool off.

Check Craigslist for a portable AC unit. I was able to snag a free dual hose portable AC unit a month ago. The hotter it is though, the higher the prices are on Craigslist.

Happy cake day!

Do you have ceiling fans? I honestly have rarely even wanted AC because ceiling fans do such a good job at keeping the place cool up to at least the low 30s, when I'm not headed up from doing exercise.

By living in a country with no seasons

Run cold water over your wrists when you're starting to get hot.

Wet T-shirt and sitting in front of a fan.

We naturally cool our bodies by sweating.

You can sort of hack that process by getting a t-shirt wet, putting it on, and allowing the moving air to help speed up the evaporation process.

WARNING: NOT FOR USE IN HIGH HUMIDTY.

Adding more water to an already hot and humid situation risks a Wet Bulb.

Buy a portable AC unit and install it in your bedroom or living room window.

EDIT: I have this one that works well at least on a single room: https://www.amazon.com/Vremi-000-BTU-Portable-Conditioner/dp/B084H4B6NB?th=1

I have a basement where I swear it's 10°C colder than upstairs.

If you have a freezer and a fan, freeze a bunch of water bottles and then put them right behind your fan blades for a cheap AC-like chilly breeze. If you have enough bottles, you can cycle through them and refreeze as they thaw out.