How to sleep in a heatwave without AC

When your bedroom won't drop below 28°C, sleep becomes almost impossible. Most of Europe isn't built for heat, and installed AC is rare. Here are twelve things that genuinely help you sleep in a heatwave — starting with free tricks, then the cheap gear that makes the biggest difference.

Free tricks (do these first)

1. Close blinds and windows during the day. Keep the hot afternoon air and sun out; only open up once it's cooler outside than in (usually after midnight).
2. Create a cross-breeze at night. Open windows on opposite sides of the flat to pull cooler night air through.
3. Cool your pulse points. A cold, damp cloth on wrists, neck and ankles lowers how hot you feel fast.
4. Take a lukewarm shower before bed — not cold, which makes your body generate heat afterward.
5. Ditch the duvet; use a thin cotton sheet and swap synthetic bedding for breathable cotton or linen.
6. Freeze a water bottle and place it by your feet, or a damp towel in the freezer for 20 minutes.
7. Sleep low. Heat rises — a ground-floor room or even a mattress on the floor is cooler.

Cheap gear that makes the biggest difference

If the heat is going to last, a small purchase can turn a sleepless night into a bearable one.

• A quiet tower or pedestal fan (from ~€30) is the single best value. Moving air over your skin dramatically lowers how hot you feel. Point it across your bed, not directly at your face, and place a bowl of ice in front of it for a DIY cool breeze. See tower fans on Amazon.de →
• An evaporative air cooler (from ~€60) blows air chilled by evaporating water — great in dry heat, no window kit needed. See air coolers →
• A dehumidifier (from ~€120) if your room is muggy — dry air feels noticeably cooler and helps you drop off. See dehumidifiers →

When only real AC will do

If you're in a heat pocket where fans just aren't enough, a portable air conditioner is the only no-installation option that actually lowers the temperature. It's a bigger spend (~€250+) but it's the difference between sleeping and not. See our portable AC buying guide to pick the right size.