People might be able to get a better night’s sleep with the ‘Egyptian method’ (Image: Getty)
Experts have suggested that using an ancient method can cool rooms at night quickly and cheaply – and all you need is an item all houses already have in abundance. The fourth heatwave of the year is set to peak on Wednesday with temperatures of up to 35C, as experts warn wildfires could be “exceptionally severe”.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert for the East Midlands, the East, South East and London. The alert is in place from Tuesday to Thursday, and the agency warned that rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups. Temperatures are expected to peak as high as 35C across south-east England on Wednesday.
It means people will be sweltering at night and trying to keep cool is very hard. However some are suggesting that people us the ‘Egyptian sleep method’. The Egyptian sleep method involves cooling down on hot nights by sleeping under a slightly damp sheet, which lowers body temperature through evaporation.
An expert said: “It may improve sleep in hot, dry climates without air conditioning, but it is less effective in humid conditions and can potentially irritate sensitive skin. While generally safe for most healthy adults, proper ventilation, lightweight fabrics, and not over-wetting the sheet are key to making this cooling trick work comfortably.
The Egyptian sleep method, a viral hack for staying cool on sweltering nights, involves dampening a sheet or towel with cool water to lower your body temperature while you sleep. Some say it can lead to better, more comfortable sleep without cranking the air conditioner (AC).”
Purported to date back to ancient Egypt, where people endured hot desert nights without fans or AC, this approach relies on evaporative cooling. It’s the same principle that makes sweating effective at cooling the body.
Alex Dimitriu, Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine expert said: “The Egyptian sleep method involves sleeping under a damp sheet, which cools off from evaporation.
“Because water absorbs heat as it evaporates, your body temperature drops as the water gradually evaporates. Some variations of this method suggest sleeping in minimal (or no) clothing. Another alternative is to wear a damp T-shirt to bed. For the best results, make sure that your bedroom is well-ventilated to avoid trapping excess humidity.”
In a similar way, Lifestyle Homecare said: “It can be very stressful trying to keep yourselves and others cool, especially helping the elderly, children or pets to keep cool when temperatures soar. Don’t use frozen pads etc instead pop some damp towels into the fridge to cool. Once they are suitably cold, lay them out inside a bin bag, cover them with a blanket and use them as a makeshift cooling mat to sit on/hold on their lap.”
RBC said this can also be used for hanging it at windows – but there needs to be some kind of airflow. It said: “A regular bath towel can be an effective way to keep your bedroom cooler. Simply dampen the towel with water and hang it in front of an open window to create a cooling effect.
“As air passes through the damp fabric, some of the water evaporates. This evaporation absorbs heat from the air, making the airflow cooler. However, the key to this method is air circulation. It only works if air is actively moving through the towel. A damp towel hanging in still air will have little effect.
“The trick is also effective when used with a fan that blows air through the towel. If you’re placing a damp towel in front of a fan, choose one that’s roughly the same size as the fan’s air intake—not significantly smaller or larger.”
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