If your home is still boiling hot despite having a fan switched on then there is an easy way to make it more effective using an item you likely already have in the kitchen.09:20, 01 Jul 2026Summer has well and truly arrived in the UK, with temperatures rocketing from pleasantly mild to unbearably scorching within just a few days. Being cooped up indoors right now can feel stifling and oppressive, leaving most of us huddled in front of fans desperately trying to keep cool.‌What many people don't realise, however, is that fans aren't actually designed to eliminate heat. Instead, they work by drying out the air around you, reducing that sticky, sweaty feeling. While this can make you feel somewhat more comfortable, it won't genuinely bring your body temperature down. But Vikki from Lifestyle Homecare Services has revealed a brilliantly simple trick to make your fan far more effective — and all you need is a milk carton.‌‌Vikki said: "All you need to do is add something cold/frozen in front of the fan and the air being circulated should be much cooler than before. Freeze an old carton of milk filled with water and sit it in front of the fan."Fans merely push air around a room, blowing heat away from your body temporarily — but that warm air remains trapped inside, meaning relief is short-lived.Placing ice in front of a fan is far more efficient, as the fan naturally draws heat from the surrounding air, which requires energy to melt or evaporate the ice.‌This means a frozen bottle won't just make the air feel cooler — it will actively strip away hot air before it reaches you, leaving you feeling considerably more comfortable throughout the day.Any bottle will do the job, but milk cartons are the ideal choice as they are built to hold a generous amount of liquid and boast a larger surface area.‌Simply put, they are bigger, meaning they will absorb more heat than a standard water bottle and keep a room cool for considerably longer.How to make a fan more effectiveTo get started, fill a clean milk carton with water until it is roughly three-quarters full, then pop it in the fridge.Avoid filling the carton to the brim, as water expands when it freezes, so leaving a little space at the top will prevent it from splitting open.Article continues belowNext, place a towel underneath the frozen milk carton to catch any condensation or melting water. Then position the fan in front of the carton, leaving a small gap to keep moisture away from the fan itself.Switch your fan on, and you should feel noticeably more comfortable straight away, no matter how scorching it gets this summer.