Households in England urged to put bedsheet on sofa this week
It’s another boiling hot week, in a summer which has been defined by recurring heatwaves.
If you spend most of your time in the house, especially working from home, heat can build up quickly. All those appliances, plus the heat that people give off, all trapped inside a heavily insulated old British house. It’s a recipe for overheating.
And when it’s as hot as it’s been this week – currently the Met Office predicts 33C temperatures for London today, and between 26C and 34C for the rest of this week until Monday – even simple things like sitting on the settee can be difficult.
Energy supplier British Gas has a list of advice for customers to help them deal with high heat conditions, which includes the usual tips such as closing your windows, and avoiding eating in the kitchen.
But one tip involves treating leather sofas in the hot weather to make them usable even when conditions are roasting.
British Gas says: “Sick of sticking to leather sofas? Cool it down by putting a lightweight throw or sheet made of natural fibres over it.
“You don’t need to buy pricey new soft furnishings – you can improvise with a bed sheet, and it will do the job just as well.
“Breathable fabrics – like cotton and linen – will always keep you more comfortable when it’s warm.”
British Gas adds that this focus on breathable materials extends to your clothes too. It says: “Wear loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibres like cotton and linen.
“Use an icepack, chilled hot water bottle or cold cloth on your wrists and feet for an instant cold hit. And if it’s really stuffy inside, consider a dehumidifier. It’ll pull the moisture out of the air and let your skin breathe better.”
If you’re struggling to sleep tonight, you can also make a change to your mattress. It says: “Traditional, heavy mattresses are very effective at absorbing heat from your body and the surroundings. Perfect in winter, less so in summertime! So try adding a bamboo mattress topper when temperatures soar, as it won’t soak up the heat like your mattress will.”
Right now, the Met Office says that the UK is likely to hit heatwave conditions this week, especially in England for what will be the fourth heatwave this summer.
It says: “It will be a hot and humid week for many, especially in the south, with some areas experiencing their fourth heatwave of the summer so far.
“The peak of the warmth is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, where temperatures could reach 34°C before a slow decline for the rest of the week.
“Although there will be lots of sunshine on offer, there is the potential for some heavy and thundery showers, especially in the north.
“Today (Tuesday) will be hot across much of England and Wales, with temperatures reaching the low to mid 30s°C in central and southern areas, with a peak of around 34°C most likely in the West Midlands or east Wales. Other parts of the UK will also be warm, though coastal regions remain relatively cooler due to sea breezes.”
