As the temperature rises it seems so easy blast the room with cool, air conditioned air, but it is possible to keep cool naturally and lessen your reliance on electricity and appliances. Read on as we share eight easy, eco friendly and toxin free ways to keep cool throughout the day and night that will lessen your impact on the planet.
Disclaimer: If you are experiencing a heatwave or very hot weather, please exercise common sense and extreme caution. We recommend you drink plenty of water throughout the day and avoid caffeine; stay out of the sun and seek shade and shelter; slow down and avoid strenuous activity; wear loose fitting and light coloured clothes made from natural fibres; and check on your neighbours, friends and family to make sure they are ok.
1. Use a non-toxic ice pack to keep your lunch cool
Packing lunch for school or work? Add a cooling ice pack to keep it safe and cool until lunch time. These colourful cooling ice packs from Yumbox freeze in just three hours and when placed in an insulated lunch bag, will keep lunch cool for five hours. TIP: When shopping for an ice pack, look for one that is free from 'blue goo' and made with non-toxic ingredients. All ice packs available at Biome non-toxic and safe for kids. Shop cooling ice packs at Biome here >
2. Pack your lunch in an insulated lunch bag that is PVC and lead free
An insulated lunch bag keeps food cool and protected until lunch time. There are lots of shapes and sizes available at Biome, for big eaters, snackers, kids and adults - you're bound to find one that fits your lunch and lunch box! TIP: The best insulated lunch bag is one that is free from BPA, PVC, lead and phthalates. These lunch bags are non-toxic and the safest to store food in. Find out which insulated lunch bag fits what lunch box here >
Shop insulated lunch bags at Biome here >
3. Keep your drink cool with an insulated water bottle free from BPA
It is important to stay well hydrated throughout the day, particularly in hot and humid weather. Drinking plenty of water will also support your body's ability to cool yourself down naturally. Adults should aim for between 2-3L of water daily. Did you know an insulated water bottle can keep your water cool for 12 hours! If you're out and about all day, at uni, at a festival, travelling, hiking, or just on the go, an insulated water bottle will ensure you have access to cool, healthy water all day. Fill it up with water from the tap or your water filter at home, and sip throughout the day! TIP: When choosing a water bottle, opt for one that is free from BPA. BPA is found in many hard plastic bottles and can imitate the body's hormones, interfering with with the production, secretion, transport, action, function, and elimination of natural hormones.
Shop BPA free water bottles here >
4. Cool your body naturally with peppermint
Peppermint is known for its cooling properties due to its high menthol content. You might like to take a cool shower and use a natural peppermint soap, or sip on a hot or iced tea that contains peppermint, like our yummy Love Tea digestive tea. You might also like to try and make your own cooling peppermint and Rhassoul Clay hair mask, a peppermint foot soak, a healing peppermint and seaweed bath soak or a peppermint and coffee body scrub bar using the recipes and ingredients found at the Biome Naked Beauty Bar. TIP: While drinking hot tea may seem counterintuitive, it can actually help you sweat more which will in turn cool your body down naturally.
5. Keep cool naturally by wearing clothes made from natural fibres that breathe
Opt for loose, lightly coloured clothing made from natural fibres like organic cotton, linen and hemp, which will allow the skin to breath and sweat to be evaporated, cooling you down. Synthetic and tight clothing doesn't allow the skin to breath, trapping sweat, heat and moisture. TIP: Support ethical clothing brands that champion transparency, sustainable fabrics, fair treatment of those who make your clothes, environmentally-responsible production, and innovation. Biome's Slow Fashion department has a great range of comfortable, ethical clothing for men and women. New to slow and ethical fashion? Learn more about the movement here > Shop slow fashion and clothing made from natural fibres at Biome here >
6. Choose organic cotton bedding that hasn't been coated in formaldehyde resin
Did you know, most sheets, pillowcases and quilt covers are coated with toxic formaldehyde resin to make them 'easier to care for'? Formaldehyde resin is what makes bedding anti-wrinkle, colour fast, moth proof and mildew resistant, but it is a known carcinogen and is one of the many chemical toxins found in homes and wardrobes doctors believe contribute to Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. TIP: Let your body breathe naturally when you sleep by choosing organic cotton, linen and hemp bedding that is chemical free and not coated with formaldehyde resin. Organic cotton bed linen promotes a healthy, comfortable and peaceful rest, and allow the body to breath and cool naturally. Find organic cotton bed linen here >
7. Drape a face washer or tea towel soaked in cool water over your face and neck
Feeling hot? Drape a face washer or clean tea towel that has been dunked in cool water over your face, neck, shoulders and chest. You will cool down quickly and naturally, particularly if there is a light breeze. TIP: You can do this anywhere, whether you're at home or travelling, all you need is access to some water from a tap or a natural source. Find our Brightwood organic cotton cloth here >
8. Spritz a cooling face mist or rose hydrosol onto your skin
A spritz of one of our floral hydrosols will leave your feeling refreshed, uplifted and cool. Our range includes the popular rose hydrosol, as well as lavender, chamomile and orange flower hydrosols.
TIP: Choose a hydrosol that is 100% pure and not diluted with water, preservatives or synthetics. Always avoid ingredients such as benzyl alcohol (synthetic preservative and linked to infant deaths), and phenoxyethanol (a synthetic fragrance and preservative, and a suspected reproductive and developmental toxin). You will not find these ingredients in any of the products at Biome.
You can view our strict ingredient standards here >
Shop toxin free toners and hydrosols here > How do you keep cool naturally? Share your tips in the comments section below.
