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'Revolutionary' ways to cool down while working from home as Britain hit by hot weather

ended 27. June 2025

BUSINESS owners have shared their top tips to keep cool in the office and working from home including a “revolutionary” cheap device.

Amber heat health alerts have been issued for parts of England as temperatures are set to climb to more than 30C.

They will be in force from midday today until 6pm on Tuesday, with the warmest weather expected on Sunday and Monday.

The amber alerts will be in place for five regions - East Midlands, South East, South West, East and London - while less serious yellow heat health alerts will be in force for two areas, Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands.

Business owners have shared how they keep their offices cool and offered some tips for working from home when temperatures go out of control.

They include:

  • Buying a cheap wearable neck fan
  • Buying a cheap USB fan for your desk
  • Using shaving cream on your feet
  • Putting a damp, cold tea towel around your neck
  • Turn your hot water bottle into a cooling device by filling it with ice
  • Putting a bowl of ice in the path of a desk fan

Samuel Mather-Holgate, Independent Financial Adviser at Mather and Murray Financial, advised using a “revolutionary” neck fan that can be bought online for less than £10.

Or you can use shaving cream from your bathroom on your feet.

He added: "After first seeing them on holiday last year, neck fans have been revolutionary for some of our staff. Cheap ones purchased online seem to do the job well, keeping everyone comfortable whilst working from home. 

"I know some of my colleagues enjoy a Zoom call dressed for the office top half, but with shorts on and feet in cold water out of sight. I also advocate for using shaving cream on your feet. 

“Not only should this mean you keep them looking pretty, but if you let it linger, the ingredients keep you cool whilst it's warm outside.”

Scott Gallacher, Director at Rowley Turton, shared budget-friendly solutions including USB desk fans and a “damp, cold tea towel around the neck”.

He continued: "When we moved into our new office in 2020, we made the decision to invest in air-conditioning for the main office and our two main client meeting rooms. It was a considerable expense at the time, but with climate change making extreme weather more common, we saw it as an essential investment in creating a comfortable working environment for both our team and our clients. 

"And it’s proved to be an invaluable addition to the office space. For those working remotely or in parts of the building without air-con, we still recommend simple, budget-friendly solutions – like USB desk fans, closing the windows and curtains throughout the day, and staying hydrated with a chilled water bottle. 

"A slightly unconventional but highly effective tip? A damp, cold tea towel around the neck – not the most stylish accessory, but it works wonders in a heatwave."

Kate Allen, Owner at Finest Stays, said you can turn your hot water bottle into a cooling device by filling it with ice.

She continued: "At Finest Stays, we’ve perfected the art of keeping cool when the heat hits. We swear by Salcombe’s natural plunge pool (the sea) which is cold enough to reset your entire nervous system during a lunch break. 

"For those stuck at their desks, we swear by: A hot water bottle filled with cold water and frozen – budget air con for under a fiver. Linen everything – from With Nothing Underneath shirts to WFH setups. 

“Folding hand fans – old-school, chic, and surprisingly effective. A jug of iced peppermint tea – refreshing, hydrating, and cooler than water.”

Kundan Bhaduri, Entrepreneur at The Kushman Group, suggested putting a bowl of ice in the path of a desk fan to keep cool.

He added: "Forget costly, energy-guzzling portable air conditioners. My office stays habitable thanks to a robust, sub-£20 oscillating desk fan – a triumph of inexpensive engineering. For a truly bracing effect, a bowl of ice placed in its path provides remarkably effective, and virtually free, evaporative cooling. 

"Beyond this, it’s about elementary thermal control: blinds down on sun-facing windows (a zero-cost energy saving measure bafflingly overlooked by many), light clothing, and a steady intake of water, not sugary concoctions. 

“These aren't revolutionary breakthroughs requiring government grants - just some good old-fashioned resourcefulness and common sense, something in increasingly short supply.”

4 responses from the Newspage community

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Editor
Samuel Mather-HolgateVerified
Managing Director & IFA at Mather and Murray Financial
After first seeing them on holiday last year, neck fans have been revolutionary for some of our staff. Cheap ones purchased online seem to do the job well, keeping everyone comfortable whilst working from home. I know some of my colleagues enjoy a Zoom call dressed for the office top half, but with shorts on and feet in cold water out of sight. I also advocate for using shaving cream on your feet. Not only should this mean you keep them looking pretty, but if you let it linger, the ingredients keep you cool whilst its warm outside.
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Editor
Kate AllenVerified
Owner at Finest Stays
At Finest Stays, we’ve perfected the art of keeping cool when the heat hits. We swear by Salcombe’s natural plunge pool (the sea) which is cold enough to reset your entire nervous system during a lunch break.

For those stuck at their desks, we swear by:
A hot water bottle filled with cold water and frozen – budget air con for under a fiver.
Linen everything – from With Nothing Underneath shirts to WFH setups.
Folding hand fans – old-school, chic, and surprisingly effective.
A jug of iced peppermint tea – refreshing, hydrating, and cooler than water.
Copy

Editor
Scott GallacherVerified
Director at Rowley Turton
When we moved into our new office in 2020, we made the decision to invest in air-conditioning for the main office and our two main client meeting rooms. It was a considerable expense at the time, but with climate change making extreme weather more common, we saw it as an essential investment in creating a comfortable working environment for both our team and our clients. And it’s proved to be an invaluable addition to the office space.

For those working remotely or in parts of the building without air-con, we still recommend simple, budget-friendly solutions – like USB desk fans, closing the windows and curtains throughout the day, and staying hydrated with a chilled water bottle. A slightly unconventional but highly effective tip? A damp, cold tea towel around the neck – not the most stylish accessory, but it works wonders in a heatwave.
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Kundan BhaduriVerified
Entrepreneur, Investor and Landlord at The Kushman Group
Ah, the amber alerts, the annual British melodrama when the sun dares to shine with intent. While the pronouncements from the met office suggest imminent societal collapse, those of us with work to do and businesses to manage rely on rather more grounded, economically sound solutions than panic. Forget costly, energy-guzzling portable air conditioners. My office stays habitable thanks to a robust, sub-£20 oscillating desk fan – a triumph of inexpensive engineering. For a truly bracing effect, a bowl of ice placed in its path provides remarkably effective, and virtually free, evaporative cooling. Beyond this, it’s about elementary thermal control: blinds down on sun-facing windows (a zero-cost energy saving measure bafflingly overlooked by many), light clothing, and a steady intake of water, not sugary concoctions. These aren't revolutionary breakthroughs requiring government grants - just some good old-fashioned resourcefulness and common sense, something in increasingly short supply.