Using a fan in the following creative ways will help you feel cooler and bring many other surprising benefits.

The Benefits of Sticking an Urgo Patch on Your Fan

Urgo patches, or medical adhesive bandages, are common household items usually found in the first-aid kit. Besides their primary use for covering minor wounds, you can repurpose them for several other handy uses.

All you need are a few Urgo patches and some essential oils—choose according to your preference, such as lemongrass, peppermint, grapefruit, or any other refreshing scents. These oils not only create a fresh and pleasant atmosphere that relaxes your mind but also act as natural mosquito and insect repellents. If you don’t have essential oils on hand, you can substitute with medicated oil or balm (like tiger balm).

The method is incredibly simple: peel off the Urgo patch, add a few drops of essential oil to the cotton center, then stick it onto the front grill of your fan. If you’re worried the airflow will blow it off, place it on the back side of the fan instead.

This trick helps diffuse the scent more widely throughout the room, providing a soothing, fresh environment while effectively repelling mosquitoes and other flying insects.

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Additional Tips to Stay Cool with Your Fan

Place a Bowl of Ice Water in Front of the Fan

To boost the cooling effect of your fan, put a bowl filled with cold ice water right in front of it. As the fan blows, the airflow picks up the chill from the ice water and spreads cool mist around the room, making the air more refreshing and also increasing humidity—a great help during dry, hot days.

If you don’t have ice, a bowl of plain water will also improve the cooling effect, though less dramatically. Just be careful if you have children around; make sure the bowl is placed safely to avoid spills or accidents, and don’t let water drip into the fan to prevent electrical hazards.

DIY Mist Fan Using Plastic Bottles

You can create a simple misting fan with two plastic bottles:

1. Cut off about 2.5 cm from the bottom of each bottle to create a hollow space for ice.

2. Poke small holes around the cut edge.

3. Use string or wire to securely attach the two bottles to the back of the fan, with the bottle caps pointing downward.

4. Fill the bottles with ice cubes.

5. Turn on the fan and enjoy the cool mist effect as air passes through the icy bottles.

When the ice melts, carefully remove the water to avoid spills near the fan’s motor.

Use Saltwater Ice Bottles for Longer Cooling

Instead of plain ice, prepare a few bottles with about 50 grams of salt mixed into water. Shake until the salt dissolves completely, then freeze the bottles until fully solid.

Salt lowers the freezing point, so the ice melts slower, giving you longer-lasting cool air when placed near the fan (about 15–20 cm away).

These saltwater ice bottles can be reused multiple times, making this an economical and efficient cooling hack.

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Extra Tips to Maximize Fan Cooling and Comfort

• Keep the Fan Clean: Dust buildup on fan blades can reduce airflow and efficiency. Regularly wipe down the fan blades and grill to maintain optimal performance.

• Use Fans in Combination: Position multiple fans strategically for better air circulation, especially if you don’t have air conditioning.

• Create Cross Ventilation: Place fans near windows or doors to help pull cooler air in and push hot air out.

• Add Natural Fragrances: Besides Urgo patches, you can hang small sachets of dried herbs or flowers near your fan for a pleasant, natural scent.

By trying these simple yet clever tricks, you can enhance your comfort and enjoy a cooler, fresher living space even on the hottest days.