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Cool your home fast with the best in-stock tech, including fans and AC units from 35

As the hottest day of the week arrives, we look at the home cooling hacks to quickly make indoor temperatures feel more comfortable

[Get ahead of the rush by shopping these cooling home buys now]

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Get ahead of the rush by shopping these cooling home buys now(Image: Getty)

Just when we'd all started sleeping under our summer duvets again, another 34C day has arrived. And if the last long spell of scorching weather taught us anything, it's that the high heat won't just happen on one day and then fade to a breezy 22C. During the previous heatwave, Wayfair reported searches for portable air conditioning units soared by an incredible 1,220%, while searches for fans jumped by 528% in just one week as we all desperately tried to get our hands on home cooling tech.

I dont know about you, but this time around, I'm getting organised. From portable air conditioners that are still available to cooling bedding that'll help you sleep, these are the seven buys I'd order now to see you through this week and the rest of summer plus the simple tricks experts swear by for keeping your home cool.

Portable AC unit

[Searches for air conditioners shot up by 1,220% during the last heatwave]

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Searches for air conditioners shot up by 1,220% during the last heatwave

READ MORE: 8 of the best cooling bedroom buys to help you sleep comfortably in the heatwave

If you only buy one thing before temperatures climb, make it this. Unlike a fan, a portable air conditioner actually cools the room rather than simply circulating warm air, making it well worth the investment if you struggle in the heat.

SHOP: MeacoCool MC Series Pro 9000BTU Portable Air Conditioner, 400

Currently one of the few AC units on the internet still in stock, this is a gem of a find. Ideal for rooms 16-26m, it combines cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and fan modes for tailored climate control. Quiet at 51dB and A-rated for energy efficiency, it costs around 25p/hour to run.

Over on Amazon, the 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner for 135.88 is back in stock for the moment and available to ship within five days. It may not cool the room as quickly as the above model, but its a good budget buy that comes complete with a window mounting kit, venting hose and extraction duct.

SHOPPING LEAD's PICK: 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Cooling & Heating with Wifi & Remote, 959.99 at Wayfair

Boasting a class A energy rating and eco-friendly R290 refrigerant, it wont cost as much to run as others. Plus, in the winter, you can also use it as a heater so its a year round investment.

Shopping lead Zoe says

[Zoe has been using Wayfair's Jolydale Portable AC unit]

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Zoe has been using Wayfair's Jolydale Portable AC unit(Image: Zoe Cripps)

I was one of those people who insisted I didn't need air conditioning. Oh, how wrong I was. "It's only hot for a few days a year," I'd tell myself while attempting to sleep with every window open, three fans pointed at the bed and absolutely zero success. Then this Jolydale 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner from Wayfair arrived, and within about 10 minutes my bedroom had gone from tropical greenhouse to somewhere I actually wanted to sleep.

My biggest hesitation was the running cost, because I'd convinced myself it would send my electricity bill through the roof. Thankfully, that's not been the case. Based on its 1.3kWh energy consumption, it costs around 33p an hour to run at full power using current UK electricity prices. Considering I've happily spent more than that on an iced coffee that's gone in ten minutes, it suddenly feels like money very well spent, especially when it means I can actually sleep through the night instead of lying there questioning every life decision that's led me to a south-facing bedroom.

Yes, it's louder than a fan, but that's because it's actually doing something. I'd take a noticeable hum over waking up in a pool of sweat any day. It also works as a fan, dehumidifier and heater, so it won't be gathering dust the second summer's over. Im going as far as to say its my best summer investment.

A good quality fan

[Not all fans are created equal]

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Not all fans are created equal(Image: Getty)

Not all fans are created equal. Tower fans tend to be quieter and take up less floor space, while air circulators help move cool air around the whole room, which is what you ideally want when it feels like youre just lying in stagnant heat.

SHOP: Russell Hobbs Rhbhc2030w Bladeless Heat And Cool Fan, 139.99 at Wayfair

You could liken this to a Dyson, but its also a third of the price. This went out of stock fast during the last heatwave, but its back and available to buy. Choose from 9 speed settings, from a gentle whisper to a powerful blast. The oscillation feature also spreads the air evenly throughout your space, so you feel comfortable in no time.

TOP TIP: Position fans near windows or doorways to help circulate cooler air throughout your home. For an extra cooling effect, place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to create a refreshing breeze, advises Wayfair.co.uks Resident Style Advisor, Art Director Olivia Sauerwein.

Breathable bedding

[Look for breathable bedding fabrics like bamboo]

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Look for breathable bedding fabrics like bamboo(Image: Getty)

Sleeping is often the hardest part of a heatwave. Swapping heavy duvets for lightweight cotton or bamboo bedding and cooling pillows can make a huge difference.

SHOP: M&S Stay Cool Lyocell Rich Bedding Set, from 45

With lyocell-rich fabric, this bedding bundle combines natural breathability with a smooth,

fluid feel. Meanwhile, Bedsures Rayon Derived from Bamboo Duvet Cover Set, from 29.99, is made from 100% rayon derived from bamboo. This silky set offers enhanced breathability and reduced nighttime humidity compared with traditional cotton.

Blackout curtains

[Invest in some blackout curtains for the daytime]

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Invest in some blackout curtains for the daytime(Image: Getty)

One of the easiest ways to stop your home from heating up is to keep blinds and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day, especially in south-facing rooms. But your choice of curtains also really makes a difference.

Olivia expands: "Blackout curtains aren't just for winter. They can help block direct sunlight and reduce heat build-up indoors, particularly in south-facing rooms that receive sunlight throughout the day."

SHOP: Solar Blackout Eyelet Curtains, from 35 at Dunelm

Shop them in four different colours to suit your room, the blackout coating keeps out external light, while the thermal properties help to regulate room temperature.

Freezable accessories

[Freezable accessories can make a heatwave more bearable]

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Freezable accessories can make a heatwave more bearable(Image: Getty)

Ice cube trays, cooling towels and freezer packs might not be the most glamorous of buys, but they're often the first things to disappear once a heatwave begins, so pick them up now to avoid a last-minute doomscroll.

SHOP: Hilph Foot Ice Pack Slippers, 22.90 at Amazon

Sometimes simply cooling your feet can help reduce your core body temperature, so having a pack of these ready to wear is a godsend. Plus, its got thousands of five-star reviews from customers struggling in the heat.

Can you also pop YUYUs Ice Pulse Wrist Cooler, 27, in the freezer for when you get desperate. Worn like a wristband, it's filled with water, popped in the freezer, and delivers a gentle cooling sensation designed to help regulate your body temperature by cooling the blood flowing through your wrist.

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