Mumbai is currently witnessing a meltdown like never before. Although the season of monsoon is approaching, the city is nowhere near getting relief from the harsh sun and humid climate any time soon. Mumbaikars have held on to hand fans, sunglasses and cold beverages tightly to escape the summer heat but to no avail. 
 
While one is sure to get grilled on stepping outside, the heat has also permeated indoors making homes feel like hot air balloons. To help you keep your home interiors cool, Mid-day.com roped in actors and experts to seek friendly hacks.

 
Actors share tips to keep home interiors cool
Sumeet Raghavan, one of India’s most loved actors who we all loved watching on the popular TV show ‘Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’ believes it is best to not stay outdoors in the sun for long unless necessary and rather spend time indoors. 
 
For this actor who is currently seen as Rajesh Wagle in Sony SAB`s ‘Wagle Ki Duniya - Nayi Peedhi, Naye Kissey’, spending a typical summer afternoon at home involves sitting in a comfy t-shirt and short pants and playing his favourite harmonium and singing. As for food, he says, “I love to relish summer special foods like homemade aamras, panha or aam panna, and ambe dal which is a staple in Marathi households during the summer season.” 
 
Doling out tips to keep home interiors cool in summer, Raghavan shares, “In ancient days, way before ACs could make our lives easier, people used to raise curtains commonly called as taat ke parde or waala in Marathi and then sprinkle water on them for a cooling effect. Now, it is best to make use of white-coloured cotton curtains to keep the home interiors pleasant, if not cool.” 
 
Besides this, the actor also suggests people stay hydrated and store water in earthen pots and bottles to sip on naturally cold water. 
 
Similarly, actor Mahesh Thakur who entertained and made us laugh through his popular shows like Shararat, tells Mid-day.com that he loves a refreshing morning cup of iced tea at home, during the summer season. “I catch up on reading, delve into script rehearsals, and spend quality time with my family. It`s also a great time to indulge Indian classical music, particularly Raag Malhar, which beautifully reminds me that the monsoons are just around the corner.” 
 
Sharing his bit of advice on how to keep your home interiors cool, Thakur who is currently seen as Jaidev Sharma in Sony SAB`s ‘Aangan Aapno Kaa’, says, “To keep my house naturally cool, I rely on cross-ventilation; opening windows on opposite sides of the home early in the morning and late in the evening to let the cooler air flow through. I use light-coloured curtains to reflect heat and ensure all ceiling fans are in good working condition to circulate air efficiently. Adding indoor plants also helps in cooling the environment naturally. These are simple, effective methods that can make a significant difference in making your home a pleasant retreat from the summer heat.”
 
Another actor, Kishori Shahane Vij who has charmed the hearts of many with her timeless beauty and acting feat tells us, “The only thing I like about Mumbai summer, besides Mangoes of course, is that I get to wash all my curtains, carpet, bedsheets, blankets and upholstery covers since the heat is severe so these items dry quickly.” 
 
Shahane who is currently appearing on screen as Babita Ahuja from  Zee TV’s ‘Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye’ resides in Mumbai’s Juhu. She says, “Since I live near the sea, it is more humid. So for me, it is tough to keep the home interiors cool. This said, besides using air conditioning to keep the house chilled, and to keep the interior pleasant naturally, I usually keep all my windows open early in the morning and shut them before the sunlight starts getting harsh. Similarly, I also keep the windows open in the evenings after sunsets. This allows free fresh air flow and helps remove the residual heat from the house.” 
 
Adding elements to your home to keep interiors naturally cool
Swati Gupta, founder and principal designer Bluedot Design shares additional tips to keep home interiors cool naturally: 
 
1. Light-coloured curtains and bamboo/Woven blinds: 
Use light-coloured, heat-reflective curtains or blinds to block out sunlight and prevent heat from entering your home. Install bamboo or woven shades that allow some light to pass through while blocking direct sunlight, helping to keep rooms cooler.
 
2. Reflective window film:
Apply reflective window film to your windows. This accessory reduces the amount of heat entering through the glass, keeping the interior cooler. They can be easily removed whenever you want.