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Tip for Hot Days

Why You Should Open Cabinet Doors in the Heat

On hot days, it's advisable to leave cabinet doors open.
On hot days, it's advisable to open the closet doors. Photo: GettyImages/ChayTee
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June 26, 2026, 11:52 am | Read time: 2 minutes

When we get up in the morning, the first thing to do is open the windows to let in fresh air–this drives out the stale air from the night. But it’s not just the windows that should be opened: the closet doors can also be opened right away–at least on hot days. And there’s a specific reason for this.

Summer is slowly gaining momentum, and with rising temperatures, the question arises of how to keep the apartment comfortably cool–especially without air conditioning. Hanging damp sheets or setting up frozen water bottles are tried-and-true methods. But there’s an easier way. myHOMEBOOK explains how.

Why You Should Open Closet Doors in the Heat

When airing out in the morning, it’s best to open all the closet doors as well. Open doors improve air circulation, allowing heat to escape outside. Additionally, closets, dressers, and drawers can act like heaters. These large hollow bodies absorb heat on hot days and can store it. Opening the closet doors for ventilation in the morning dissipates the heating effect.

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What Else Helps in the Heat

In addition to the trick of opening closet doors in the heat, there are a few other methods. The Consumer Advice Center of North Rhine-Westphalia advises that you should only ventilate until the air outside becomes warmer than the actual room temperature. It is also recommended to ventilate for a longer period at night to expel all the warm air from the day.

Moreover, if you live on multiple floors, it can be beneficial to open the windows and doors on each floor simultaneously to utilize the chimney effect of the home. Additionally, you should try to prevent heat from entering your home in the first place. “External sun protection in front of the windows helps: for example, blinds, shutters, or window shutters. Sun protection films or interior blinds are less effective,” according to the Consumer Advice Center’s website.

It can also help to turn off heat sources in the home, the Consumer Advice Center informs: “The second refrigerator may promise plenty of refreshments. But the heat it removes from its contents is directly released into the room,” it says.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

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