15 DIY Weather Hacks from the Depression Era That Still Work Today
During the Great Depression, people relied on clever, low-cost tricks to stay warm, dry, and cool—many of which are just as useful today.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
In a time when every penny counted, families had to get creative in dealing with the elements. Without modern heating, air conditioning, or expensive gear, they found resourceful ways to stay comfortable through scorching summers and brutal winters. Here are 15 Depression-era weather hacks that still hold up today.
1. Hang Wet Sheets in Doorways for Instant Air Conditioning
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Before AC, people cooled their homes by hanging damp sheets in doorways or windows. As the breeze passed through, it created a cooling effect similar to today’s evaporative coolers.
2. Line Windows with Cardboard for Extra Insulation
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Families would use old cardboard boxes to insulate windows to keep warm in winter. This trapped heat inside while blocking cold drafts.
3. Store Food in a “Zeer Pot” to Keep It Cool Without Refrigeration
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A clay pot inside a larger pot filled with wet sand can keep perishables fresh. As the water evaporates, it lowers the temperature inside, much like a natural refrigerator.
4. Heat a Room with Terra Cotta Pots and Candles
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During cold spells, people placed terra cotta flower pots over candles to create small space heaters. The clay absorbed and radiated heat, providing warmth without electricity.
5. Stuff Old Clothes in Cracks to Block Drafts
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Without weather stripping, families stuffed rags and old clothes into cracks around doors and windows. This simple fix significantly reduced heat loss.
6. Use a Metal Tub as a Makeshift Air Cooler
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People filled large metal tubs with cool water and placed them in the center of a room. As the water evaporated, it helped lower the indoor temperature.
7. Cover Windows with Newspaper to Block Heat
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Newspaper was a cheap and widely available insulator. Taping it over windows kept the sun’s heat from warming the house.
8. Sleep Outside on Hot Nights
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Many families would take their bedding outside to escape stifling indoor heat. Porches, yards, or even rooftops provided relief from stuffy rooms.
9. Keep a Pot of Water Near the Stove for Humidity
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Winter air can get dry, making it feel colder indoors. Placing a pot of water on the stove helped add moisture to the air, making homes feel warmer.
10. Wear Layers, Even Indoors, to Stay Warm
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Instead of cranking up the heat, people wore multiple layers of clothing to trap body heat. Wool socks, long underwear, and even newspaper stuffed inside jackets helped conserve warmth.
11. Place Rugs Over Bare Floors to Trap Heat
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Homes with wooden floors could feel especially cold in the winter. Laying down rugs helped insulate the space and keep feet warm.
12. Make Ice Blocks in the Winter for Summer Use
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People would freeze large blocks of ice during winter and store them in underground cellars or sawdust for use in the summer. This helped keep food cool long before refrigerators became common.
13. Keep a Brick by the Fire to Warm Beds
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Bricks were heated by the fireplace and wrapped in fabric to serve as makeshift bed warmers. The retained heat kept toes warm through the night.
14. Build Windbreaks with Shrubs and Fences
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To protect homes from harsh winter winds, families planted shrubs or built simple wooden windbreaks. This reduced drafts and helped maintain warmth indoors.
15. Use Dark Curtains in Winter and Light Curtains in Summer
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People switched out dark, heavy curtains in winter to help absorb heat and kept light-colored curtains in summer to reflect sunlight. This natural temperature control method is still recommended today.