How to Make a Homemade Patio Mister

Take the spray nozzle head off a bottle of kitchen cleaner. Pull off the thin tube and discard. The type of bottle you need is the one that is standard for ammonia-based window cleaner or a degreasing detergent. The bottle neck is usually molded for fingers. The nozzle head must be the threaded type, not snap-on.

Screw a ¾-inch garden tap adapter straight into the nozzle head threads. The threads will not match exactly, so don’t use too much force or the nozzle head will crack. The rim of the nozzle head will extend past the point on the tap adapter where the hose should snap on. You will need to cut a small part of the nozzle rim off. Mark the outside of the nozzle head where you will need to cut it. Remove the tap adapter.

Slice off the rim of the nozzle head with a utility knife where you marked it. Scrape off any burrs or debris.

Screw the garden tap adapter back into the nozzle head, again making sure it’s straight and being careful not to crack the nozzle head with too much force. If you do crack it, remove the garden tap and apply some epoxy glue to the threads. Screw the tap back in until it’s just firm. Wait 15 or 20 minutes then tighten again.

Set the nozzle head in the “On” position. Attach a garden hose to the tap adapter. Wrap some floral wire around the nozzle and hook it to the cage of a pedestal fan. The fan should be rated for outdoor use and must plug into a GFC outlet. A GFC outlet shuts off the power if the circuit shorts out due to exposure to water.

Point the fan toward an area on your patio where people will be and turn it on. Gradually turn the water on until mist comes out the nozzle.