Cooling Bandanas Good-Bad? and where to buy

[Debbie-TN]

I make them also. The beads inside are found in the gardening section at Walmart. They are used to put in with your flowers to help keep the dirt moist longer. They start out dry in the jar and then when you wet them, they expand to many times their original size.
Here's how to make your own. Make a long hollow tube of cotton fabric about 36 inches(longer or shorter if you like) and 2 inches wide(after you have sewn the fabric and turned it inside out. Turn ends under and sew at one end. About 12 inches from the sewn edge sew across the tube from side to side. Next add about 2 tablespoons of the pellets(NO MORE-REMEMBER THEY EXPAND). Measure about 10 inches from the last seam and sew across the tube again(enclosing the pellets). Then turn in the other edge and sew it closed. Soak for about 15 minutes, tie it around your neck and enjoy.

 

[fenfur]

I picked up some at my local Wal-Mart the other day for $2.67 by the misting tubes and fans. These were the neck ones that were the "bandana" red or blue design They seem to be a bit skimpy on the pellets, but for $2.67 I figure it's worthy a shot to try them. They also had ones that go voer your head like a scarve in the banadan designs, and they cost a little bit more.

 

[jbhall]

I went and bought 5 of these yesterday at Wal-Mart. They weren't exactly in the camping section, but they were in the sporting goods area.

I was a little cautious, because they just seemed like a small bandana, but I went ahead. I opened one and was going to give it a try, because it was 95 yesterday with high humidity. I put the thing in water and couldn't believe how it swelled up. It worked great, it kept my neck nice and cool. We are going to a volunteer thing today that is going to be outside and it is supposed to 102, so I think we will all give them a try.

It was a little slimely. There are some sort of crystals that absorb water. I'm sure it's the stuff or something similar that's in diapers, but they don't advertise that on the package.

Let me clear something up about humidity. Most people go outside when it's 95-100 and humid and swear the humidity is 90%-100%. This is not possible. I did some research on Orlando and when it's this hot the humidity is usually around 45%. Don't get me wrong this is still humid, but these bandanas work by evaprotive cooling and they will work fine in the heat of the day. However in the morning when it's 80 out, it is possible to have 95%-100 humidity, so they won't be cooling much.

While I'm at it let me clear up one more misconception. When it's raining out the humidity is not necessarily 100%. The relative humidity is the saturation level of the air, the rain is falling from the sky.

 

[Tink-aholic]

Voice of dissent here...

We got the Walmart ones. We felt slimy during the day while using them in August. After a couple of days, we all broke out in rashes. We switched back to face clothes from our hotel room. Maybe ours were defective?

I had the same problem. Ours were gross! I couldn't take it and threw them away. What a waste!

 

[HERSEY]

Originally Posted by tiggrsbride
Voice of dissent here...

We got the Walmart ones. We felt slimy during the day while using them in August. After a couple of days, we all broke out in rashes. We switched back to face clothes from our hotel room. Maybe ours were defective

Maybe you are allergic to salt. Ours has a warning if you have an allergy to salt not to use.

 

[abeyst]

We tried them in August 2006 for a day and didnt like them. They were nice and cool at first, but then they got just as warm as us and were this wet warm thing stuck to your neck. Not to mention it was hot having that thing stuck around your neck. After that we left it in the room and took wash cloths in a ziploc baggie and stopped at restrooms to wet them and wipe ourselves off.

 

[carol-lamb]

I used them a couple of summers ago in WDW. They worked, but I really did not like how big they get and I felt like I had a sausage around my neck. My kids kept making fun of me. But like I said, they really did work. You also have to keep flipping them over every so often and they will work better.

I was told that they get slimy if you soak then too long in water. Mine never got slimy.

I will pack mine when I go in July, but I'm not sure I will wear them. I just wish they didn't get so big when they get wet!!

 

[DisDarling]

Wow, I never heard of these before.

 

[Secondgradememories]

I got mine at REI and spent more than the Walmart version, but no slime, no sausage, and the Coolmax fabric really felt great. Mine got warm after about 3-4 hours in the July WDW sun, so I just got a half cup of ice water from a stand and rewet it. I'll be using it again this year! I also put mine in the frig every night. Not sure if that made a difference, but I always knew it was ready to go in the morning.

 

[bicker]

We got some as gifts from Adventures by Disney during our Southwest Splendors vacation -- they worked great!

 

[mrudman]

Let me clear something up about humidity. Most people go outside when it's 95-100 and humid and swear the humidity is 90%-100%. This is not possible. I did some research on Orlando and when it's this hot the humidity is usually around 45%. Don't get me wrong this is still humid, but these bandanas work by evaprotive cooling and they will work fine in the heat of the day. However in the morning when it's 80 out, it is possible to have 95%-100 humidity, so they won't be cooling much.

While I'm at it let me clear up one more misconception. When it's raining out the humidity is not necessarily 100%. The relative humidity is the saturation level of the air, the rain is falling from the sky.

It can actually be quite a bit higher than that humidity-wise even when it is that hot out also.

I know where I live, we can still have 60-70% humidity when it's 90's out, and those days are killers, lol.

In fact we're supposed to get into the low 90's today... right now it is 88 degrees, and we're at 65% humidity.... not planning on playing outside much today, hehe.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Check out these online http://www.digitizedmind.com/wraps.html
They come in some really cute Disney prints, only cost $5. and go to a GREAT cause!

 

[jinia]

I got mine at REI and spent more than the Walmart version, but no slime, no sausage, and the Coolmax fabric really felt great. Mine got warm after about 3-4 hours in the July WDW sun, so I just got a half cup of ice water from a stand and rewet it. I'll be using it again this year! I also put mine in the frig every night. Not sure if that made a difference, but I always knew it was ready to go in the morning.

My DSis bought hers at REI last year and us at Walmart(we are the poor relations.. ). I am not sure if there was any diffrence other than the fabric. REI have a greater selection. We have also seen at Wally world the cool head bandana's - not sure what there proper name is, but the one that ties behind your head....Will look for a pic.

 

[Secondgradememories]

I know if I saw them at Walmart I would have gotten them there... More money for Mickey! But, like I said, no slimy, no sausage, so I'm happy with mine no matter if there are cheaper ones out there... Good gosh I hope the tag fairy isn't lurking... no slimy no sausage would be tough to live with!

 

[abeyst]

I hope the tag fairy isn't lurking... no slimy no sausage would be tough to live with!

I was just thinking the same thing I can see it now, "doesn't like slimey sausage" I crack myself up!!

 

[carelady]

I guess that I wouldn't purchase the neck coolers from Wal-Mart because it probably came from China. I am wearing one that I got from www.countrynmore.com. They are having a sale that ends at the end of the month. Someone posted about it on disboards, but I can't remember where. I like the fact that

 

[carelady]

I guess that I wouldn't purchase the neck coolers from Wal-Mart because it probably came from China. I am wearing one that I got from www.countrynmore.com. They are having a sale that ends at the end of the month.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Check out these online http://www.digitizedmind.com/wraps.html
They come in some really cute Disney prints, only cost $5. and go to a GREAT cause!

I got one from her last summer, it was fantastic and she was such a sweet person in the emails I got from her!!

 

[carelady]

I think that it is great that the money goes to a good cause.

 

[carelady]

I went back to check on that website and they extended the neck cooler sale until July 25th.