Neck Coolers?

[carelady]

I have purchased them directly from soil moist before, but it looks like you can't get it online from them anymore. I have also purchased from Water Sorb. I believe that these come in a heavy bag, but can't remember now. With Soil Moist, I received the crystals in a plastic jug, which is nice. It is recommended to use the medium size crystals, which these are.

Here is the link for Water Sorb: The prices are very reasonable compared to Soil Moist. The best price I found for Soil Moist was 3 lbs. (they have smaller sizes) was $30.00 vs. 4 lbs. of Water Sorb for $30.00. the smallest size that you can order is 2 lbs.

http://www.water-sorb.com/store.php?crn=209


I make the neck coolers for soldiers in Iraq, and for me to wear in the hot weather. It is very important to hang the neck coolers up to dry like I mentioned in the earlier post. When I first made them to use, I placed the neck cooler on a flat surface, and they did smell after the crystals were dry.

I found the neck coolers already made up and they are reasonable at:
http://www.countrynmore.com/

 

[jagafen]

I found a seller that sells them for $1 each. She will ship 10 for $2 shipping. Search neck coolers. I just stocked up on extras for our trip to accommodate drying time. I trialed one, and they work great. Don't know about the leaking gel issue, as one cooler has only been tried once (saving them for Disney). But they are handmade and seem to be sewn well. IF you're looking to have a more "disposable" option, or don't want to waste a ton of money on something that won't be used that often, I don't think you'll be able to beat a buck a piece! Goodness knows, we won't need to have 12 around the house after we get back!

 

[carelady]

I had purchased some neck coolers off of Ebay, that were $1.00, so I ordered some. I didn't care for the way that they were made and they were only 34-35" long. That is too short for me.

 

[TravelinGal]

Here's a couple of places you can get the granuals

Water Gel Crystals (Bags as small as 1 oz on up- remember to order medium!)

WATERSORB (2 lb bag - medium granuals)

This (2 lb bag) is way more than you need to make a few for yourself, but you can use the extra granuals in potted plants as well as mixed in the soil outside too! Really helps the plants grow! You can use them in a vase with fresh cut flowers as well.
Other ideas for the left over ploymer granuals

They will ooze out the fabric if you use too much of the polymer granuals. (1-3 tsp is all it takes!)

Here are some patterns:

Watersorb Patterns

P2 Designs

Craftbits

PDF format

About.com Sewing

(in other words - there are tons of places to get FREE directions to make these! If you sew, you probably already have fabric scraps you can use - and if you search the web further, I'm sure you can find smaller bags of the polymer granuals)

 

[carelady]

You are right about the 2 pounds, but I have been making them for the troops.

 

[TravelinGal]

Carelady - that is VERY kind of you! I'm sure they appreciate them a LOT!!!

 

[carelady]

The neck coolers were shipped out this past week- I think. A friend is shipping them out to the troops. I have been wanting to do this for so long but I did not know of an outlet or source close to home that sends things to the soldiers. I hope to try and teach the women how to make the neck coolers. The neck coolers for soldiers are made differently.

 

[las3888]

We bought some of the Wal-mart neck coolers when we were wary about the heat for our trip to WDW last August. I used them around the house first doing gardening, etc. The very first one I bought I really liked and used pretty frequently. I bought maybe 3 others and they all were leaky, slippery, gel-like. I didn't continue to use them. Not sure why one was better than the others. I thought they were useful to a degree...even if they're slimy. Just keep in mind you may not want to re-use them...???

 

[carelady]

I feel that you get what you pay for. Wal-Mart buys most of their items from China, so I believe that you get what you pay for. I prefer to get something that was made in America. I am wearing a neck cooler right now, and it really does work. I haven't had any problems with them.

 

[pbharris4]

I used the neck coolers last year and I didn't care for them. I didn't think they left me any cooler. I saw a tip on one of the other forums about Frogg Toggs. I ordered a Hydroweave Hat and also 2 Chilly Pads and checked them out this weekend. Worked really well and they don't drip..there's no gel type thing inside. You just wet and wear. It claims to be up to 20-25 degrees cooler.

 

[carelady]

I have always liked the neck coolers. I soak my neck coolers in cold water(usually chipped ice) for about 30 minutes. Soaking them for any less as far as time just doesn't do the trick.

 

[PiperPizzaz]

If you found some really UGLY cheap ones you could cut the crystals out of that and sew your own. Or a little 'slipcover' for it.

 

[carelady]

I don't think that it is worth the hassle to cut out the crystals or make a slip cover. I would rather purchase quality neck coolers in the first place.

 

[carelady]

Now, I personally can tell you that they have care instructions for a reason. One time I let my neck cooler dry on a flat surface, and then the neck cooler stunk. It reminds me of the smell when I accidentally leave a wet cutting board on a surface. The neck coolers continue to release the water stored in the crystals, so that water has to go somewhere . When the neck cooler is placed on a flat surface, the neck cooler is sitting on the moisture.

My instructions that I received with my neck cooler say that you should hang the neck coolers up to dry. The neck coolers need air to circulate around the neck cooler.

 

[DVCJones]

Once a year I go to a craft fair in Falmouth MA. I just bought 3 more yesterday. I LOVE them. I take them on every trip to Disney and I also use them during the summer at home. I have never had a slime issue with them.

This particular crafter also makes them in a rectangular shape. This is perfect when my kids have a fever. It has cute fabric and feels nice on their hot forehead.

If anyone is interested I will find there information. They are $6. $5 if you buy four or more.

 

[carelady]

I have plenty of the neck coolers now.

 

[Amber74]

I know you guys aren't talking about this kind but I bought some at Shaper Image, the kind that you put water in and it blows air on your neck, and they really don't work that well. Just thought I would let you know in case anyone was thinking of buying those.

 

[carelady]

Thanks for letting us know. We bought misters for our boys years ago, but they are not the same thing as you are talking about. I have seen those little fans, and thought that they were cute, but will stay clear.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I bought some a few weeks ago at Long's Drugstore (major chain in California). The brand name is Cool-Eze. We used them last week at theme park in Denver where it was 100 degrees! They really did help keep us cool and I didn't notice a slimy feel at all. I soaked them in the ice bucket at the hotel in ice and water for a good 45 minutes before we left. Throughout the day, we held them under the bathroom facets. The only problem was, the water in the bathrooms was warm and there was no way to make it cool. Then we started wetting them in drinking fountains or with our mister fan. We are planning to use them again in Disneyland next month if it's hot enough.

I did hang them on the towel rack at the hotel (last Monday - over a week ago). We didn't use them again the rest of the week and they still weren't dry when we flew home the following Sunday. I put them in a ziplock for the flight and now they're hanging on a towel rack at home. They're still not totally dry. Maybe I should hang them outside so they'll dry faster?

 

[carelady]

It is surprising that the neck coolers still aren't dry after all that time. I don't think that I would personally put them outside in the sun, but that is me. I think that the time that it takes for the crystals to dry out depends on the weather. I noticed that when the weather is hot, then they dry out quicker.