Make Your Own Cooling Neck Wraps
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Summers here in Kentucky get really hot and humid, and keeping cool while outside is imperative. I spend a lot of time outside in the summer, tending to my vegetable garden or working on projects. When my hands are full, it's difficult to keep cool, so I thought I would make some cooling neck wraps for hands-free cooling. They came out so great that Jo snatched a few for her family's upcoming amusement park trip.
What makes a neck cooling scarf a success is its ability to stay wet for hours, thus cooling you for a long time. And the key to accomplishing this is something called water-absorbing polymer crystals (or beads) that absorb a ton of water, then release it slowly (I used this particular kind). That gentle moisture against your skin keeps you cool. There are lots of varieties out there, and the "crystals" are usually jagged chunks, while the "beads" are usually smooth spheres. I chose the spherical beads for comfort and ease of use. These teeny little beads turn gigantic when soaked in water. One teaspoon turns into 3-4 cups once soaked!
The only other thing you need to make your own neck cooling wraps is some fabric. I chose an assortment of pretty quilting fabric so I could make several different patterns.
Working with one color at a time, cut the fabric into strips 4.5" wide and 42" long.
Most fabric is 42-44" wide on the bolt, so just use the full width from selvedge to selvedge.
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, with right sides touching.
Then use scissors to cut each end at an angle. This will make nice pointed ends on the finished neck wrap.
Now sew all along the ends and the open edge, except leave a 2" opening somewhere near the middle.
Here's a diagram with pink lines showing you where to sew. Don't forget to leave that opening!
Now turn the fabric tube inside out (good thing you left that opening!) and use a chopstick or pencil to push out the corners to crisp points.
Now as much as I hate to ever recommend ironing, this is a good time to grab the iron and press the fabric flat. This will help a lot when it comes time to fill and sew, so it's worth the effort.
Now fold the fabric in half crosswise, and measure 10.5" from the fold. Put a pin in both halves. This measurement ensures that we have 21" of cooling area on the scarf that will go around your neck, which is plenty for an adult. If you are making these for kids, you might want to reduce this measurement.
Sew the tube shut at each of the two pinned spots. This will keep the beads from falling down into the ties at the end of the wrap.
Now you have a 21" long tube between your two rows of stitches, but we want to break that up into three different compartments. Measure three 7" widths and mark them with pins or tape. Do not put the pins all the way through, and do NOT sew them up — you need to put the beads in first!
Before you start filing the tube with your water-absorbing beads, let's talk about quantity. Lots of folks will tell you to only use a tiny bit, or else they will expand so much that they overfill the tube and burst. But how do you know how much is too much?
Easy! Just pre-soak your beads for several hours so they are at their maximum size. Then fill the tube with fully soaked beads. That way, you KNOW it will fit perfectly. Just slip the beads into the opening and let them fall down to the end.
Keep adding beads until the compartment is filled up to the first pin, which marks one third of the tube.
Then sew that spot, fully enclosing that one-third compartment full of beads.
Do the same for the compartment on the other end, then again for the one in the middle. When all three compartments are full, use a slip stitch to sew up the opening.
Your cooling neck wrap is all done and ready to use! The three compartments will keep the beads distributed, rather than gathering up on one side, and the ties at the end make it easy to secure around your neck.
This cooling wrap will keep your neck cool for several hours as the beads slowly release water. To re-activate it, just soak the entire thing in water for a couple hours. If you want to dry it out, just leave it in the sun. The beads will shrivel up to almost nothing, allowing you to store the wrap flat until the next time you need it.
What a fun and colorful way to keep cool!
106 comments so far:
Girls, beautifully done tute! Love the bright colours and extra tip about adding already swollen beads so as not to court a splitting disaster. I live in Tasmania, at the bottom of the world, but it is getting hotter here each year and these coolers are the answer. Thank you.
Jill, thank you! We have never talked to anyone from Tasmania before. How fun!
What size bag of the beads would I need? How far will a one pound bag go? Love you tutorial.
Donnell, these beads go REALLY far -- one teaspoon dry will turn into 3-4 cups once soaked! I can't even imagine how much one pound would create! Get a small bag, such as this particular one that I used.
Thank you, excited to make with my granddaughter. They will be gifts for her to give out For her family.
Do you use the same beads that are used in flower vases? Thanks
Theresa, they might be the same, but I'm not completely sure. This is the exact type I used for this project.
Thanks, I'm going to make some for our mini-mite cheerleaders
How do you clean and store the neck ties
do you know how they could be cleaned i was thinking about making some for a man who does construction but i know they are going to get sweaty and smell more then likely. thanks
Donna and Debbie, to clean the ties, I first recommend you let them dry out in the sun, so the beads are tiny and dried out. Then wash by hand in soapy water in the sink, working sort of quickly so that the beads don't absorb too much water or the soap as you go.
Once mine has been soaked in water and used, I rinse it off put it in a freezer bag and return to the refrigerator. It’s ready the next time I need it. So far it’s lasted 6 months and still going strong.
Susan, that's a great tip. The plastic bag should keep it from drying out, and ready to go!
Are those orbeez?
Philly, these are not that brand, but from what I've been told by the kids in my life, they are quite similar.
What is the name of these water absorbing beads and where can I buy them? Love this idea, seems to me I had one years ago but it has long since disappeared thanks for the great tute!
Cindie, there are lots of different water absorbing beads available on Amazon, but this is the exact type that I purchased.
Yes I had one last year. I would like to know where to get those beads to make some for my husband and I
Gloria, here is a link to the exact beads I used.
Nice tutorial! Thank you! How would I adjust the size of a neck cooler for a 5-7 year old child!
Patricia, your best bet is to measure your child's neck and aim for a length that will fit.
Can you tell me approximately how much of the crystals in teaspoon measurements that I need to soak to fill the three compartments so that I don't end up soaking too much?
Patricia, you might get different results with the exact crystals you use, but for mine, one teaspoon dry turned into about 3-4 cups when soaked. Don't worry about soaking too many... just let them dry out and use them another time. :)
Does the wrap get really drippy as it dries out, just concerned about how wet the girl's uniforms might get. Thanks
Theresa, the water comes out of the beads so slowly that it just keeps the fabric wet and cool, but it should not ever get drippy.
Thank you
I bought the exact beads you recommended but I have to make 30 wraps, will the one bag be enough or should I order another bag. Thanks
Theresa, it will depend on how big your wraps are and how much they hold, but my gut tells me that one bag will be enough.
Thanks, I'll try and send pictures with the girls wearing them this weekend
These are so perfect for what we are looking for. I am making a bunch of these to donate to our school playground aids. Out here in Southern California where it feels like the desert they need something to help them out while out on that blacktop. They deserve it too. So what I am wondering is, how long do these beads hold up with daily use and stay good? Does mold ever become a problem? Do they completely dissolve after time? I'd like to see these last them at least through the school year. Is that a possibility?
Tiffany, sounds like a great gift for your playground aids, and they will surely enjoy some relief from the heat. The beads can absorb water and dry out repeatedly, and do not dissolve or disappear. It is possible to break them into pieces when they are fully absorbed, but you would have to really try hard to do it on purpose... they are quite resilient and I see no reason why they would not hold up well over a year or beyond. I have not seen mold be an issue, but that's really entirely up to how you treat them. If you ever want to really dry them out well, just put them in a sunny windowsill or out on the hot concrete.
Finished 30 wraps for our cheerleaders and they loved them. It took me all week to do them but I've come up with a cheat so we don't have to sew wet material which my machine hated. A 1/4 teaspoon of the beads you recommended will fill each section nicely, just put it in instead of the inflated beads and sew each section like you normally would then soak the wraps. I used almost a full bag of beads for 30 wraps, I'll post pictures on your Facebook page. Thanks for your pattern and advice.
Theresa, we're excited to hear that this project went well for you! They are definitely easier to sew with dry beads, so I'm glad you figured out exactly how many to use for your pocket size. Looking forward to seeing your pic!
I have some already made and those have lasted a few years . I was looking for these to make for next year's Relay for Life event as each booth has to have some item for a fundraiser . Thank you for the tutorial.
I scoured the internet and finally found you! My son is a plumber and battling / melting in roofs under our African sun! Thank you!
Curious.... Why do you make 3 compartments and not 1 big one?
Rebecca, I made three compartments so that the beads would stay evenly distributed, and not bunch up all in one area.
Can these beads be soaked in water and then be frozen? I would like to be able to use in a neck wrap while golfing in the summer. Thank you.
Susan, I have not tried freezing the beads, so I don't know how well they would perform. I can say that they stay plenty cool on their own though, for quite along time!
I made one for my son and he said the material got wet and then it was sticky. What did I do wrong? Thank You
Linda, I don't know what could have gone wrong... we've never seen the results you describe. The beads we used were always clean and never sticky, inside or outside the fabric. Did you pre-soak your beads? Were they sticky on their own, before you put them into the wrap? Does the fabric have some kind of coating that got sticky when wet?
I was able to make one in about 20 mins. I forgot to leave a hole to add beads. So far my family has said its great. I will be trying it a work tomorrow.
Made some for me and my friends training to do a marathon in the HOT Utah heat! These will sure be helpful!
Susan, don't let them freeze! My refrigerator was too cold and accidentally froze my band and it is ruined.
Where can I get the crystals or beads... I really need to make one . Am from Zambia and currently tempretures are very high....
Angela, try a local gardening store. They sometimes carry these beads for use in houseplants. Otherwise, you might need to order them online.
Hi, I'm wondering how best to store a neck cooler once it is fall/winter. Won't it get moldy if moist and stored in refrigerator in plastic bag? Not sure what to do...thank you! susan
Susan, the best way to store this long-term is to dry the beads out completely first. Then you can store them in a drawer or box, no need to refrigerate.
Thanks so much for the clear instructions. Made several last Summer and they worked great. I just finished making 8 for friends out of the same fabric I used to make masks for them. Now they each have coolers that match their face masks!
Lois, that's a lovely idea! We're glad you've enjoyed this project.
Hi! Thank you so much for the super detailed walkthrough. I was wondering what type of fabric composition should be used. Cotton? Polyester? I'm hoping to make these in bulk and give them out to those experiencing homelessness and stuck without an indoor shelter for the hot summers. I just want to make sure they last a while.
Janie, you could probably use just about any fabric, but I would recommend something thin and lightweight. The colorful array of quilting fabrics you'll see lining the walls of most fabric stores would be a great affordable option.
Hello! Comment # 32, did you use 1/4 tsp dry beads for each of the 3 sections or a total of 1/4 tsp for the entire thing? I need to make 100 of this for a golf tournament and like the idea of using dry instead of pre-soaking.
Catherine, let me try to answer in case Theresa doesn't see your question. Based on her comments, I think she used 1/4 tsp for each of the three sections. Please keep in mind, though, that each brand of beads may vary in size, so the quantity that worked for her might not work for you. I suggest trying one first and soaking it to be sure it works, before you do all 100 of them.
I'm so excited to make these for my nephew's preschool teachers, family fishermen, and my premenopausal self! Am curious if anyone has altered the ties to have a shorter closure without ties hanging down, maybe a snap or velcro? Thanks!
Natalie, we haven't seen anyone alter the ties, but we love your idea. If you try it out, let us know @chicaandjo
I’m abit confused as to why when fabric is folded in and sew and all the way except 2 ins for beads but then u have measure 7ins for 3 pockets and other have already sewn up
Have miss a step otherwise l have use seam ripper to make opening other 2 pockets ?
Diane, the first two long pockets that you sew up (one at each end) are for the ties, and no beads will go down into those two. With the remaining 21" of long open pocket, divide that into three 7" sections. Fill one of those sections, then sew it shut. Repeat for the other two. Hope that helps!
Oh thankyou very much for getting back to me.now look back at photo l see where it says 21 ins ,but l got ahead of myself now at least have understanding .
Diane, I'm glad we were able to work it out together!
My question can you tell me if water beads you use for neck wraps ,can they be used for making cooling eye masks?
Diane, we've never made cooling eye masks, but we suspect it would be idea, because there could be chemicals in the beads that you would not want near your eyes.
My aunt made similar for my boys 20 years ago to take hiking. We still have them stored dry no mold. Still working
Natalie #55. I make mine half the length and use a snap. No ties to get in the way. The area for the snap is about 2-21/2 inches at each end. I do square ends.
Chica, regarding comment #62: I don’t recommend using for eye masks. The beads are a chemical that I don’t think you want to get in your eyes.
Marjorie, thanks for the advice! I'll amend my comment above.
My question is probably dumb. I fully understand the directions for sewing these(thank you) but I don’t understand how to use them. Do you run them under water or soak them each time you use them? Or, do they stay damp and you just refrigerate them. I’ve read multiple blogs and no one ever goes there ????? That’s why I said my question must be dumb. I’m sure I’m missing something.
Lorraine, thank you for reaching out... I'm happy to give more detail on how to use the wraps. You will need to soak the entire wrap in water for a few hours before you plan to wear it. This will allow the beads to absorb water and grow to their full size. You can refrigerate them if you like, but really just having them wet will keep you plenty cool. When you're ready to wear them, just take them out of the water and gently wring out any excess water from the fabric, then tie on your neck. Over a few hours, the water will slowly release from the beads, thus cooling your neck. Eventually they will dry out and shrivel back down to nothing, in which case you can just soak them again to reuse them. If you plan to store them (for example, over the winter) I suggest first letting them fully dry in the sun so the beads shrink down all the way.
What a great tutorial- I have been looking for something like this so I can make my husband.
My husband uses these type of bands to wrap around his forehead to absorb the sweat when he out working in 100 degree weather. Keeps sweat out of his eyes.
Thanks again
Teri
Hi from Hamilton, New Zealand. I am so excited to find out what my refreshing neck band from Cambodia is made up of. My daughter bought it a number of years ago as a gift. THE BEST GIFT EVER! Marvelous for those menopausal days! But wonderful for hot/humidity stuffy days. My friends were envious of my neck cooler so now I have your 'how to do' I am going to surprise them. There is much more fun in making one yourself. I am sure I will have queries as I make these and will get back to you if necessary. In the meantime, I have purchased little 2mm and 4mm water beads packets from a florist. Yes ... I have promised I will give her one to try out and the lady at the Spotlight fabric shop and my daughters and my neighbours and friends and ........ Thanks so much for your simple instructive site. Brilliant!!
Leonie, we're happy to see you're so excited about this project! Tag us @chicaandjo on social if you'd like to share your results!
To Marjorie (#64).....I also thought of the idea of using a snap instead of a tie so it won't hang down in the soil when I'm bending over doing yard work in the sweltering Florida heat. I'm going to recommend a plastic snap so it won't rust over repeated soakings. It may not ever rust, but I'm going to use plastic.
I've seen multiple tutorials but this is the first to suggest soaking the beads before inserting in the tube so you know for sure how much to use. That way it will fit perfectly.
Thank you Chica and Jo! Great tutorial.
How can I make this cooling wrap with snaps instead of a tie?
Andrea, you can just make your band of fabric shorter and sew snaps on by hand.
How much shorter should I make the length? How many yards of fabric do I need to make one?
Anndrea, you can make the length whatever you like to fit your neck and to your comfort level. I recommend experimenting with a scrap of fabric or a measuring tape to determine what size you would like your wrap to be. As for the amount of fabric, my recommendation in the tutorial is to cut the strip of fabric 4.5" wide. That's 1/8 of a yard.
Can I use a fat quarter piece of fabric to make one cooling neck wrap? The fabric fat quarter measures 18 Length x 22 Width?
Anndrea, 22" won't be long enough unless you sew two strips together.
Thank you for the detailed instructions, tips and bead link. I'm going to try it. I may also try the snap idea, so I appreciate the comment section also.
Susanne, we're happy to hear it! Good luck with your wraps, and if you share on social media, don't forget to tag @chicaandjo so we can see your work.
I may try a few of these with dry beads, but I did find that cutting the bottom off of a water bottle and using it as a funnel helped tremendously in filling the pouches with the wet beads. Can't wait to try them at a concert this weekend with 100+ temps predicted.
mtn_mama, your DIY funnel is a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
I have made these for years using the tiny beads. I bought the last bag at a garden place....just make sure you don't get the ones with fertilizer in the beads. I soak the cooler in ice water for several hours and store in a plastic bag when not using in frig. For a quick cool down, I have placed in the freezer just for a few minutes, laying flat. I have hand washed when dirty. I have a friend that washed hers in the washing machine without damaging it. My husband had one that lasted 10-15 years. Years past, I have been to events in the summer, always taking some in a cooler & some packaged with directions for use. I always use cotton material.
Carol, thanks for sharing all those great tips!
Thank you so much for the comprehensive directions on sewing coolies ladies. Your directions are clear and easy to follow; the photos take away any guess work. I just ordered my beads - they arrive in two days, during which I'll be madly sewing the neck casing in preparation.
I am so very glad I found your post.
Thanks again.
Tian, thank YOU so much for the kind words! We strive to make our projects doable and approachable, and it sounds like we hit the nail on the head with this one. Best of luck with your wraps. If you share them on social, be sure to tag @chicaandjo so we can see!
Hi my question is: If l don't want to soak water beads then leave them dry to make neck wraps how do l figure how much to put in each pocket and sew up? I'm mailing them to my daughter in Grand Prairie
Diane, that's a question I can't answer, because each type of bead might grow to different sizes, and each wrap might be sewn slightly differently, so it's very difficult to know how many will fit. That's why we suggest soaking them first.
This is the best tutorial I have seen for these cooling wraps! I will be making? them with my 14 year old Grandson and his friends to wear on our church's pioneer trek this summer. It's going to be hot, and these will keep them cool! Thank you for the step by step and pictures, as I am a visual learner.
Pam, we're so happy we could help with this tutorial! Hope your grandson and his friends keep cool on their trek :)
Exceptional, thanks for your posting. My husband is a contractor and wears the cooling bead scarf every day it’s hot up on ladders. We use a large yogurt container and soak the beads overnight in the fridge. No freezing, wrecks them. You are truly both a blessing and we will make more and take them to the winery field workers in our area once completed. Thanks again!
Thank you for this tutorial, I love these but mine are quite sticky once the beads swell and feel slimy which is quite uncomfortable have I done something wrong.
Glenda, we have never seen the beads be sticky or slimy once hydrated. I wonder if you chose a brand that doesn't have a good feel to them? Email us at chicaandjo@chicaandjo.com if you want to discuss details so we can try to help more.
Re comments 87 and 88.
Suggest making a test wrap, using hand-stitching to separate the three pockets (but not the end seams which keep the beads out of the tie-ends. Fill all the pockets with expanded beads, and then make the final stitching on the middle pocket.
Then, open each pocket up, pour the beads out and let them fully dry. Measure the amount of dry beads from each pocket, and that would be the amount of dry beads to use for each pocket.
Then make a few test neck wraps and test them to see if the pockets are too full when they are fully hydrated. You might have to decrease a bit the amount of beads if the seams are stretched too tight.
James, that's a clever idea! I have to say, though, that those dehydrated beads are SO TINY that mis-measuring them by even 2 or 3 beads can result in too much or not enough when they are hydrated and full-size. I know it's messy to work with them wet, but it's a more foolproof option.
My Girl Scouts will be making 100 of these for their Silver Award. Do you know how much fabric they will need?
Luanne, each wrap uses one piece of fabric cut 4.5" wide and 42" long. Assuming your fabric on the bolt is at least 45" wide (most are), you can do the match and figure out how many 4.5" strips you can get per yard and work from there. It would actually be a good math exercise for them to figure out together!
TY for your amazing tutorial !
I’m in a hot summer outdoor market in August , wanted to have a couple for purchase, ready to use or have one to see one that is wet, but I’m not sure what would be the best Sanitary way for people to look at before they buy , or not…not sure they should be touching a bunch that others have done the same. Any suggestions, pls? TIA?
Linda, I think having a sample for people to feel is a great way to boost sales. If you're concerned about lots of people touching it, you could always keep a bucket of water nearby and rinse the entire thing occasionally.
I am making a few for some flea markets that I vend at. The 10.5 measurement, is that from the point or the shorter end of the point.
Jan, the 10.5" measurement is from the fold, not the point. Take a closer look at the photo above that includes the ruler. Also not that you can make this measurement any size you like if you want to accommodate larger or smaller necks (like for kids)
Got it. I tend to read and only glance at the pictures. Thanks.
Hi,I’m a little confused on this because when I read the info on the beads it says do not get them in the sun. Doesn’t this defeat the purpose of wearing these outside or at theme parks?
Joyce, The water beads will dry out eventually, and that is sped up by warmth, which the sun certainly helps with. If you leave the wrap sitting out in the sun, it will dry out faster than normal, but you will be fine wearing them for an afternoon or a day outdoors :)
Thanks for the great tutorial. And, for all of the helpful comments - I think I actually learned more from those than the lesson! Would knowing that three to four cups of fully expanded beads fills the scarf, is it worth trying the measuring cup method you've recommended and then letting that quantity dry to avoid that wet fabric vs. dry machine issue?
Terri, we love the helpful feedback we get from everyone's comments! Your idea to fill then let the beads dry out would certainly work if you've got plenty of time to wait in between each step :) Those beads may take a day or more to shrink down.