A cooling towel looks like a simple piece of fabric, but used the right way it can make a hot day on site, at sport or at the beach a lot more bearable. Here is how to get the most out of yours.
How does a cooling towel work?
Cooling towels are made from a light mesh fabric that holds water and lets it evaporate quickly. As the water evaporates, it takes heat away from your skin, the same way sweat does. That is why a cooling towel works best with a bit of airflow and why it needs to be re-wet once it dries out.
How to use a cooling towel in 3 steps
- Soak it. Put the whole towel in water until it is fully wet. Cold water gives you a bigger chill at the start, but tap water works too.
- Wring it out. Squeeze out the excess so it is damp, not dripping.
- Snap it. Hold both ends and give it two or three sharp snaps in the air. This kick-starts evaporation and you will feel it cool down in seconds.
Then wrap it around your neck, drape it over your head and shoulders, or wipe your face and arms with it.
How to keep a cooling towel cool for longer
- Re-wet it as soon as it starts to feel warm or dry. A quick dip and a snap brings it straight back.
- Keep a bottle of water handy. You can re-wet the towel without going back to the tap.
- Start with cold water. Water from an esky or the fridge gives a stronger first chill.
- Let the air get to it. Fabric pressed flat under a tight collar dries slower but also cools less. A loose wrap works better.
- Get in the shade when you can. In direct sun it will dry faster, so you will re-wet it more often.
Wearing a cooling towel under a hard hat or hi-vis
On site, the back of the neck cops the most sun. Drape the towel over your head so it hangs down the back of your neck, then put your hard hat on top. It holds the towel in place and keeps the sun off your neck. A hi-vis colour like orange or lime means you stay visible too.
How to wash and store it
Rinse it after use and hang it to dry. When it needs a proper clean, machine wash it, skip the fabric softener and let it air dry. Store it dry so it doesn't get a musty smell.
Cooling towel or neck cooler ring?
A cooling towel covers more skin and only needs water, so it suits long days outside. A neck cooler ring is hands-free and mess-free but needs a fridge or iced water to recharge. Plenty of people use both.
Ready to try one? The IcyMate Cooling Towel is 100 x 30 cm, comes in hi-vis orange, hi-vis lime, royal blue and grey, and ships Australia-wide.
A cooling towel helps you feel cooler. It does not replace drinking water, shade and rest breaks in hot conditions.