A friend and I are currently brainstorming the idea of a DIY simple vest with pockets on the front to contain soft ice gel packs. The goal is to find a way for her to keep cool while driving an un-airconditioned car for about a half hour during hot, humid afternoons. The gel packs will be made by filling small zip-lock freezer bags with a combination of salt, cornstarch and water, learned from a YT video. A small size dog cooling mat is on its way and will go between her back and the driver's seat back. Cooling towels aren't very effective in humid climates, since they rely on evaporation. We've already adopted several of your other ideas.
I find it helps considerably to have a frozen bottle of water (covered with a kitchen towel if it's too cold at first). Placed as suits the individual, but I place it against my chest. You can do the same with a gallon zip lock bag also. I put a second bag over the first in case of any leaking. Also, bottles that are broader like a syrup bottle have more contact surface. Have two or three if possible so you can swap out. Best if frozen, but placing in a cooler helps also.
I have a vintage Toyota Mini Cruiser RV, without air conditioning, but plenty of reflectics to attach to windows and all the cupboards. A swamp -cooler can be made from a styrofoam box, a fan and two short lengths of of gutter drains. Bottles of icewater, or cold packs go in the styrophone box. Cost was $8.00 total, instructions can be found on CZcams. I purchased a portable ice-maker which comes in very handy even when not travelling. I use a windshield cover which also helps, as does a small window fan from my house which fits into one of the windows. My little dog has his own special coat, that cools by being soaked in cold water, the heat evaporates from him. He also has a kind of jello pad that cools for an hour or more when unfolded. There are similar cooling pads that are made to fit the shoulders of humans, can be bought at sporting stores.
I tried your idea of peppermint in a water bottle sprayer. My cat Missey did not like it. Later, I found out that many essential oils are poisonous to cats.
Cats need an escape from EOs - so if you are doing the peppermint spray, do so outside and cool down a minute before coming back in. And yes, definitely don't spray Missey!
Don’t forget to wear cool clothes. Jeans are not cool, for example. I wear a lot of modal, which is made from wood pulp (eucalyptus), and is anti-microbial and doesn’t smell. Really great in hot weather.
Thanks, this is good information
A friend and I are currently brainstorming the idea of a DIY simple vest with pockets on the front to contain soft ice gel packs. The goal is to find a way for her to keep cool while driving an un-airconditioned car for about a half hour during hot, humid afternoons. The gel packs will be made by filling small zip-lock freezer bags with a combination of salt, cornstarch and water, learned from a YT video. A small size dog cooling mat is on its way and will go between her back and the driver's seat back. Cooling towels aren't very effective in humid climates, since they rely on evaporation. We've already adopted several of your other ideas.
Thx Joni! This was really informative and helpful!
I find it helps considerably to have a frozen bottle of water (covered with a kitchen towel if it's too cold at first). Placed as suits the individual, but I place it against my chest. You can do the same with a gallon zip lock bag also. I put a second bag over the first in case of any leaking. Also, bottles that are broader like a syrup bottle have more contact surface. Have two or three if possible so you can swap out. Best if frozen, but placing in a cooler helps also.
Thank you for an information, starting a build ourselves so super useful!
I have a vintage Toyota Mini Cruiser RV, without air conditioning, but plenty of reflectics to attach to windows and all the cupboards. A swamp -cooler can be made from a styrofoam box, a fan and two short lengths of of gutter drains. Bottles of icewater, or cold packs go in the styrophone box. Cost was $8.00 total, instructions can be found on CZcams. I purchased a portable ice-maker which comes in very handy even when not travelling. I use a windshield cover which also helps, as does a small window fan from my house which fits into one of the windows.
My little dog has his own special coat, that cools by being soaked in cold water, the heat evaporates from him. He also has a kind of jello pad that cools for an hour or more when unfolded. There are similar cooling pads that are made to fit the shoulders of humans, can be bought at sporting stores.
Sorry, meant to say, 'styrofoam', not sure what I was thinking....lol. Must be getting old!
❄️👍
I tried your idea of peppermint in a water bottle sprayer. My cat Missey did not like it. Later, I found out that many essential oils are poisonous to cats.
Cats need an escape from EOs - so if you are doing the peppermint spray, do so outside and cool down a minute before coming back in. And yes, definitely don't spray Missey!
Don’t forget to wear cool clothes. Jeans are not cool, for example. I wear a lot of modal, which is made from wood pulp (eucalyptus), and is anti-microbial and doesn’t smell. Really great in hot weather.
2nd!