How Do Cooling Towels Work?

Anyone who works all day in the hot sun or inside a sweltering factory is going to work up a serious sweat. For those whose jobs cause them to constantly overheat, cooling towels can provide the relief they need to stay cool and comfortable no matter how hot it gets.

Cooling towels are exactly as they sound: They are made from materials that provide a cooling effect when placed against your skin. The cold feeling is triggered when the towel is wet with water and then wrung out—no refrigeration or freezing needed. The synthetic fabrics used in these towels are usually one of two types:

• Polyvinyl acetate (or PVA) feels similar to the chamois cloths often used at car washes. When these towels are dry they remain stiff and hard. (For some users, this plastic feeling takes some getting used to.) When they get wet, however, they become much more sponge-like.
• Microfiber mesh is made of fabric that remains soft in both dry and wet states.

Both fabric types effectively absorb sweat and are machine washable (use a mild detergent) so they can be used multiple times without having to be replaced. But they are not recommended for the dryer, as the heat can damage the fabric’s cooling properties. 

Both polyvinyl acetate and microfiber mesh cooling towels employ a concept referred to as “evaporative cooling.” 

How Evaporative Cooling Works

Evaporative cooling emulates the scientific process that occurs when water evaporates in the air. When water changes from a liquid to a gas it absorbs heat energy, which causes a cooling effect. It’s the same thing that happens when you sweat and the moisture produced helps cool down your skin. 

When you wet a cooling towel with cool or even warm water, moisture from the water droplets spreads throughout the fabric. Wringing or waving the towel further circulates the moisture and causes a controlled form of evaporation to happen, which is what makes the towel feel cool when you place it atop your head, on the back of your neck, or other parts of your body that need immediate relief.

Different brands of towels function differently based on the grade and consistency of its source fabric. The thicker the source material, whether polyvinyl acetate or microfiber mesh, the longer it takes the moisture to evaporate—and the longer it provides that refreshing cooling sensation. 

Some brands promise fabric that stays cool for three to five hours and can reduce the body temperature up to 30 degrees. Others claim that their high-performance material absorbs water that equals more than twice the towel's weight. Other benefits of some cooling towels include UPF sun protection and ultra-lightweight material that makes the towels easy to store and transport. 

Of course, there’s really only one thing that matters: Does the towel actually work? For those who use them regularly and leave glowing reviews on online retail sites, the answer is a resounding yes, with comments that rave about the towels’ ability to cool down the body, wick away sweat and moisture, and reduce overall body temperature.

However, some testing by Consumer Reports did indicate that the technology behind cooling towels did not work as well when humidity levels were high.

More than Towels

While towels can be effective at keeping your body temperature regulated and helping outdoor workers avoid heat stroke or other ailments, there are other pieces of headwear designed with the same advanced materials that may be more convenient in some circumstances or environments. 

Other accessories available to keep you cool include cooling caps, bandanas, headbands, and sweatbands. Some companies even sell cooling hard-hat liners specifically marketed to the construction industry. 

Beyond the Job Site

Cooling towels are also used as accessories for athletes, especially runners or triathletes that train and perform mostly outdoors. In fact, professional athletes such as tennis star Serena Williams and golf champion Sergio Garcia are among the many sports figures seen on television using some version of a cooling towel to beat the heat during matches. 

Because of their compact size and easy-to-activate cooling features, these towels are also great to have on hand when doing yard work, hiking, camping, fishing, or attending sporting events in hot weather. 

If you work outside during the summer months or are planning an outdoor activity, pack a few cooling towels and you’ll be ready to stay safe and active even when the sun is blaring and the temperatures become oppressive. 

Product Compliance and Suitability

The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.