Instructions for Cool Mats?

[SABELLESMOM]

Anyone interested in making your own cool mat?

Your local garden center will have a polimer granule product called soil moist.
(polyacrylamide granules have an astounding absorbtion rate: 1lb/50 gal of water.)

Purchase a sturdy fabric. Decide what size you will need and add an inch to each measurement for seam (1/2" each edge) allowances. Sew around 3 sides. Then sew parallel tubes approx 1.5-2" wide. Put about 1 tsp granules per 12" of length in the tube. Sew remaining side closed.

Soak in cold water for about 30 min. (half capacity) Depending on degree of tautness, you may need to COMPLETELY dry and remove or add some granules. IF YOU HAVE A CHEWER, you may want to place the cool mat UNDER the crate or crate pan.

You can also make cool vests, by adjusting a doggy pattern to have the needed tubes. You can make a cool bandanna using a handkerchief. Fold into a triangle and sew 1 tube 1" from the fold, fill with 1/2 tsp granules and sew shut. Tie around your dogs neck as you would an ordinary bandanna.

Dry completely prior to storing. Hanging in cool shaded area works best.

I used striped awning fabric for mine and used the stripes as a guide for my tube sewing.

[TrishB]

This is great!

Please sticky this post for the summer months! Thanks for posting it!

[babybluetx23]

That is AWESOME! I will have to do this once Harley decides to STOP tearing everything up! I MAY try it under the crate pan while supervised.
Here is their Website:
http://www.soilmoist.com/

Soil Moist is a synthetic acrylic copolymer. The polymer is non-toxic and safe to use in all landscape applications. When added to landscape and planting applications, Soil Moist will continue to work for an extended period of time.

I like that it is non toxic!

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by babybluetx23

http://www.soilmoist.com/

I like that it is non toxic!

Me TOO! NON TOXIC is big with me!

Granules are small and white, like coarse or sea salt. A 6 oz package runs about $5. (One lb is $11) The 6 oz could make up to 2- 3 Rottie size cool mats.

[laurlitt]

Someone at our Sch. club is making neckbands (using the same concept) for the dogs... but it seems that the humans are liking it more... Gosh, if I only had my sewing machine that is 2000 miles away at my parents house!!!!

How long do these granules last and how do you maintain the coolness and size? Do you have to re-soak, keep in the freezer, etc. Will the granules stop working after so many 'cycles' of being wet and cooled?

Thanks for the directions and link.

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by laurlitt

Someone at our Sch. club is making neckbands (using the same concept) for the dogs... but it seems that the humans are liking it more.

How long do these granules last and how do you maintain the coolness and size? Do you have to re-soak, keep in the freezer, etc. Will the granules stop working after so many 'cycles' of being wet and cooled?

The mats stay cool as long as it takes the water to evaporate: I've had mine stay cool 3-4 days without resoaking. (so I would imagine it has to do with the type of material you use for the outside...dense/strudy -vs- thin and airy) No FREEZER.

The link claims soil moist continues to work for an extended period of time. There ARE directions at the bottom for COOL VESTS and COOL BANDANNAS. (Yes, I've been known to wear a bandanna myself)

[TrishB]

I have the sewing machine - now all I need to do is to learn to sew!

[fbkeays]

Drying the mats out is critical. I have had mine mildew. Unfortunately I live on the coast where it is cool and foggy/overcast much of the time. Most of the fun dog events are away from my blessed 60 degrees and in the 80-105 degrees. I use the cool mats. Unfortunately when I get home, it takes forever for them to dry out. I have one that used on the 3rd of July and it isn't completey dried out yet. I have it laying on top of a wire crate in the garage.
I have used the bandannas. I like to have two. Wear one and have the second one in a bag in the cooler- switch every couple of hours.