Be Cool!

Written by Robyn Holder Robyn Holder

Published: 14 May 2018 14 May 2018

Once a year, my family hosts a wiffleball game that is the highlight of the summer for many of us.  My kids organize the day … I just feed everyone!  We have as many as 30 mostly young people join us in our backyard for an afternoon of great fun – complete with baby pool bases and slip ‘n slide base lines.

The day is always sunny and hot, which means a lot of sweaty people.  Last year, I experimented with some refreshing face and neck cloths to offer these athletes – and they were a big hit!  I think I might have been the MVP of the game.

I simply used plain white wash cloths (think dollar store ones) and soaked them in peppermint oil water.  I recently read some recipes for making these in Magnolia Journal, so I thought I’d share these recipes with you!

You can use any essential oils that appeal to you.  I love peppermint oil for a refreshing lift during a wiffleball game.

Robyn’s Peppermint Cloths

12 (or whatever amount you want) wash cloths

Bowl of water to soak cloths

Add 6 – 12 drops of peppermint oil to the bowl of water.  Add the cloths and allow them to soak for 30-60 minutes.  Wring each cloth out loosely, roll it up, and put it into a plastic bag or covered bowl.  Freeze for at least 6 hours (I like to freeze overnight).  When needed, simply pull out of the freezer and drape on your neck, wipe your face, head, hands – whatever needs cooling!

You can use any scent you like – try wintergreen, lavender, lemon – experiment!

Magnolia Journal Cloths   *(from the Summer 2018 issue)

6 drops grapefruit essential oil

6 drops lemon essential oil

1 tsp. Epsom salts

6 washcloths or small hand towels

1 lemon, cut into strips ((optional)

1 sprig of eucalyptus (optional)

Fill a cold bowl or pan with cold water.  Add essential oils and Epsom salts (interesting twist), mixing gently until salts are dissolved and oils are mixed.  Roll washcloths and place in bowl.  Soak for at least 2 hours.  Remove from bowl and wring out.  Place cloths in a freezer-safe container or bag.  Chill in the freezer a few hours or overnight. 

Magnolia Journal suggests arranging the cloths on a pretty platter or in a bowl, adding strips of lemon peel or the eucalyptus sprig for decoration.  I’m not that fancy!  I just hand mine out in the field – to shrieks of delight!  Try these for your next outdoor event.

To Your Vitality!