What can I use to fill a homemade heat pack?
Lori from Ponca, NE
I made a whole bunch of heat packs and filled them with oats. Because I had to buy a 50 lb. bag of oats, I used them in the bird feeder. (12/29/2006)
By siris.
Rice grains, uncooked of course. Beans will work too. Add lavender or some sage if you want to. Enjoy! (12/30/2006)
Use an off brand rice, but not minute rice. It works great! (01/03/2007)
By pam froelich
Fill a cotton tube sock 3/4 of the length with plain white rice and sew the end shut. Heat this in the microwave on a pie plate (to keep it clean) for 2 minutes. I usually put a washcloth under the heated sock at the beginning because it is really warm. As it cools, I remove the washcloth. It will stay warm for about 20 minutes. Mine have been used repeatedly. (01/06/2007)
I had the idea to make one for myself last night having sore muscles from jogging. I poured some Sushi rice I had on hand in a sock and tied it off with a scrunchie rubber hair band. It worked awesome. My legs went from being tight and sore to barely sore the next day. I'm gonna try adding lavender or sage, any other herb suggestions? Also, just curious why not minute rice? Does it puff up or explode or something? Now I want to try it to see. :) (02/15/2007)
By Sami
Minute rice works well too. I didn't have regular rice. I also tied the sock in a knot at the end. (04/29/2007)
By wilma
I use rice in an old tube sock. I just tie the opening in a knot. I have one I microwave for a heat-pack, and one I keep in the freezer for an ice pack. So simple. (08/08/2007)
There's this website selling specialized heating pad filled with mineral salt. The heating pad not only retained heat, but available with very nice natural flower scent. For some reason, salt ingredient has strong stimulate effect for blood circulation, and the weight of the salt also allows heat to penetrate under our skin surface that creates a more therapeutic effect.
This is definitely unique, and effective. It's available at http://www.saleyaremedy.com (09/03/2007)
By SoSandra
I woke up at 3:00am with terrible back pain and was in NO condition to pull out a needle and thread and sew up a sock with rice in it. I took a wet medium sized bath towel and zapped it in the microwave for 2 minutes then placed the towel in a large freezer storage bag (don't put bag in microwave, it may melt) and TADA! Instant heating pad. The towel stayed very warm for almost an hour and solved my back pain problem. (10/28/2007)
By Christine
Has anyone had problems with microwaving neck pillows burning, that are filled with a combo of flax seed and lavender? (11/30/2007)
By Gloria
We made one with flax seed, but the flax seed seems to turn bad a stink after a few uses. We will try rice or beans. (12/13/2007)
By Joe
I was able to make 13 homemade heating pads with 25 lbs of rice, two bath towels, and 26 one serving packets of tea. First I cut the towels into pieces measuring 10 x 20 inches. I folded each piece long ways and sewed two sides, leaving one side open. I turned it right side outward and filled each sack with one full 20oz Dixie cup of rice. Then I added one packet of tea, a half a Dixie cup of rice, another packet of tea, and another half Dixie cup of rice. So each heating pad this size needs 40oz of rice (two full Dixie cups).
If these measurements are followed exactly there should be just enough rice and no extra. Lastly, I folded the raw edges in just enough to catch them in my seam as I sewed the last edge shut. Each heating pad should be about three quarters; full of rice. Three bath towels may be needed for some, as I had no scrap left over. Get the measurements of the towels you want and be sure to do the math before you buy them. Also make sure you get 100% cloth, whether you use a towel or not.
The tea I used was peppermint and chamomile, but any fragrant tea may be used, or none at all if you prefer, it's just to make it smell good. My only other note in making these heating pads is to be sure to have a funnel handy, it is a necessity. This project cost me approximately $24 for 13 beautiful and useful gifts ($1.84 per gift), and I know for a fact it can be done cheaper. (12/18/2007)
By Dianna
I filled a bandanna with some pinto beans. I tied all the corners together and put it in the microwave. No sewing needed. (04/27/2008)
(submitted via email)
I have been using rice with whole clove or cinnamon stick for scent enhancement to make my hot packs. I usually just buy the scrap fabrics that are reduced in price at the fabric shop for mine, so I have a variety of shapes and sizes for all different uses. I'd like to know if anyone has ever tried using the small river stones to retain heat longer?
April (09/22/2008)
By Jess
DO NOT PUT LAVENDER IN THE MICROWAVE! It is one of the few herbs that burns in the microwave. I recommend dumping the contents of a tea bag (peppermint works best) to make it smell nice, as well as rice and a little salt, and place it in scrap cloth that you have tied into a small sack. Old socks tend to be smelly, especially after being microwaved. Works like a charm. They do tend to cool down within an hour, so be prepared to reheat. (11/27/2008)
By Maegan
My mom and I made 2 homemade heat packs to give as presents. My dad has one and uses it constantly. We put uncooked brown rice and lavender buds in them. Believe it or not, I'm 9 years old and might start going into a business with these cool things! (12/24/2008)
By Anonymous
I buy fabric napkins on sale, generally for a dollar or so, and use those either two sewn together and sectioned off to make a BIG sack, or one folded in half, which is a perfect length to fit across my shoulders or along my spine (I'm kinda little). :) The napkins are generally a brushed cotton which is nice and soft and have pretty colors - and of course are pre-cut and edged which helps! If folding in half, I then just sew two of the open sides shut, turn inside out, fill with rice or wheat, fold in the top edges and sew shut.
Often you can find a napkin that's slightly bigger than the others and I use that to make a cover, simply fold in half and sew two sides shut and slip over the sack. These are wonderful gifts. I am a massage therapist and use them all the time on myself or clients. (01/01/2009)
By Lisa
I bought the hand warmers that stay hot for about 7+ hours and they work great. All you do is take them from the packet and they heat up. Then after they are done you can reuse them, by putting them into the microwave for 10-25 seconds and voila! It will be extremely hot for at least an hour. You might wanna wrap it up in a small hand towel after you take it out. (01/17/2009)
By shannon
I make heat packs all the time and I find that using an old mismatch sock works great. Add uncooked white rice, tie the top and place in microwave for 1 to 2 minutes depending on the size of the sock. (02/07/2009)
By Becky
We use these to help soothe our puppy in his crate at night. It is effective and safe if he happened to chew one open. I place it under his bedding. (02/11/2009)
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