If you want a really simple and quick microwave heating pad, this is a frugal way to throw one together.
Fill a tube sock with 4-5 cups or rice or until the sock is 3/4 filled.
At the end of the sock tie a knot and pull tightly so the knot can't come undone easily.
Optional: Add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice. Add a few sprigs of dried lavender or rosemary.
To Use:
Place the rice filled sock in the microwave for 3-4 minutes. You can also place these in the freezer to make a cool pack.
These are great to put around a sore neck or on the small of a sore back. Also great during pregnancy. Make a few of them and put them on all your sore spots. These are much cheaper than the therapy bags sold in stores and work the same.
Note: Don't let the pack get wet.
By Stella from Manchester, WA
This page contains the following solutions.
To make a nice heated rice bag, use fleece and make it as big or small as you like. Just put the white rice into the rectangular fleece bag and stitch it up.
Take a tube sock of whatever size you would like and fill 3/4 full of instant rice. Put in microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. You will have a natural heating pad.
They are telling us we are going to get our first snow tonight here in Colorado and I was thinking that I needed to do something to warm up our bed to keep us warm at night when we turn down the furnace. So here is what I am going to do.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am looking for instructions for making the bags that you can put in the microwave. The ones you use for aches and pains etc. What is inside and how do you clean them when needed?
I made these out of a warm fleece material and stuffed them with rice last year. You can make them all different shapes and sizes - I made a long one that I heat and put around my neck and another one like a pocket that I can put my cold hands in.
My friend makes hers out of tube socks. Just fill it with rice and sew the top shut. They are great for stiff necks or sore knees and elbows---or anywhere you need some deep heat on a sore muscle. Word of warning, though. Store them in a sealed container especially if you live in a rural area like we do. Mine were on a shelf in my bathroom and a mouse found them!
I take a terry cloth tea towel. I fold it in half length wise. I then sew it in thirds. I then fill it about half full of field corn in each of the three pockets. I then double stitich around the towel.
I heat in the micowave about 4 miniutes. When it no longer keeps the heat or it gets dirty, throw it in the washer. Lay it out to dry (DON'T) put it in the dryer.
This works great on a knee as it is big enough to lay on the top of the knee and around the sides. Enjoy!
My sister made some of these with a medium weight cotton fabric. She used regular rice and added some essentail oil like peppermint and lavender. They smell great and are very soothing. Then she sewed a little pillowcase for it out of some old upholstery that was pretty. That way, when it gets dirty, you just take off the pillowcase and wash it.
Here's a coincidence! Not 30 minutes ago I finished two hot pads for my Chihuahuas. I used 100% cotton fabric and 100% cotton batting (thin). I cut 6 layers of fabric using a plate for the shape and 2 layers of the batting. Layer 2 fabric, 1 batting, 1 fabric. Sew around the rim of all and leave a 4 inch opening. Turn it inside out so the batting has fabric on each side. This gives you a low temp side with the batting, and a higher temp side with the fabric. I stuffed them with cheap, bulk rice and then sewed the opening shut.
A word of warning--a friend put his nylon or polyester socks in the microwave to dry them after he got caught in the rain. They melted and started a fire in the room.
I've been thinking of finding a cotton shirt and sewing on a liner with vertical tubes to fill with rice. I'd have the tubes run around the shoulders and across the back. My bursitis just yells for it. --Stone in OKC
For a medicinal heat pack for arthritis and rheumatism, dry roast in a clean pan equal amounts of fine diced old root ginger and rock salt till the ginger is golden and dry. Make a thick cotton case large enough to hold the mixture so that when flat the heat pack is 1 inch thick and seal. Make another as a washable case to put over it.
I've made heat pads before and had no problem with them, but I do not remember what kind of rice to use. I'm concerned about fire.
I bought Carolina Jasmine enriched Thai fragrant long grain rice (Thai Hom Mali Rice) and Lundberg California white Basmati aromatic long grain rice. Does anyone know how safe these are?
By Jae from NY
When I made mine several years ago, I used plain, cheap long grain rice. I've not had a problem. But I worried about fire, too. I read somewhere that, from time to time, you should put a cup of water in the microwave with the bag while heating.
I used Organic Flaxseed from Whole Foods. They sell it in bulk. I didn't worry about fire and I gave it to a friend that has used it repeatedly for years now!
When I make mine I just use the long grain, cheapie stuff. It will only catch fire if you heat it for too long. Small ones should not be heated over 2 minutes, large ones longer (3-4 minutes). Always test it to make sure it won't burn you.
I have had mine almost 8 years and have not had the first problem with any of them.
They also make a fabulous gift.
Gem
Mostly I've used whatever rice I had on hand. If I have to go buy some, I buy whatever is the cheapest store brand there. I've also mixed it with deer corn, dried beans, dried peas, lentils, almost anything like that is just fine. Never had a problem with any of it. Have fun with it. I just made 3 of them today!
I haven't done this for a few years, but when I did, I simply used whatever rice I had on hand. Honestly, I think I even used Minute Rice on occasion. :-) I just kept an eye on such as I was heating it in the microwave (usually less than two minutes) and it always turned out fine. As well, I was doing so super thrifty style and used clean, lone, tube socks as the casing. It's amazing how a clean, lone, tube sock filled with warm, dried rice can help a stiff neck!
I don't know about the rice, but I do know that deer corn works great. The corn has a moist heat and holds up very well, no worry about fire.
I need a pattern for a hot/cold neck pack. Thank you.
By cotygirl from Canada
I've made rice bags from muslin. No pattern, really. Here are approximate measurements, based on one of my existing rice bags.
I cut a piece of muslin about 12" X 11". Fold it in half to 6'" X 11". Stitch along the bottom (short) side and the long side. Turn right side out. Fill with desired amount of rice. Fold unfinished edges in, and run two lines of stitches (for extra security) along the last side.
When I've given these as gifts, I've made covers out of flannel. Just make it a little larger than the rice bag like a pillow case. I made a couple button holes and buttons on the open end to make it cuter and to help keep the bag from shifting/sliding out.
The quickest way to make a hot-cold pack is by taking a pillow case (made of cotton or 50/50 cotton-poly) then pour in one or 2 boxes or bags of any type of rice. (Minute rice OR regular). Then tie a knot on the end of this pillow case so the rice stays in.
To heat: Simply microwave it to heat the rice up. Usually for 2 or 3 minutes. You can also freeze it. But I prefer to instead use this rice-bag for only heating, then use a bag of frozen peas or corn for cooling. Buy 2 bags of peas & switch them out when the first starts to melt. When you no longer need the frozen peas (or corn) you can eat the veggies. (as long as they stayed frozen!)
I like the way you can take the warm rice-bag with you in the car, unlike a heating pad, this bag is portable!
If you know how to sew, you can turn the empty pillow case inside-out, then sew 2 seams up the middle of the pillow case 1 inch apart, then with scissors cut between the seams so you'll have 2 thin tubes, then fill with rice & knot the ends. If you use a pillow case you will have lots of room to move the rice around for your best fit & comfort. Buy your pillow cases at Second Hand at any Thrift Store or Garage Sale for 50 cents.
---> If they get dirty, simply un-knot the pillow case then dump the rice into a container & wash & dry the fabric then refill with the rice again. Easy, Fast & Cheap... Plus, if you are poor, you can buy the rice & frozen peas with Food Stamps & eat them when you no longer need the hot-cold packs!
* If you want a nice scent, add several tablespoons of Dried Lavender, Whole Cloves or slightly crushed Cinnamon Sticks to the Rice.
I plan to make small cloth heating pads out of left over material and warm them up in the microwave. Does any one have any ideas on what to put in it to hold the heat?
Can I use silica gel beads as filling for a microwavable heat pack? Or, I've heard of glycerin beads, but can't locate them. Any ideas?
By vcates from South Jordan, UT
I've never heard of silica gel beads or glycerin beads being used in making a microwavable heat pack. I have a microwavable heat pack and it is filled with white rice.
I am looking for instructions for how to make cow corn microwave heating pads.
By Barbara from Haverhill, MA
Make it with whatever kind of cooton fabric you like and the size you want it and fill it a little over half way with deercorn mixed with you favorite scented oil not much of it you don`t want it to strong, and sew the end up and it`s ready to use, just heat it in the microwave for a couple of minutes but don`t let it get hot and enjoy.
Never heard of cow corn but these heating pads can be filled with many items like rice or dried beans.
I make all of mine from long grain rice. It is comfortable and stays warm for hours. I use a hand towel and fold it in half to form the bag. you can fold it lengthwise for a long one to go around your neck or at the center to create a size that would do well on the knee, elbow, or small of the back. Use a heavy needle and thread. I sew mine on the machine and hand-sew the opening. Don't use a regular funnel to fill as it will be ever so slow and troublesome. I use a large heavy pc of paper bag and roll it to form a funnel with at least an inch to 1 1/2" opening. To heat, (I like mine hot) I use 1 1/2 min. per pound of rice. Hope this helps!
Just make sure the fabric you use is 100% cotton (or wool or silk)!
I found that if you place a small cup of water in the microwave as you heat your rice bag the rice will get that burnt smell and it helps with the moist heat. Also, I made a fleece sleeve cover for my rice bags, it helps hold the moist heat in longer .
Beans, and cheery pits work best, as they are a larger grain and hold their heat longer. Does anyone have any ideas for non-stop use . I injured my back and I am non-stop using my rice heating pads and the microwave heating is slower when you are trying to heat up more then one heating pad.
I thought of setting up a steaming pot on the stove top to set more then one heating pad in so I would have instant heated pads on hand as one or more cooled down. But I'm not sure if that would actually cook the rice or not?
Any ideas?
I love DIY! I've used rice in a sock, but have found it eventually, "cooks". Has anyone ever tried saving and drying out tea bags, (without staples), to use a a filler?
I made a heat pad with rice, but when I first got it out of the micro wave it was sweating. Why?
By Cindy W.
I had a pattern for a heating pad that has a removable inner pouch that is filled with rice or clean kitty litter. It can be heated up in the microwave and used many times.
I cannot find the information about heating times and was hoping your site would have that.I made a heating pad with rice out of a small square pillow case that I bought at the dollar store. I ripped out the zipper and sewed it up for microwave use. I used the pad maybe 20 times and then it exploded in the microwave. The rice was smelling like pop corn each time. When it exploded, the rice was burned. I used just plain white rice and heated it for up to 5 minutes each time as it was about 5 lbs of rice.
And it wouldn't feel good unless it was heated for a few minutes then turned over and heated another minute or so. Has this happened to anyone else? What did I do wrong? Material type, type of rice? Heating length? (but I needed it hot, not just warm). Thanks.By Blessedx100
I have a zipper on my wheat bag. Can I heat it in a microwave?
By John H
I just bought fleece fabric to make rice pack cover, but neglected to check fabric content. Must it be 100% cotton to be used in microwave?
By Jackie P
When making a microwave heating pad can it be sewn with polyester thread? I am afraid of the thread melting or over-heating and causing a fire?
By Elise L
Can you use vanilla essential oil purchased from the Dollar Store, or vanilla flavored tea bags, or vanilla scented potpourri in the rice heat pad?
By Carmela S.
I saw the cutest pattern for a cold pack for kids that was made like a chicken (it reminded me of the owl patterns you see everywhere). It was so cute. I wanted to make some for my great niece and great nephews who are always getting boo boos. Now I can't find the pattern. Please help me find a pattern and help the kids with their boo boos.
By debbie
I see the pattern for the neck band made from a sock. I was wondering if you have any other styles or shapes that I could try. The bands are the ones that you heat of make cold and are filled with rice.
By Louise
How much dried lavender do you put in a rice bag, hot/cold pack?
By Jeannie Y. from Elizabethtown, KY
This is a page about homemade heat packs. Therapeutic heat packs can be quite helpful to treating aching muscles and other ailments. You don't need to buy an expensive one at the store, when you can easily make one at home.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Can you use polyester fabric for making the microwave heating bags?
I am going to make some therapeutic bags for heating and cooling muscles and injuries. I plan to use flax seed for filler. What is the best kind of fabric (heat resistant, yet breathes) for me to use as the outer shell?
