Last night I got a great email from a reader in Sierra Vista named Kara – she made her own rice packs. And even better? She knew I’d be interested so she sent me the informaton – and it just so happens that it fits right in with Frugal Friday!
Recently, I needed a heating pad and pulled out my trusty rice pack. It’s a family favorite. “What’s a rice pack?” It’s a great alternative to the ‘traditional’ heating pads, and much safer, in my opinion. I got to thinking that it might be something you’d be interested in.
Well yes, I definitely was interested! So interested that here are the great details!
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What you need:
Getting started: You can make the rice pack as small or big as you like. Mine is approximately 12×6 inches. Cut 4 layers of fabric to size and stack with the 2 middle layers with right sides together. Sew around all 4 sides with at least a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving and opening about 3 inches or so. Turn right sides out and fill the center of the bag with raw rice. Be sure not to over-fill the rice pack. You want it to be able to move and mold to your body. Finally, sew the opening shut and you’ve got yourself a rice pack! How to use it: It’s quite simple. Toss the rice pack into the microwave and heat for 1-2 minutes, depending on how hot you need it (I do less time if I’m using it for my children) and how big you’ve made yours. Then use as needed. It’s a GREAT heating pad! I can give it to my kids and not worry about it over-heating (be sure to check that it’s not too hot to begin with) and there are no electrical cords, so I don’t have to worry about a fire hazard or them getting tangled in the cord while they sleep. Just be warned that the rice has a very strong odor when you first begin to use it. Trust me, this will go away eventually. Just give it some time. =) |
This would be an excellent idea for anyone to put in a gift basket – you could use cute tube socks, and make 2 heating pads and then a sock heating pad (for the neck); tie them up with beautiful bows and give them in the gift basket.
If you don’t have squares of fabric you can use tube socks to make them, you’ll want to put the rice in one tube sock, sew it up, and then stick that tube sock in another for extra "sealing” – so the rice does not get out. I’m a big sewer, and this would rank pretty easy on the sewing scale for those of you starting out.
Thanks Kara!
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Other Do-It-Yourself ideas: |
These are amazing! My mother in law made some for me a few years ago. They are great heating pads and also work super well for cold packs if you store them in the freezer.
I hve several of these and made them for all my coworkers one year for Christmas. They were a HUGE hit!!! My sister also adds herbs to hers.
I make these but use corn. The corn tends to be better at not absorbing any moisture. I also make small bags that I can microwave just before I take the dog on a walk in the coool NY winter months. It really helps!
Good idea!!! It prob gets cold up there, I’m cold when it’s 65 out I can’t imagine New York :-/
I keep my rice pack in the freezer and use it for the small boo-boo’s.
We use them too, both corn and rice. They make great cold boo boo buddies, not as cold as an ice pack, but feels good on a bump. The corn version seems to feel both colder and hotter. Be careful to make sure they’re not too hot before you put them on a child.
I like when you post these. Thanks!
I have been making these for years. I also get flax seed from the bins at sprouts and you can put in winter wheat as well. I use lavender. for cold. you dont want to heat up lavender much in the microwave, it can scortch. I use other herbs in my hot packs. like peppermint. and hops and chamomile and white willow. all soothing smells when heated.
give these to the little ones to keep in their freezers and they know that when they get a booboo to come to Momnanas freezer and get an ice pack. my freezer is full of these things.
Great tip Linda!
You can also use Jasmine Rice. It smells MUCH better than the regular white rice, when you warm it. I love it! It is a bit more costly for the rice though.
I havent tried it yet, but I was thinking about adding a couple drops of essential oil to a white rice one and see if that improves the smell.
Once the timer rings, switch off the burner and remove the pan from the heat. Let the rice sit, covered, for the next a few minutes and no peeking beneath the lid–the steam can escape.
Just a caution about the home made rice packs. I have Fibromyialgia and sleep with one every night to ease my back muscles. PLEASE DO NOT OVERHEAT!! I put mine in for 3 minutes and it caught on fire. Just a caution.