Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Make a heating pad with a sock
• Method 2 of 4: Using a resealable freezer bag
• Method 3 of 4: Sewing a heating pad
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Heat pads are easy to make at home and can be used to relieve a number of different symptoms and pain that you might be experiencing. Whether you have a migraine, muscle pain, menstrual cramps or just plain cold, it is always a good idea to have a heating pad or water bottle ready. Heating pads can be particularly effective for relieving lower back pain. There are a few different methods, depending on what materials you have available and how much time you want to spend sewing together.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Make a heating pad with a sock

1. Fill an old sock with uncooked rice. This is the simplest method for a reusable rice-filled heating pad. It just requires an old sock, some rice, a microwave, and something to tie or sew the sock closed. First of all, you need a good size clean cotton sock that you won't miss, and rice to put in it.
   • There is no set amount of rice to use, but it is recommended that you fill the sock to at least half or three quarters of the way.
   • Don't overfill the sock, though. There needs to be a bit of flexibility so that the pillow can rest comfortably on your skin.
   • The idea is that the pillow can mold to your body a bit.
   • Some alternative fillings to rice include corn, barley, oatmeal, and beans.
2. Consider adding lavender oil. If you are making a heating pad to soothe your headache, you can add some herbal ingredients to help you. The most frequently mentioned additional ingredient is lavender oil. Simply mix a few drops (4 to 6) of 100% lavender essential oil into the rice.
   • It is best to mix this before putting the rice in the sock.
   • Other suggestions for additional herbs include marjoram, rose petals, and rosemary.
   • You can also use dried herbs.
3. Heat the sock with rice in the microwave. Now that you've made the rice sock, all you have to do is heat it up in the microwave. Place the closed sock in the microwave and heat it. The time it takes to heat the sock depends on the size of the sock and the amount of rice you used.
   • One and a half to two minutes should be long enough.
   • Keep an eye out and don't leave it unattended.
   • As a safety measure, you can place a cup of water next to the sock. If you have added dried herbs, this is a good idea.

Method 2 of 4: Using a resealable freezer bag

1. Get a resealable freezer bag. This is a very quick and easy way to make a heating pad. All you need is a zip lock freezer bag and some uncooked rice. Make sure the freezer bag is microwave safe, otherwise the bag will melt and smoke, and it will be a major disaster. If you still have a freezer bag somewhere in the kitchen, but aren't sure if it is microwave safe, don't use it.
2. Put the rice in the bag. When you are sure you have a microwave safe bag, pour in some rice. Fill the bag so that it is about three-quarters full of uncooked rice, then close the bag tightly (with the closure on top).
3. Place the bag in the microwave. Warm it up in the microwave for a minute, and an additional second to an additional minute if necessary. Once the bag has heated up, take it out of the microwave and wrap the bag in a towel or other piece of insulating material. Do not put the warm bag directly on your skin.

Method 3 of 4: Sewing a heating pad

1. Choose the fabric of your choice. You can choose just about what you want to make, but you can choose a cotton fabric, such as a T-shirt or pillowcase. Cotton can withstand high temperatures, so it is the best choice for your fabric. Ask yourself if the chosen fabric can withstand hot ironing to give you an idea of ​​its suitability.
   • Make sure no one misses anything you want to use.
2. Use it for lower back pain. Heat applied to the lower back can help relieve pain there, as heat relaxes the muscles. To do this, place the heating pad on your lower back, or on the painful part of your back. Leave it there for fifteen to twenty minutes.
3. Use it for headaches. Heat pads can also be used for headaches and migraines, in the same way as for back pain. The heat relaxes the tense muscles in your head and can thus relieve headaches or migraines. Place the pillow on your head or neck to experience its benefits.
4. Use your heating pad for other complaints and pain. Since the heat from your heating pad relaxes muscles, you can use it anywhere on your body (wherever you feel uncomfortable or painful) to relieve pain. Pillows like these are often used to relax neck and shoulder muscles and relieve back pain.
5. Consider using it as a cold compress. You can also use the same heating pad as a cold compress simply by placing it in the freezer first. There is less evidence that cold is just as effective for lower back pain as heat. If you're using a plastic bag, wrap it in a towel before putting it on your skin.

Tips

• If you can't do any of these things, you can wet an old kitchen towel with warm water and put it in the microwave for up to three minutes. Be careful then.

Warnings

• Keep an eye on everything you put in the microwave.

Necessities

• Bath towel / hand towel
• Resealable (freezer) bag
• A microwave
• Water
• Dust
• Sock
• Sewing machine