How to Make Heating Pads With Rice & Flax seed

Would you like to learn how to make heating pads with rice and flax seed? These cushy pillows can be heated in the microwave, and used for relaxation and mild aches and stiffness. You can place the pad on joints, your stomach, or your back to help relieve mild pain. Or place the heating pad over your shoulders with a cup of tea and a book!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 100% cotton fabric in any pattern (20 by 9 inches)
• 8 cups of rice and flax seed (any proportion is fine)
• Herbs you like such as, cinnamon, lavender, chamomile, lemon grass, rosemary, peppermint or spearmint (optional)
• Basic sewing materials (needle and thread or a machine if you like

1. 

   Position the 20 by 9 inch fabric horizontally to start. Lay the printed side up.

2. 

   Fold the top down. It will look inside out at this point. Sew along the right side and bottom.

3. 

   Snip the corners on the top right, bottom right, and bottom left. This step will make the corners lay flat in the final product.

4. Turn the material inside out.

5. 

   Fill the pocket you’ve created with your filler ingredients. Pour in up to 1/4 cup of herbs in any amounts you like. Choose ones you enjoy the scents of, because warming your heating pad will bring out the aromas. Experiment to find scents that complement each other (if you’re not sure, try peppermint, spearmint, and lavender in any proportion). Then fill the rest with a mixture of rice and flax seed (if you’d like it to retain its heat longer). Use enough rice to achieve the volume you desire. It should be full enough to retain its shape, but empty enough that it can lay over your shoulders if you choose to use it for them.

6. 

   Tuck the remaining flaps into the pocket. Then sew the end closed.

7. Take good care of your heating pad. When you microwave it start with 1 minute. You can always reheat it up to 5 minutes, but WATCH it as it heats to make sure that the fabric doesn’t scorch. Wear it over your clothes to protect your skin as well. Clean it by using a damp towel to wipe it, and your heating pad can last a few years. And that’s all you need to know to learn how to make heating pads with rice. Good luck!

Resources

• Intro photo courtesty of kissyface

[ReuseItAll]

on 6/30/2009 Easy to follow instructions!! This is a great homemade gift idea!! I didn't know Flax seed would help retain the heat longer! Great tips!!

[FrazzledNanny]

on 6/18/2009 Thanks for the instructions on making a heating pad from rice and flax seed. I can't wait to try this. 5*

[keytothestars]

on 5/30/2009 These heating pads are so wonderful. Until now, I never considered making my own, thanks!