How to Make a Wheat Hot Bag

For some types of pain or stiffness, nothing feels better than applying a warm compress. However, electrical heating pads can be dangerous, especially for people with limited mobility, and hot water bottles aren't always easy to mold around the painful area. Wheat hot bags are safer because you can more easily control the temperature. The wheat bags' soft, pillow-like shape is easy to wrap around a sore neck, knee, or other curved part of the body. Instead of buying an expensive wheat hot bag, make one yourself following these steps.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy cotton fabric (such as denim, flannel, or canvas)
• Scissors
• Needle and thread
• Sewing machine
• Whole grain wheat (about 1 lb.)
• Microwave oven

Instructions

1. Cut the fabric in about a 24-inch square.

2. Fold the fabric inside out into a rectangle.

3. Stitch the two open sides closed with the needle and thread. The stitches have to be very close to keep the wheat grains from falling out, so use a sewing machine instead of stitching by hand.

4. Turn the bag right side out and fill it halfway full with the whole wheat grains.

5. Sew the open end closed with the needle and thread or sewing machine.

6. Heat the bag in the microwave for about two minutes. Test the bag when you take it out. If the bag is too hot, put it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to cool it off, and shorten future heating times.

7. Apply the wheat hot bag to the painful area. The wheat grains should retain the heat for several hours.

Tips & Warnings

• The wheat hot bag can be larger or smaller than the size described here, depending on how you want to use it. Whatever size or shape you make, be sure to fill it just about halfway so that it is flexible. Put the wheat bag in the refrigerator or freezer to make a cold compress. Fill a thick sock with wheat and tie a knot in the open end to make a hot bag quickly for a baby screaming in the middle of the night with an earache.

References

• About wheat hot bags