How to Make Hot Packs
Hot packs, or moist heat packs, are great to have on hand for sore muscles or keeping warm. Just put them in the microwave for a minute or two. You can easily make a heating pad so that you'll always have one when you need it. Make some in several different sizes to suit a variety of needs. Hot packs also make a relatively inexpensive gift for birthdays or holidays.
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Things You'll Need
- Fabric
- Filler (rice, buckwheat, etc.)
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Essential oil or dried herbs (optional)
Instructions
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1
Determine the size you want your hot pack to be. Think about what you'll use the heat pack for to determine its size. A large hot pack of about 20 inches by 10 inches is a good size for lower back pain or cramps. You can drape a long, thin heat pack (23 inches by 6 inches) around your neck for shoulder and neck pain. Small heat packs (4 inches by 4 inches) are the ideal size for hand warmers.
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2
Cut two pieces of fabric the size that you need.
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3
Place the fabric with right sides together. Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, sew three sides of the fabric together. Turn the piece right side out.
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4
If you want to add a scent such as lavender to your heat pack, mix it with your filler choice. Use can use an essential oil or dried herbs.
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5
Fill your hot pack with your filling choice. Pick a filler that will retain heat. Uncooked rice, wheat, buckwheat hulls or feed corn make excellent choices.
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6
Fold the remaining ends in and sew it together. It may be easier to do this by hand than with the machine due to the filling.
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Tips & Warnings
You don't have to use a basic rectangular shape. Try cutting the fabric into unique shapes, such as animals or flowers. Fleece is not the best choice for a heat pack. It is soft, but it doesn't retain the heat as well. Stand by the microwave as you are heating it, checking the hot pack frequently. The temperature can quickly get too hot. Hot packs tend to require less time to heat as they age.
