How to Make Microwave Heat Bags for Pain Relief
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Sore muscles, menstrual cramps, postpartum pain, or just a child’s booboo — there are lots of reasons you might want to keep microwavable heating pads on hand. Making your own microwave heat bags is a great way to bring gentle heat or cooling relief to any ache or pain.
This project is a super simple way to give affordable and practical presents as well.
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Years ago, in Kansas City, mind you, a friend gave us a cloth pillow filled with dry feed corn. I thought it was crazy. And then she said, “You know a friend gave me one and I thought she was crazy. But, it’s really amazing how nice it is in the winter.”
How right she was! We had one “corn bag” or microwaveable heat pack to share among the seven of us that first winter. The kids would take turns heating it in the microwave and then slip it under the covers to warm up their beds.
Once they fell asleep, we parents would snatch the corn bag to heat up our own bed. Oh, yes, yes, we did.
In summer time, the boys would store it in the freezer to cool off with! Clever fellows.
Corn Bags Make a Great Gift!
That was the year of our Great Awakening, when we started to pay off all our debts. We had no money to buy gifts, and the only thing the boys wanted on their list were corn bags of their own. They were so sweet about it. They knew we had NO MONEY to buy gifts, so their requests were humble and modest.
Indeed, these are some of the best frugal gifts I’ve ever given.
Microwave Heat Bags are a great gift you can make yourself. They are perfect for Secret Santa gift exchanges since everyone needs a little cool or warm relief from time to time.
Determined to give them something fun — and super thankful that the grandparents were picking up our slack — I bought colorful fabric in the patterns that I knew would please them (Kansas City Chiefs, dinosaurs, Thomas the Tank Engine, and rainforest lizards). After they went to bed, I sewed up a storm, even making little hand size packs to put in their pockets.
It was a great Christmas, and the boys were thrilled with their gifts.
Since then “corn bags” — even though the current ones are filled with rice — have been a staple in our home for soothing muscle spasms and bring comfort on cold days.
This is an easy, fun gift to make for your kids or for yourself! You just need to be able to sew three straight lines. That’s it!
Uses for Microwave Heat Bags
Though my current microwave heat packs contain rice, my kids still refer to them as “corn bags” and have used them since they were very young. They’ve used them for:
- warm heat pain relief of shoulder pain, neck pain, muscle pain – If you have a chronic pain, these are really nice to have on hand for natural pain relief, a great gift for new moms!
- warming up in cold weather – I’ve made small bags to warm cold hands in winter and we regularly use them to warm cold beds before bedtime.
- cold pad or cool therapy – store them in the freezer so they’re ready when you need an ice pack, they can comfort kids after orthodontia work as well as other bumps and bruises.
- relaxation – either hot or cold, the weight of the filling along with added lavender or essential oils can turn a simple reusable heating pad into a wondrous relaxation gift, perfect to tuck into a Spa Gift Basket.
Variations
While our microwaveable heat bags are about the size of an icepack, remember you can make them in different sizes and shapes:
- pocket-size microwave heat pads are great for kid-size booboos and for tucking into pockets as hand warmers.
- sinus eye pillows (about 2 by 7 inches) – These are great for soothing puffy eyes. Keep the cold eye packs in the fridge or freezer for easy use.
- extra long neck wraps – cut your microwavable heat bags long and thin enough to wrap around the neck and shoulders
Supplies Needed
In addition to a sewing machine, you’ll need:
- cotton fabric – Use breathable cotton fabrics in fun colors and patterns. This allows you to make each kid his own heating pad which is super special.
- cotton thread
- uncooked rice, whole corn (dried as what is used in animal feed), cherry pits, or flax seed to fill (Do NOT use Minute Rice)
- scissors and pinking shears
- optional: dried lavender flower – These will add a bit of relaxing scent, but you can also add a few drops of essential oils to the bag prior to use. (Just don’t use it near the eyes if you do.)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut a rectangle twice the size of your desired heat pack. Mine were 10 x 11 inches. Pink the edges.
- With right sides together, fold the fabric in half, forming a thin rectangle. Sew two sides together. Reinforce with an extra seam. Turn the case right side out. It should look like a skinny pillow case.
- Fill the bag with with rice, leaving two to three inches empty at the top. Fold the top inside itself, and sew shut. Sew that seam again to reinforce it.
Tip for success: In my experience, it’s good to heat and cool each rice bag and allow it to dry completely prior to gifting. Initial heating can release a little bit of moisture in the bags.
To use: Just heat the bag for a minute or two in the microwave and use to warm cold beds or sore tummies. It is recommended to place a mug of water in the microwave alongside the heat packs in order to avoid scorching. Store in the freezer to use as a cold pack.
Remember that if you give these as a gift, it’s best to include an instruction card. When my friend Krista gave me one years ago I didn’t know what it was!
Safety Tips
As always, please use common sense and safety precautions. I am not responsible for fires in your microwave. I am merely sharing our experience and what has worked for us.
- Heat a mug of water in the microwave alongside the bag to prevent scorching.
I could not find specific instructions for bags with the fillings I’ve used. However, I did find these safety reads for bags filled with wheat. I’m not sure how that filling differs from these fillings. Just FYI.
- Safety Guidelines for Wheat Bags from New South Wales
- Safety Guidelines for Wheat Bags from Cheshire, UK
P.S. There is a good round of Q&A in the comments section.
What works for you?
Leave a comment below and let us know what works for you.
Microwave Heat Bags
Equipment
- sewing machine
- scissors
- pinking shears
Supplies
- 1 piece cotton fabric , double the size you want the finished piece and add 1 inch.
- cotton thread
- uncooked rice do not use minute rice. can also use feed corn, flax seed, or cherry pits
Instructions
- Cut a rectangle twice the size of your desired heat pack. Mine were 10 x 11 inches. Pink the edges.
- With right sides together, fold the fabric in half, forming a thin rectangle. Sew two sides together. Reinforce with an extra seam. Turn the case right side out. It should look like a skinny pillow case.
- Fill the bag with with rice, leaving two to three inches empty at the top. Fold the top inside itself, and sew shut. Sew that seam again to reinforce it.
Notes
This post was originally published on February 12, 2013. It has been updated for content and clarity.
I made one using pinto beans and a dress sock from my husband in a color he would never wear. My hubby used to work in a bean mill so they were easy to come by. I like the weight of it. It’s at least 5 years old now and it’s starting to get stinky. Guess it’s time to make a new one.:)
These are great for headaches too – I make them with rice in a sock (and sometimes a decorative cover) and my family LOVES them – first thing they ask for when they have any sort of muscle pain. Here is how I make them: http://behealthybehappywellness.com/2012/12/frugal-friday-give-the-gift-of-relief/
They are good to keep cold in the freezer, too.
I have known about (& used these) for over 25 years. NEVER thought about using them as ice packs!!!!! Thanks
Another thing I have done with our rice heat packs were to make them in muslin, then use the cute fabric as a cover that can be taken off and washed. No more grungy looking heat packs!
Yes! I’m just so lazy….. especially when it comes to sewing. I am a Jo March if there ever was one.
Or you could simply rip a seam and empty the rice (our whatever you used) into a bowl, wash the fabric and fill it back up once laundered. This works great if the rice our what-have-you starts to smell or if you want to add some spices or essential oils to the mix. Then just stitch back up and viola like new again! 😘
Can also use velcro to close off end.
We use them all the time but recently I read this link from an article after elderly womans bedding caught fire ! http://m.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/for-consumers/goods/product-safety/wheat-bags. I still heat the bed with it but don’t leave them in it , just warm the bed for 10 min or so before we get in. I make ours and use buckwheat to fill.
I’ve never heard of them being made with buckwheat. And I’ve never heard of them catching on fire with rice or corn. Interesting, though. Thanks for the heads up.
If bags are constantly reheated without being cooled down first the grain (whatever you use) gets too crispy and burns. Allow bags to totally cool off before reheating.
Love them. Only our bearded dragon has one though—and his is made of rice dumped in an old sock, tied off with a rubber band! My dh would think I was mad if I made up a nice one for the dragon (when the beardie travels this is his heat source for short trips). LOL
So just plain ol’ – buy it cheap in a bag rice? If so excellent! I’ve lost a lot of weight and am always cold now and would love one (or four) of these to warm my bed at night or something along those lines.
Yes, about a dollar for a one pound bag at Walmart. 🙂
I bought Jasmine Rice. Sprinkled lavender essential oils over the rice. I also use baby receiving blankets. Got them cheap at a thrift store. I cut them in half. Sew them as usual and fill with my scented rice. I make these for myself and my friends. You think you get cold, we live in Ontario Canada. PS I also breed small dogs so I have a couple bags for my puppy beds. Keeps them warm and snuggled.
Am I able to use minute rice? Only thing in my house right now!
unfortunately, no. it will just turn to mush.
You can use dried beans, split peas, feed corn, rice and add lots of dried herbs. Add a scent that is soothing. When your heat bag is warmed it sends a wonderful smell through your home.
totally forgot about pinking shears!! Thank you! I love to sew but finally gave away my serger because I could never ever thread it right. I was dreading double-sewing all my seams in the dress I’m making. Just ordered some shears on Amazon. Thanks!
Why do you have to use pinking shears? I’m new to sewing.
Pinking shears help reduce fraying of the cut fabric edges. You don’t have to use them, but it your fabric has a tendency to fray, it can get annoying.
Instead of pinking shears you can also “zig-zag” stitch all the edges to keep them from fraying as well. Extra time but if you don’t have shears it works.
Great point. Thanks!
I’m using these for menstrual cramps and read that certain blends of essential oils help or just plain ol’ lavender or peppermint essential oil helps. I sprinkled the rice with lavender essential oil and let the rice dry, you can do this step before sewing. You could probably mix the rice with dried lavender too? I don’t know if the smell actually helps, but it sure smells good and the heat definitely help with the cramps. Disclaimer: no scientific study has shown that heat packs help with relieving menstrual cramps, but based on personal experience, it works for me.
Oh, I’m SO happy to see this. You see, we do live in the cold. And I bought one of these for my daughter a few years ago at some craft fair. My so wanted one, so I happened upon another one around Christmas. Well, they both have corn in them. But the second one stinks and I mean stinks when it is heated. I just threw it out. So just plain old rice works too? I think I’ll try to make him another one with some rice in it.
Yes, plain cheap white rice works fine. DO NOT use Minute Rice. I had a friend who did that. LOL.
dried beans like navy beans, pinto beans ect. work great too.
Flax seed is the best. It is lighter than rice and it is also softer. I make them with flax seed and am beginning to make covers for each one. I have used mine for many years and they still are very useful. See if you can find someone who makes them with flaxseed.
I have made them with flax seed and I think it stays hot longer, I’ve alao used wheat, rice, corn which smell so good it makes you want a snack lol. They all work well. I’ve made small ones to fit the hands of children to keep their hands warm with or without gloves or mittens prior to going out to wait for the school bus.
We love these as well! So easy to make and they will become a cherished item. We live in NH so ours get used a lot this time of year. They also help when I get a migraine.
On another note, on your advice, I purchased Andrew Peterson’s “Love and Thunder”. It is fantastic and I have already ordered more including “Music for the Lost Boy”. I will also be gifting these out to others I know will love them as well. Thank you for bringing his music to my attention!
AP is great!
Ironic that I read this today. I’m sitting in a hotel down there street from the Ryman Auditorium after seeing the 20th anniversary show of “Behold the Lamb of God” by Andrew Peterson and crew. He’s our favorite, and we see it every year. I sang “Canaan Bound” every night to my oldest (now 16) and his little brother (4) for years. Love and Thunder is just a fabulous album.
Saw that show in Kansas City about 14 years ago. Loved it!
And if you can’t sew, you can buy cute socks and stuff them full of rice. There are tutorials for that online, too. =)
Yes, just be sure that they are cotton socks. I wanted to do that with Christmas socks and they all had synthetics in them. Boo.
Oooh, why is that? I think I was going to try it with synthetic socks…
I don’t have a link or anything, but I remember when I was researching it years ago, it said not to use synthetic fabrics because those could catch fire in the microwave. I could be wrong, that was my understanding.
Synthetics CAN be used! I have made these “corn bags” for years now with polyester fleece, which is very cozy! Never had a problem with microwaving them. I usually nuke them for 3 minutes to heat to the best temp.
Also, about the “popcorn” smell…you can add whole spices to the bag to bring out a nice scent when heated. (anything works…I have used whole cloves, small cinnamon sticks, whole allspice)
Synthetic socks melt and burn. And then smell bad.
Polyester and acrylic fibers will melt and maybe even catch fire in the microwave. Must use 100% cotton.
they can catch fire!
Down here in Louisiana we use rice and they are great for earaches. Just be sure to wrap the heat pack in a towel before you lay your sore ear on it.
Yes! Using socks is great. We make little tiny ones (baby socks) with rice to use for ear aches. You don’t even have to sew them if you want them for temporary use. Just fold over the end after filling, and then slip another sock over it. Heat in the microwave in 10 second increments until desired temp.
My friend gave a heat bag made from cotton wash cloths filled with rice. It is great worms my feet every night in the winter. My husband always ask me if I want a hot tub for my feet
Hi what kind bag do u use ? Then can u do fleece material like they do the tie blankets and tie like that. Hope that makes since