
How do you make homemade Rice heating pad?
Instructions
- Start with a scrap piece of fabric measuring about 15” x 30”. ...
- Fold the piece of fabric in half, wrong sides together. ...
- Turn the fabric right side out. ...
- In a large bowl, stir dried lavender into the rice. ...
- Once filled, fold in the top to create about a 1/2 inch hem and top stitch over to seal the heating pad.
How to make a rice filled heating pad?
How to Make a Rice Filled Heating Pad from a Sock!
- You’ll want to find a clean sock that doesn’t have a mate. These are easily found in my house. ...
- Carefully slip the open end of the sock around a canning funnel for ease of filling. ...
- Fill the sock with desired filling. ...
- Carefully tie off the top…. ...
- Add in some essential oils if desired. ...
How do you make rice heat pads?
Instructions
- Tie up one end of a leg warmer tightly with baker's twine. ...
- If you're using essential oils, place the rice in a bowl, add about 10 drops of the essential oil to it, and stir well. ...
- Stick an empty toilet paper roll tube in this open end of the leg warmer or sock to use as a funnel. ...
How to make a homemade heating pad?
To make a heating pad, use:
- A wet dishcloth Place a wet dishcloth in a freezer bag and heat it in a microwave. First, make sure that the bag is microwave safe. ...
- An oven-heated towel Share on Pinterest A person can use a towel to make a homemade heating pad. People can use this method to make a larger heating pad. ...
- An old sock

Can you use uncooked rice as a heating pad?
The amount of rice you'll need will vary depending on what size microwavable heating pads you're making. Typically you'll want to use anywhere from a cup to roughly two cups of uncooked rice. Basically you want to use just enough to fill the heating bag, but you don't want it to be tightly packed.
How long do rice heating pads last?
Rice heat packs should stay warm for approximately 30 minutes. However, exact times will vary depending on your microwave and the size of your heat pack.
Is rice good for a heating pad?
When you use rice in your heat packs it delivers moist heat, which can be quite beneficial. Putting a small cup or bowl of water into the microwave when using any of fillers inside the heating pads can help with moisture.
Can I use a bag of rice as a heating pad?
We love to use these rice bags in the winter to warm up the beds or as a heating pad for body aches and pains. All you have to do is heat the bag in the microwave for a few minutes and you have a heating pad!
Is it safe to microwave a sock with rice?
You can also use a rice sock to keep food warm. Make a heat pack by filling a clean sock with rice and microwaving it for 2 to 3 minutes. Store the heat pack with containers of a hot dish to keep the food warm.
What rice is best for heat packs?
Long-grain rice is the preferred filler, be sure it's NOT instant rice. However, you can also use other grains like beans, corn, wheat, barley, or millet. Dried Cherry Pits have also been used as filler.
How do you clean a rice heating pad?
DO NOT put your heating pad in the washer or submerge it in water. To clean, spot treat the fabric, but be careful not to get any rice wet because that could create mold, and you don't want that! Allow the spot to air dry. Do not put the heating pad in the dryer.
How do you make rice filled heating pads?
2:314:31How to Make a Heating Pad with Rice (Easy Scrap Fabric Project)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I used about three and a half cups of uncooked rice for this size but you may need to adjust aMoreSo I used about three and a half cups of uncooked rice for this size but you may need to adjust a bit if you alter the size. And then you can use a funnel or just a piece of paper to get filling.
How do you make a rice warming bag?
0:412:38Heated Rice Bag How to - Whitney Sews - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAround three sides leaving opening in the short side trim the corners and turn right side out rollMoreAround three sides leaving opening in the short side trim the corners and turn right side out roll up your paper and tape to form a funnel. Use the funnel to fill your bag with. Rice.
What material is used for rice bags?
Polypropylene (PP) rice bags are commonly used to store, package, and transport rice grains.
What kind of fabric is best for rice bags?
You will need liner fabric for the inside rice pack (I used muslin but any cotton fabric will be fine) and fabric for the outside cover.
How long do you heat a rice bag?
Pop it into the microwave for about one minute at a time. Each microwave is different, and the size of the bag and the amount of rice will also have an affect. For my bag, 2 minutes is pretty good.
How Long Does a Rice Heating Pad Stay Hot?
Rice heat packs should stay warm for approximately 30 minutes. However, exact times will vary depending on your microwave and the size of your heat...
How Do You Make a Homemade Heating Pad Without Rice?
If you don’t have rice, you can make a homemade heating pad by putting dried beans in a clean cotton sock. You can also place a wet washcloth in a...
Why Do Heating Pads Work?
Heating pads work because the warmth increases blood flow to your muscles. When your muscles are sore, it’s usually because there’s a buildup of la...
How Long Should You Wear a Heating Pad?
According to Michigan Medicine, you should wear a heating pad for 15 to 20 minutes for back pain. Depending on the type of muscle strain or injury,...
Are There Battery-Operated Heating Pads?
There are quite a few battery-operated heating pads on the market! They make great gifts for someone who is always on the go. There are several sty...
What Can I Use If I Don’t Have a Heating Pad?
If you don’t have a heating pad, try taking a warm bath. The heat will promote blood flow to your sore muscles and increase your circulation. Plus,...
How Long Does a Rice Heating Pad Stay Hot?
Well, I’m so glad you asked because I legit spent 3 hours with the stopwatch feature on my phone tracking down the answers for you. Yes, I am a nerd.
Other Options For Filling Microwavable Heating Pads
You don’t want to use rice or maybe you have an allergy? I got you friend! Here are some great alternatives:
Can You Wash a Rice Heating Pad?
If you make your bags without a separate cover, they are not washable. You could always slip your rice bag into a pillowcase or cover it with a towel if you think it is going to get dirty. Or, make something like these Zero Waste Produce and Bulk Bin Shopping Bags and slip the rice heating pad in and close the drawstring.
Can you Heat a Rice Bag Without a Microwave?
Yes! I once made a huge microwavable heating pad for my husband’s lower back…without realizing it wouldn’t fit in our microwave. Doh! We would heat it in the oven on a baking sheet for 15 minutes at 300 degrees F.
How to Make Aromatherapy Rice Bags
My preference is to add 1-2 drops of the essential oil to the outside of the fabric so that I can change the oils as needed. But, if you want to scent your rice, add 15 drops of essential oils per 2 cups of rice.
Pro Tips
If your rice heating pads are more than 10 x 10 inches, the rice will shift around quite a bit. You can solve this issue by sewing segments called baffles to keep the rice in place before sewing the hemmed edges together. Turn the fabric right side out, then sew a straight line from the bottom end to the top.
Why heating pads work?
Heat therapy increases blood flow to the problem and painful areas and helps relax muscles spasms. The heat opens up the blood vessels which allows for a stronger flow of blood and oxygen to the sore areas.
STEP 1: Cut fabrics for the heating pad
I’d like to make mine out of two fabrics in different colors, you can use the same color if you prefer so. While I made both the front fabric and the back fabric from 100% cotton fabric, you can use softer fabric such as fleece for the back as long as it’s made entirely from cotton.
STEP 2: Layer fabrics with right sides together
Place the front piece of fabric on a flat surface before you and then place the second fabric on top of it, with the right sides facing each other.
STEP 3: Pin in place
Pin loosely around the heating pad. I’d like to use clips instead as it helps speed up the assembly process. Don’t forget to leave a 3 inch opening on one of the shorter sides to turn around the heating pad later.
STEP 4: Sew
Stitch around the rice heat pad and backstitch to lock your seams at the either side of the opening.
STEP 5: Turn the rice neck warmer inside out
Clip the corners at a 45 degrees angle and turn the rice neck warmer with right side out. Use something pointy to push all the corners out.
STEP 6: Press
Use hot iron to press the diy heating pad. And yes, I know that some of you might hate pressing, but it really helps to achieve professional look, so don’t skip it.
How to Make a DIY Heating Pad
Making your own heating pad is easy and can be done with items you probably already have laying around at home. All you need is some rice, a sock, and a couple minutes out of your day!
How Long Does a Rice Heating Pad Stay Hot?
Rice heat packs should stay warm for approximately 30 minutes. However, exact times will vary depending on your microwave and the size of your heat pack. If your heating pad starts to cool off and you want to use it again, you can put it back in the microwave for 15 second intervals until it warms back up.
How Do You Make a Homemade Heating Pad Without Rice?
If you don’t have rice, you can make a homemade heating pad by putting dried beans in a clean cotton sock. You can also place a wet washcloth in a microwave-safe freezer bag and heat it in the microwave. Simply wrap the pack in a towel and apply it to your sore muscles for 15 minutes!
Why Do Heating Pads Work?
Heating pads work because the warmth increases blood flow to your muscles. When your muscles are sore, it’s usually because there’s a buildup of lactic acid. This can happen if you overwork your body while exercising, doing household chores, or finishing up yardwork.
How Long Should You Wear a Heating Pad?
According to Michigan Medicine, you should wear a heating pad for 15 to 20 minutes for back pain. Depending on the type of muscle strain or injury, you may want to consider alternating between hot and cold therapy. If you go that route, you should wait several hours in between.
Are There Battery-Operated Heating Pads?
There are quite a few battery-operated heating pads on the market! They make great gifts for someone who is always on the go. There are several styles varying from one-time use all the way to cordless electric heating pads. The kind that you need depends on your lifestyle and how the heating pad will be used.
The Bottom Line
Heating pads can be expensive. By making one at home, you’re not only saving a bunch of money, but you’re also using your motor skills in the process. The result is fast relief, and of course, the pride of a job well done!
SUPPLIES REQUIRED
An old clean pillowcase. You could use what you already have around the house, or even go pick something out second-hand! When I made these in college, I had so much fun treasure hunting for the perfect patterns and fabric at thrift stores. Wash it of course! You don’t have to use a pillowcase though. Any sturdy 100% cotton fabric will do.
Step 1: Create an Envelope
If you are using a standard pillowcase, it should be around 20 to 21 inches wide. This will be the total length of the rice pack, but obviously we aren’t going to be using the entire pillowcase! We need to get rid of about half of it. The open end where the pillow enters will be removed – which can be used to create another rice heating pad.
Step 2: Finish the Edges of the Envelope
Next, we need to finish the freshly cut top edges of fabric. Keeping the envelope inside out, roll the top perimeter of fabric down and out by 1 inch. Use straight pins to hold the folded edge in place. Using a straight stitch on the sewing machine, sew around the top border.
Step 3: Create Rice Pockets
Turn your fabric envelope right-side-out, and measure the total length of your sack. The one I made here was about 20.5 inches. Across the center of the long side, we want to find the halfway point. So for this example, that was at 10.25 inches. Use straight pins to mark a line evenly up the middle of the sack.
Step 4: Mix Essential Oils & Rice
Add the rice to a large mixing bowl. For this size heating pad, I found myself using just under 10 cups of rice. If you are unsure of the amount you’ll need, I suggest going on the lighter side to start. You can always add more, but won’t want to use the rice for much else once you add essential oils!
Step 5: Add Rice to the Heating Pad
It is time to fill those rice pockets! Honestly, I never used a measuring cup or knew the amount of rice I added before making this tutorial. I went by feel. But to make it easier on you all, I measured this time and found that about 2 ¼ cup of rice per 5” by 11” pocket was the sweet spot.
Step 6: Close it Up
Finally, it is time to stitch the heating pad closed! You should be able to keep the end full of rice to the left, sitting alongside your sewing machine on the table, with enough empty fabric space to reach over to your needle – as shown below. I ran one straight stitch between the two existing seams we previously created in Step 2.
Step 6. Turn them right side out, through the turn hole, and make sure the corners are poked out
You can use your finger, a blunt pencil, or a large, blunt knitting needle to help.
Step 8. You can close the rice bag and hand warmers two different ways, depending on your preference
You can topstitch the end with the fill hole closed like I did in these photos.
Step 3. Tie off the other end of the sleeve
Admittedly, this was hard to do and gave me more of a round rice ball instead of a traditional rice bag haha.
Homemade Heating Pad with Rice & Lavender Essential Oil
If you’ve ever experienced terrible cramps or severe muscle pain, chances are you’ve reached for a heating pad. Heat helps relax muscles and can be effective in easing cramps or sore muscles.
Table of Contents
These homemade rice heating pads are infused with dried lavender and essential oil which make them incredibly soothing and relaxing.
Essential Oils
I love using essential oils in my everyday life. I am a member of Young Living which allows me to get 24% off of all YL products (including the infamous Thieves cleaning products). If you’d like to join so you can receive 24% off too, just click here!
Homemade Rice Heating Pad
With just a little scrap fabric and some rice, you can make your own homemade rice heating pads in under 30 minutes! These pain relieving heating pads are filled with dried lavender and essential oil for the ultimate treat!
