Easy to Make-Microwavable Hot / Cold Rice & Lavender Packs

Microwavable Rice and Lavender Hot or Cold Pad

Need to soothe aches and pain, bumps and bruises? Nothing brings comfort like a microwave rice hot pack! Add a hint of lavender to your hot pad for a calming effect.

If you are sporty with muscle aches or have bickering children that make a certain shoulder muscle tense you need a cloth bag of rice that you can microwave. Everyone needs a few of these in the house. Keep one in the freezer for when you need a cold one (great if a doozy of a headache is coming on) and another ready to go for the microwave when you need a hot one. Even if there are no muscle pains at the moment if you are feeling sick or can’t seem to shake off a chill its wonderful that in 3 minutes in the microwave you have a soothing warm compress…and don’t get me started about cramps….

You will need:

A piece of cotton 12 x 20 inches (rather than buy new why not upcycle an old pillowcase or piece of clothing you don’t want-or something from the sewing scrap basket)
Sewing machine
Needle and thread
Funnel or juice bottle turned into a funnel
3 lb bag of uncooked long grain rice
3 tablespoons of dried lavender (this is optional-if you are sensitive to smells start with 1tbsp-it should be subtle and soothing) you can buy lavender from the bulk store or health food store

Choose a calming fabric in 100% cotton. You only need 12 inches x 20 inches (30 cm by 51 cm) so its a great way to use up a scrap remnant from another sewing project.

I love this soothing pattern. Just looking at it calms my headache.

Cut the fabric to size and iron flat.

Fold in half.

Sew around the edge.

Sew around the fabric leaving a 2 inch opening.

Turn the fabric inside out.

In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of rice and 3 tablespoons of lavender buds. Lavender is completely optional. I found that the lavender was very strong smelling when heated, so I decreased it to 1 tablespoon.

I picked up lavender at the health food store.

Using a funnel fill the bag with the rice and lavender mixture. Fill to approximately ¾ full.

I didn’t have a funnel with a wide enough neck so I pulled a big juice jug from the recycling bin and cut off the bottom half. It’s the perfect funnel for this project.

You don’t want it jammed full because its going to be wrapped around your neck or across your forehead so you need some flexibility. Leave 1/4 of the tube empty. Pin the end securely.

Try it out! How is the flexibility? See how comfortable it is with the current amount of rice. Add more or remove some to make it more to your liking.

If you are happy with it….Tuck the unfinished ends in and hand stitch it closed.

Hot Pack Instructions- To make it a hot pack just microwave for approximately 2 minutes depending on your microwave. It may need another 30 seconds but test it to see what is right for you. My sized rice pack and microwave seem to be perfect at 3 mins. Be careful not to make it too hot for skin. It should be lovely and soothing. (Not for children-Use at your own risk)

Cold Pack-Place the rice pack in a ziplock bag and put in the freezer. Amazing for headaches or bumps and bruises.

Mini Packs and Pocket Warmers-To make pocket warmers cut a piece of fabric 3 x 5 inches (or old lost sock) to be approx. 5 inches long. Follow the instructions above. For microwaving heat for 30 seconds to start and test out the perfect length of time for your hand warmers.

I always store my rice packs in a ziplock bag to keep the dust off. Do not microwave it in the plastic bag.

Remember to make a spare one for your desk at work and make a few extras to take to friends with the flu with some chicken soup. Ohhh, you’re such a good friend…