Homemade Heating Pads

A few years ago, I got a rice bag that you can use as either a heating pad or an ice pack. I use it primarily as a heating pad. I LOVE it. I use it to sleep with every night. It's almost like a security blanket that I can't live without. It's lavender scented so it helps me sleep better. The one I got was a gift and very expensive... well, expensive to me anyway. So when my girls starting asking for one, I wasn't too excited to spend money on two. Actually, three because Hubby wanted one too. I did a little research and found out how to make one on my own. Here is what I did:

Materials: 

• Material of your choice. (the amount of material will depend on how big you want the heating pad)
• Bag of rice (more depending on how big your heating pad is) 
• Sewing Machine (unless you are crazy and want to do it by hand)
• Funnel 
• Essential Oil of your choice (preferably doTERRA because of the high quality and CPTG Certification)

Directions: 

Step One: 

Measure out your material to the size you want.  Be sure to take into consideration extra material for sewing it together.  

Step Two: 

Sew all sides together, inside out, leaving an inch or two on the top to fit the funnel in for the rice.  

Step Three: 
Turn the material right side in

Use a skewer to push the corners out (you can't see it in the picture, but that's what I'm using)  

Step Four: 
Insert the funnel into the hole

Step Five: 

Pour full bag of rice into the bag using the funnel (or as much as you need for your heating pad.  Be sure not to make it too heavy or you'll pull a neck muscle when you use it for a headache.  Trust me on this.  I tested it out.)

Step Six: 

Add essential oil.  I chose Lavender.  You can use any scent you want. Next time, I'm going to use peppermint oil for headaches and stuffy noses.  (Note: If you are using doTERRA essential oil, you only need about 3 drops.  Again, trust me on this one.  I tested it out.  I put too much and had to open the bag, pour half of it out, and replace it with unscented rice.  Learn from me, people!)  

Step Seven: 

Sew the bag shut.  I suggest using something to prop up the bag when it's full.  I started out using nothing and realized quickly that the material shifted.  I used the closest thing in proximity to me, a Bible.  It worked great!   You don't have to use a Bible, obviously, but your heating pad may turn out even better if you do *wink*

Step Eight: 

Sniff and enjoy!  I ended up making one for each of my Loves.  I tried to make Hubby's a little masculine but how do you make a homemade heating pad manly?  Baseballs or tractors, I suppose.  

  

I had extra material.  I will pretend it's because I planned it that way but it's actually because I don't really know what I'm doing and had some left over.  I decided to make ice packs, which I call "Boo Boo Packs". Yes, there is one made with the baseball material but trust me, that is NOT Hubby's.  It's just an extra.  I would never make my manly husband anything with the word "Boo Boo" in it.  We have used them several times for actual injuries, as well as fevers.  We love them.  What I really like about them is that they don't melt all over the place.  I did not put any essential oil in them but I'm sure it would be nice to have a calming oil that would help your little one settle down when they think their life is ending because of the pain.  

I want to say thank you to Amanda, who took pics for me, let me use her sewing machine, dealt with my several sewing screw ups and being the cause of her sewing machine malfunctions.  She is very patient and a great teacher.  Thanks, Manda!  Can't wait until Friday when we make wool dryer balls!  

I also want to apologize to any of you who want to make these heating pads and have to use my instructions to do so.  

What have you made lately?  OR, what's on your agenda to make?  

Thanks for stopping by,