Wouldn't it feel nice and soothing to have a warm pillow on the back of your neck after a hard day at work? Or how about some heat therapy on that knee you messed up a few years ago that flares up every now and then? You can make yourself a pillow that will comfort those sore aching spots with heat. It cuddles that sore spot better than a heating pad.
Now, on to the heat part. Place the pillow in the microwave and heat for twenty seconds. If that doesn't feel warm enough for you try a few more seconds. Now place the pillow on your aching spot. Doesn't that feel good? You can hold it in place with the handles or tie the handles together with another chord. The rice holds the heat and surrounds the area unlike a heating pad that just touches the top surfaces. You can even safely go to bed with this. By the time the rice cools you'll be fast asleep and don't have to worry about turning off the heating pad.
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After being approached numerous times at mall kiosks to try one of those small, filled "tension relief" pads (pillows) I decided to make my own.
Herbal Cozy. Here is a great tip I found that was shared on a website I found this week. Basically this is an pillow filled with rice and herbs. You put it in the microwave for 2 minutes or less for warmth and heat, or throw it in the freezer to ease injuries, or for headaches.
If you have children with frequent earaches, here is a great tip: Get a clean sock and fill with 1/2 cup or so of regular white rice. Make a knot just above the rice leaving a bit of "wiggle room". Just put in the microwave for about 30 - 40 seconds at med-high, testing periodically for comfort.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have a friend that microwaved my neck pillow too long (3 minutes). The pillow was filled with rice. The rice burned and oozed out of the fabric enclosure. Does anyone know of a filler that will take a lot of heat and retain that heat. Any information certainly will be appreciated. Thank you.
You can also fill it with buck wheat. You can get it from a whole food or natural store. You can Freeze it or Heat it. Just remember to heat it at 1 min at a time, after each minute move it around.
Corn, you can get a 50 lb bag at Bass pro shop, wal-mart or a feed store for about $5.00-10.00 Put it in the microwave for about 3 min the first time to kill any "boll weevils" and 2 min each time you heat it up from then on. You don't want to cook it any longer because once you burn it you can't get the smell out. I make a pillow with the corn sewn in and then pillow cases of different materials. The pillows are about 10x12 inches which are nice for your tummy or back. A neck roll is nice too. If you hold it to your body it can stay warm almost all night long. My corn pillow is one of my favorite things in the world.
Why not start over with rice?
Flax seed works and they put in lavender and other herbs to make it smell good too.
Plain Pot Barley - you can get it at any bulk store. Cheap and doesn't hurt it when overheated. Holds the heat longer than rice as well!
I have heard flax seed or bird seed.
We used dried beans. Any kind works. Have used ours for years and you can empty it wash and refill it.
I have made herb pillows for friends and family for quite a few years. My daughters friends are always asking for them. I always use flax. It is easier on your neck than corn, or beans, etc. Rice can either burn or mold easily. I buy my flax seed in bulk and add dried rose petals, lavender, different oils, etc. I leave the Ziploc bag, sealed, for 3-4 months. I always have some going. It smells pretty strong at first but after a bit, it calms down.
Can you use synthetic stretch toweling for making rice bags, that you heat in the microwave?
By verna from Melbourne
No it's not safe, good luck.
Ditto what kffrmw88 said. It isn't safe, they prob would melt or start a fire. Plus they wouldn't retain the heat for your pack as well. I think all of the commercial ones for sale I have seen are 100% cotton.
This doesn't address the fabric issue but has a few safety tips on it:
www.diamondthreadworks.com/
And don't leave them heating unattended etc.
I've used plain muslin when I make mine, and I'll make a cute cover (think mini-pillowcase) out of cotton flannel.
I use flannel. I would think what your talking about might melt.
I use old T-shirt fabric, myself. I've never had a problem with it. :)
Only use fabric that is 100% cotton. You can make them using old jeans, shirts, sheets, etc.
Hi. I use fleece and have sold hundreds of them. I make them 12 inches by 12 inches and when you heat them 2-3 minutes you get a moist heat. My people that buy them come back year after year to buy more. Good luck.
I bought a linen fabric with 50% linen and 50% rayon. Could I use it to make rice bags?
By Marina L.
This type of fabric ravels easily. If you blind stitch it you could probably use it. That is, stitch 1/2 way between the stitching line with fabric on the right side out, then turn the fabric inside out and stitch on the stitching line. This will keep all raw edges enclosed. This will help to keep it from raveling.
If these are the type of bags you heat up to use as pain relief, I would be leery of the rayon content. it may melt or catch fire. I would stick to all cotton or all linen just to be safe.
I've made these for years. Kids love them. I keep one in the freezer and one at room temperature. The cold ones are great for minor injuries. I use flannel fabric so it won't melt. Also you can use cracked corn as a filler. You can find it at feed stores. Can you use a different fabric?
By jilled
I mistakenly hit 33 minutes instead of 3 minutes in the microwave. It didn't catch fire, but, smelled BAD. I agree, to not use rayon nor any synthetic fabric. I have bought tube socks, filled one of the pair with rice about 2/3s full and sew it closed.
The other sock can be used as a removable cover for laundering. I turn the second sock wrong side out, I snip the toe on the right and left side just 5" elastic inside leaving ends poking out of each slit and sew them down. Turn the sock.
On the other end of the 'cover' sock, sew another length of elastic to each side as you did the other end. Slide the empty sock over the rice filled sock.
I have also cut a plastic (saved from bacon package insert) stencil with words "Hot Sock" and mixed fabric medium with red acrylic paint and applied the words to the outer sock! These sold for $12. Assembly line is the best way to handle many which I do several at a time for gifts. Important: The elastic helps hold it in place around your head for a headache or around a knee.
