Dish Soap Ice Pack

This shows you how to make a dish soap ice pack. This is something I found elsewhere on the internet, but I though I should post it here because I've seen several attempts at making ice packs that didn't seem easy or convenient.

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Step 1: Fill and Chill

Simply fill a sandwich bag 1/2 full of dish soap and chill in the freezer. (Double-bag it to keep it from leaking) Done.

This picture shows Dawn being used, I don't know if other soaps will work in the same way.

Some other things that I didn't state that were brought to my attention:

1. Original website WiseBread.com (For those who asked. The picture is from there too, I hope this doesn't offend anyone).
2. The reason you use dishsoap is that it will get cold and still flex around joints and such.

beadman213 says: Dec 11, 2012. 3:34 PM

Looking for a cooling solution to make an eye mask. Used a dish soap from the dollar store and it froze solid. Don't know if the Dawn brand has different properties. Dawn "original" is harder to find, being replaced by the newer concentrated versions. Going to try to adding alcohol. Might even try adding it to the soap ;)

Chris Bilton says: Dec 9, 2007. 7:45 AM

great! can't wait to get a headache or sooth a black eye, beats a steak any day

whisperonthewind in reply to Chris BiltonAug 27, 2011. 9:01 AM

Eat the steak while you're using the ice pack?

whisperonthewind says: Aug 27, 2011. 9:00 AM

No matter what ironsmiter says, this was a really GOOD instructable for those of us who know that it's all about how to do things cheaply, without having to go out and buy special things. I've always wanted to keep an icepack on hand, because I'm always bumping into things I've left out - especially when I'm wandering the house in the dark at night. I just don't want to spend the money! But I've always got ziploc bags (or the dollar store clones) and I've always got dish soap. It seems that bath gel or liquid hand soap may work just as well, because they're basically the same. Laundry detergent too. So if the bag does break while you're using it, you can just launder the clothing or shower the soap off, no harm.

ironsmiter says: Dec 8, 2007. 6:57 AM

(-) two pictures does not an instructable make :-( Don't think I'd Like this version for use much... seems it would still be mostly frozen water in the bag(and we don't see no double bagging!) Perhaps the gel for dishwashers would work better.... or does anyone know of a secrete ingredient to gel up regular dawn soap?

blksheep (author) in reply to ironsmiterDec 9, 2007. 6:33 AM

I realise that this is a very simple project, but I didn't know that there was a certain criteria for an Instructable. This method is cheap, easy, effective and anyone can do it. I thought that was what DIY and Instructables is all about. If there are things that you think should be added for clarity, let me know.

Ninzerbean in reply to blksheepApr 25, 2010. 3:45 AM

There is only criteria for being featured, obviously from all the really bad 'ibles out there there is no criteria, while I would have loved to have seen your photos and some after freezing photos I am glad you shared this.

frollard in reply to ironsmiterDec 8, 2007. 11:18 AM

gelatin? XD

saites2001 in reply to ironsmiterDec 8, 2007. 10:54 AM

Borax might . . .

AmyLuthien says: Dec 10, 2009. 2:00 PM

Handy! Thanks!

trogabird says: Jul 17, 2008. 8:55 PM

Use pint of green alcohol and pint of water in doubled gallon freezer bags. This works great and will not be as messy if it should break,

starshipminivan says: Dec 9, 2007. 9:08 PM

Using a vacuum sealing system works better than zip top bags. The plastic is much thicker and less likely to rupture at the seams.

frollard says: Dec 7, 2007. 7:17 PM

lack of any 'good' writeup...then again, one of the simplest instructables I've ever seen... why use soap exactly?

blksheep (author) in reply to frollardDec 9, 2007. 6:23 AM

The soap doesn't freeze into a block, so it will be cold and flex around joints or limbs or whatever. I realise that this is almost too simple, but I had seen icepack instructables that required dissolving baby diapers and other things that just seemed messy or too expensive. As far as being a 'good' writeup, I thought that there was enough here to get the point across.

Jack Daniels in reply to frollardDec 8, 2007. 12:31 AM

the sope will still flex i think is what he is still getting at...

BurningApple says: Dec 7, 2007. 6:45 PM

( - ) for not giving credit.

blksheep (author) in reply to BurningAppleDec 9, 2007. 6:17 AM

I believe the website is WiseBread.com, which I think had linked it from somewhere else. But I'm not sure of the original site. Check WiseBread. I'm pretty sure they link to it.

henripro says: Dec 8, 2007. 2:29 PM

I might make a insturctable out of my idea but basicly mix 1/3 achol with water it'll feel like a smoothie when frozen.