Make a great heat pack for a quarter.

Step 6 Cover it up!

Now if you want you can make or find a cloth cover for it from an old sock, teeshirt or pillowcase etc.

Comments

[thriftynursewife]

I love this! I'm using it as we speak! I thik I have acute sinusitis and since its the weekend the doctors office is closed, so I started looking up moist heat packs for home remedies and I came across this! It is really helping with my pressure and tooth aches! Thank you for sharing!

[brabantia]

Cunning plan! I've been looking for something less silly than the gadgets your mom fell for. I'm a bit concerned about using diapers though, it seems they take decades to decompose ...

[sarahfish]

You can also use rice to accomplish the same goal... in fact, I think I'm going to instructable that tonight! Keep an eye out!

[rupamagic]

Yes, a lot of people use rice or millet or flax, which I did for years with decent results. The reason I shared this was that I find this lasts longer and is a bit more comfortable because it is "smooshy-gushy" and soft, as opposed to the grains which all tend to fall down and lump in the lowest point of the sack. I look forward to your instructable!

[worldhq101]

Hey Ms Rupa, what a clever idea ! I have lower back pain a lot and this seems to be just what I need ! You could use this same technique for a cold compress as well couldn't you ? . . . maybe use refrigerator instead of the freezer to keep them pliable. Whq101

[makalove]

I used to be a homebirth midwife, and we would have our clients soak a few large menstrual pads in water and freeze them in a "cupped" shape to use as icepacks perfectly suited to what they needed them for. This worked great and we got lots of thank-yous for the suggestion. Since diapers and most disposable pads have the same gel filling, it should work just as well. They do freeze pretty hard, but leaving it out on the countertop for a little while softens it up enough to be comfortable.

[safyrmwn]

Yes this is an excellent way to make ice packs also. The technique is basically the same except that I use 1 cup distilled water, 1 cup denatured alcohol, and 1 cup liquid dish soap. Freeze instead of microwave. The alcohol and dish soap keep the contents nice and pliable even after being frozen. Stays cold much longer too.

[rupamagic]

Awesome, thanks for the tip!

[rupamagic]

Hello Miss HQ, good to hear from you! You bet it could be used for cold, I haven't tested the cold action much, it does freeze solid but in the fridge could be about right! You be sure to report back if you try it and let us know!