How to Make a Gel Ice Pack

Have you ever got injured, and prefered not to a bag of peas of piece of uncooked meat to soothe your pain? Fear no more, this instructable for creating a gel ice pack at home will solve all of your problems!

You will need:

2 Ziploc Freezer Bags
Rubbing Alcohol
Water

Disclaimer: Rubbing Alcohol can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities, and can cause irritation to your eyes. Infants and toddlers can pull a bag over their heads and suffocate when they are unable to get them off. Take careful caution when creating your ice pack, and keep the supplies away from children.

Also, I have found that Ziploc bags work best for the ice pack, sometimes the generic brands are not as strong.

Step 1: Add Water and Rubbing Alcohol

Fill the plastic freezer bag with one cup of rubbing alcohol and 2 cups of water. For a less dense gel, reduce the amount of water to 1 cup.

Step 2: Remove Air

Try to get as much air out of the freezer bag before sealing it shut, then put it inside a second freezer bag – this way there is less chance of a leak.

Step 3: Freezing the Ice Pack

Let the gel pack freeze for  about 2 to three hours. The differences in the freezing points of the rubbing alcohol and water will prevent the solution from freezing and instead give a gel texture. 

Step 4: Additional Notes

If rubbing alcohol is not available, dish washer detergent,  hair gel, corn syrup or salt can also be used in the same proportions.

Comments

[FrancesJ3]

I have several sizes made. They are great. They are so pliable so easy to get them in the position you need them in. Like curved, etc. I will never buy one.

[slshdr94]

Can i ask which additional substance you used that they are very flexible? Rubbing alcohol?

[slshdr94]

Hello,
Thank you for your great instructions to make an ice pack.

You said the same amount for other substances, so i was wondering how much salt should be in a cup ?

And which of substances you recommended makes my ice pack to be most flexible?

[cboliveira]

Why you need to put the alcohol? when you put the alcohol with it takes longer to thaw ?

[natcrazz]

Rubbing alcohol keeps pack from freezing solid. Sometimes for my cooler I do this process with water alone, but if you want an ice pack that is flexible, add the rubbing alcohol.

[fruity-ya-ya]

Might give this a try for my dickie knee. Any tips re getting the first zip-lock bag to fit in the second?

[CarolH82]

Yes, put the small filled bag into a larger sized bag.

[bluefuzzything]

I made mine in a quart sized bag, cut an old towel to fit so it would completely wrap, then put the whole thing in a gallon bag. I have a Seal a Meal type thing, so I was able to cut/seal the outer bag pretty snugly, so the towel won't come unwrapped

[stacionline]

I'm confused, where does the Dawn come in?

[ChantleS]

the dawn is just a subittude if you couldn't get your hands on any rubbing alcohol

[jmwells]

You can get a lot of air out of the bags by slowly immersing them in a sink full of water. Start with the bag mostly closed, lower it in, the water pressure uniformly squeezes the bag.