How to Make Microwave Heat Bags to Help With Pain

You can pack your bag with a variety of materials and there are pros and cons to each one. Here are just some of the fillings commonly used in these bags:

Fillings To Avoid

Buckwheat is typically the most expensive choice, while peas and beans will leave you with a kind of odd (and usually unpleasant) smell once they're warmed up. Flaxseed, even if it's dried, will start to smell odd after a while, too, because the oil in the seeds eventually becomes rancid with repeated heating. Clay beads and cherry pits just don't seem to hold the heat very well.

Fillings To Love

Dried corn and rice are usually the most popular options. They both smell nice, are cheap, and work very well at retaining heat. They also tend to feel the best. Cherry pits or clay beads can be a great option to add to rice or corn, or you can add various dries flowers or essential oils to get a pleasant scent.

Any soft fabric that can take the heat of the microwave will work as the bag for your filling. If you don't want to spend money, you can repurpose old (clean) socks, use old sheets or pillowcases, or find some old flannel you have lying around. Anything made of cotton works very well.

A white or other very light cover might not be the best choice for the simple reason that it shows stains. This includes not just stains on the outside but also inner burn stains if you accidentally overheat the bag a few times. In general, fabric is cheap, so getting something pretty that you'll enjoy is not going to be too expensive.

While you don't technically need a sleeve, it's a nice thing to have. The benefit of a sleeve is that it helps the bag retain heat for longer while protecting you from burns. Sleeves also extend the life of your microwave heat bag by protecting the shell. The sleeve can be any material you like, from wool to flannel to jersey, since you don't have to worry about whether it can handle the microwaving. Just remove the sleeve to heat up the bag.

The final thing to do is decide how big your bag should be. Most homemade microwave heat bags are about the size of a washcloth, but you certainly might want to do something larger if you plan on using the bag to heat up a bed or for use across the back.

1. Cut two pieces of shell fabric to the size you want. One side should be a centimeter or two larger than the other so it can be folded over to seal the seams.

2. Fold the larger piece's ends over the smaller and sew up three of the sides. Be sure to keep your rough ends on the side of the material you want facing the inside once you're done.

3. Fill the bag between two-thirds and three-quarters of the way full with your filler material.
4. Sew up the final side.

For the sleeve, your square or rectangle of fabric should be an inch more than twice as large as the fabric pieces you used for the shell.

1. Fold the fabric in half and sew up two of the sides and one end.
   
   
2. Slide your bag into the sleeve to test it. If there's too much room, sew up a centimeter or two of the last end until you're happy with the way the bag stays in the sleeve. Always leave room to get the bag back out.

You should always test your bag to make sure you know the ideal amount of warming times for it. Put it in the microwave with a mug of water and heat it for no more than 30 seconds at a time. Check after each 15-30 second interval. When it reaches the desired heat level, make sure to note how much your bag needs. If you smell any burning, stop the microwave immediately.