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A rice sock is a homemade heating pad that you can quickly heat in the microwave. Once warm, you can apply the rice sock to different areas of your body to treat pains, aches, chills, and some other ailments. The key to making a rice sock is to use a cotton sock that won’t burn or melt when it’s heated, and to knot the sock so you can replace the filling as needed.
Making a Rice Sock Heating Pad
- Wrap the cuff of a sock around the rim of a glass.
- Fill the sock with uncooked rice until it’s 3/4 full.
- Tie a knot at the top of the sock to keep the rice inside.
- Put the sock in the microwave and heat it on high for one minute.
Steps
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Pick an appropriate sock. For a smaller heating pad , use a mid-calf sock. For a larger heating pad, use an over the calf or knee sock. Use a sock that’s 100% cotton. Choose a thick sock with a tight weave to protect your skin from the hot rice and to prevent the rice from seeping out.- It’s important to use cotton, because it won’t burn or melt in the microwave.
- Make sure the sock material doesn’t have metal threads in it, such as silver or copper, as these can ignite in the microwave.
- Don’t use socks that have holes, as the rice will fall out.
- For a larger homemade heating pad, use a small pillowcase instead of a sock.
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Place the sock inside a tall glass. Using a cup as a holder for the sock will make it easier to fill the sock with rice. Insert the sock into a tall glass. Wrap the cuff of the sock around the rim of the glass to open the sock, just like you do with a garbage bag around the rim of the can. [1] X Research source- If the sock keeps slipping off the rim of the glass, use an elastic to keep the cuff in place.
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Fill the sock three-quarters full with uncooked rice. Don’t use instant rice or minute rice, as these are precooked and will be more prone to mold. You could need anywhere between 4 to 6 cups (780 g to 1.17 kg) of rice, depending on the size of the sock. Leave a quarter of the sock empty so you can tie a knot in the top. In place of rice, you can also use other dry grains, such as:
- Beans
- Barley
- Flaxseed
- Whole corn (not popping)
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Add aromatics if you like. Aromatics will help the rice smell nice when you heat it up. Simply our or sprinkle the aromatics in with the rice. Aromatics you can add include:
- Five to 10 drops of essential oils
- Herbal tea
- Dried lavender flowers
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Tie a knot at the top of the sock. Hold the sock cuff and carefully remove the sock from the glass. Twist the cuff closed to prevent the rice from falling out. Shake the rice around inside to spread it out evenly throughout the sock. Tie the top of the sock into a knot to keep the rice inside. [2] X Research source
- Tying a knot instead of sewing the sock together allows you to change the filling as it becomes old and stale-smelling.
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Replace the rice as necessary. Over time, the rice inside the bag may begin to smell stale or burnt. When this happens, untie the sock, dump out the rice, and refill the sock with fresh rice. This will prevent fire hazards, and keep your rice sock from stinking up the house every time you use it.
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Heat the rice sock in the microwave. The fastest and easiest way to heat a rice sock is in the microwave . Place the rice sock in the microwave with a cup of water and heat it on high for one minute. Carefully remove the sock and feel it in multiple spots to test the heat level. Return the sock to the microwave for another 30 seconds if you still want it hotter.
- Be very careful when you remove the sock from the microwave, as it will be extremely hot.
- The water will add moisture to the air inside the microwave, and prevent the fabric or rice from getting scorched. [3] X Research source
- Turn off the microwave immediately if you smell burning. [4] X Research source Use an oven mitt or pot holder to remove the rice sock.
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Warm it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 300 F (149 C). Place the rice in a deep baking dish or casserole dish. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil. Fill an oven-proof dish or bowl with water. When the oven is at temperature, place the casserole dish on the top rack and the bowl of water on the rack below. Check the temperature of the rice sock after 20 minutes. Heat for another 10 minutes if necessary.- The water in the oven will help to keep the air moist and prevent the rice or the fabric from scorching.
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Place it on a radiator. In wintertime, you can heat your rice sock on a radiator if your house has them. Wrap the rice sock in a sheet of aluminum foil. Place the sock on the radiator and let it heat up for 30 minutes to an hour. Turn the sock every 10 minutes to ensure even heating. -
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Treat muscle pain and stress. Heated rice socks are ideal for soothing muscles that are sore or stiff from work, stress, or mild strain. Heat the rice sock to your desired temperature. Feel the bag to ensure there are no hot spots. Lay the sock directly on your sore muscle and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. [6] X Research source
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Keep warm. A hot rice sock is a great way to get warm when you’ve got a chill, are cold from being outside, or when your house just isn't cozy enough. [7] X Research source For cold feet, heat the sock, lay the rice sock on the floor, and sit with your feet propped up on the sock. For overall chills, heat the sock, place it in your lap, and sit with a blanket around you.- You can also place a heated rice sock in your bed at night to stay warm as you fall asleep.
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Provide relief from aches, pains, and cramps. When you're tired, sick, or sore, joint aches and pains are common. Place a heated rice sock on the affected area, such as around your neck, for 20 to 25 minutes to treat aches and pains. For menstrual cramps , lay down on your back and lay a heated rice sock on your abdomen for 30 minutes. -
Get relief from a headache. Headaches , migraines, sinus pressure , and other ailments affecting the head and face can sometimes be treated with heating pads. [8] X Research source Lay on your back and place a warm rice sock on your forehead or face for relief. Alternatively, you can also lay with your head on the rice sock, as though it were a pillow. -
Soothe with arthritis pain. Arthritis pain is often helped with heat, and a rice sock is a great way to apply this heat. Warm the rice sock and apply it to aching joints for 20 minutes at a time. [9] X Trustworthy Source Arthritis Foundation Main organization devoted to arthritis support and education Go to source
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Tips
- You can also use a rice sock to keep food warm. Make a heat pack by filling a clean sock with rice and microwaving it for 2 to 3 minutes. Store the heat pack with containers of a hot dish to keep the food warm.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Put your heated rice bag under the covers for 10 minutes before going to sleep!
- Do not use a sock that has elastic in it—it’s not microwave safe.
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Warnings
- Never use a rice sock on an infant or a person who is sleeping, paralyzed, or taking medication that causes numbness. They won’t be able to feel or move the rice sock and could be burned.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.skinacea.com/how-to/rice-sock-warm-compress.html#.WQieJ8a1uM8
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2yln_8frcE
- ↑ https://unsophisticook.com/rice-heating-pad/
- ↑ https://tiphero.com/diy-heating-pad
- ↑ https://unsophisticook.com/rice-heating-pad/
- ↑ https://www.painscience.com/articles/ice-heat-confusion.php
- ↑ https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-heating-pad/
- ↑ https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-heating-pad/
- ↑ https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/other-therapies/heat-cold-pain-relief.php
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To make a rice sock, you'll need a 100% cotton sock without any metal or synthetic materials in it so it doesn't burn in the microwave. Open the sock and fill it ¾ of the way with uncooked rice. Then, tie the empty part of the sock into a knot to secure it, or tie a piece of string around the end of the sock. Microwave the sock on high for 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on it while it heats in case it starts smoking. Let the sock cool for 10-20 seconds, then take it out of the microwave and apply it to your sore muscles for relief. Reheat the rice sock after it cools if you’d like. If you want to learn how to freeze the rice to make a cold pack, keep reading the article!
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Reader Success Stories
- "My daughter had a painful bruise, and I thought making a rice sock might help her feel better. This article helped me make a little heating pad for her quickly, which was very nice, as she was whimpering like a puppy the whole time!" ..." more
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"My daughter had a painful bruise, and I thought making a rice sock might help her feel better. This article helped me make a little heating pad for her quickly, which was very nice, as she was whimpering like a puppy the whole time!"
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"I am currently a one-armed (injured) bandit following endoscopic conscious sedation. Budget and current physical restraints makes this article ingenious and invaluable to me right now. Thank you so very much!"
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"It told me how long to safely heat it, which I had no clue about, and to use a cotton sock, which I should have figured out myself but really didn't think of. My aching arthritic jaw thanks you!"
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"The photos were clean and simple to go right along with the simple instructions. Wonderful and practical idea for everyone to incorporate into their home so it is readily available when needed."
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"A friend of mine made a pouch with rice and I am using it on my total knee replacement. Works like a charm! And now I see that I can also freeze the rice bag. Will help with swelling."
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