{"id":1817,"date":"2009-02-01T09:03:53","date_gmt":"2009-02-01T09:03:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/?p=3970"},"modified":"2024-08-12T10:33:42","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T10:33:42","slug":"homemade-heat-pack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/homemade-heat-pack\/","title":{"rendered":"Homemade Heat Pack"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Homemade microwave heat packs are great for aches and pains, headaches, tired eyes, or just to pamper yourself after a long day! They are great for gifts because they are really QUICK and EASY to make as well as cheap to fill! Now you can make a heat pack lizzard to lounge on your shoulders!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Meet Gertie GECKO!!!<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3971\" style=\"border: 1px solid #A8A5A9; padding: 4px;\" title=\"Animal-heat-pack-LARGE\" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Animal-heat-pack-LARGE.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"149\"><\/h3>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #800080;\" title=\"Gertie the Gecko HEAT PACK Pattern\" href=\"https:\/\/www.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/products\/instant-downloads\/gertie-the-gecko-heat-pack-sewing-pattern-instant-download\">GECKO Heat Pack Pattern Product Page&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/strong><\/span><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #4a7d0c;\"><br class=\"clear\">Here on this page you will find &#8211;<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>instructions on how to use your Gertie Gecko Wheat Pack in the microwave<\/strong>,<\/li>\n<li>other <strong>fillings<\/strong> you could use for you heat pack,<\/li>\n<li><strong>alternative fabrics <\/strong>to use,<\/li>\n<li><strong>ADDING fragrances to your heat pack<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>and <strong>some tips<\/strong> from others who have made Gertie Heat Pack.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-25487 \" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/geck-toy-pattern.jpg\" alt=\"gecko-toy-pattern\" width=\"445\" height=\"265\"><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #4a7d0c;\">1. HEATING DIRECTIONS for heating a Microwave Heat Pack:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Microwave on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes (depending on the Power of your Microwave oven). Never leave it unattended &#8211; \u201cjust in case\u201d the filling smokes or catches on fire. As a precaution you can set a cup of water inside the microwave while heating the bag to add moisture.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>***Caution \u2013 be careful not to burn yourself!***<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong> Microwave ovens vary tremendously in their power settings and the heat pack may be much hotter than you think. Be careful when removing it from the microwave and applying it to the body. Make sure it\u2019s not too hot and won\u2019t burn, especially when using for a child. (Wheat Bags are only recommended as suitable for ages 3 years and older.) It is not recommend to take a Heat Bag to bed as a heating device. Overheated Wheat Bags have the possibility of catching fire when placed under bedding where heat cannot escape.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25486\" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/Gecko-animal-heatpack-sewing-pattern-Lyn.jpg\" alt=\"Gecko-animal-heatpack-sewing-pattern-Lyn\" width=\"276\" height=\"370\"><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #4a7d0c;\">2. FILLING your Heat Bag:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can use so many different things to fill them and all are available at your local food store or health shop. I like wheat, but you can try:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Wheat<\/li>\n<li>Uncooked rice<\/li>\n<li>Feed corn<\/li>\n<li>Buckwheat hulls<\/li>\n<li>Barley Beans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-25485\" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/Gecko-animal-heatpack-sewing-pattern-download.jpg\" alt=\"Gecko animal heatpack sewing pattern\" width=\"475\" height=\"356\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #4a7d0c;\">3. FABRICS to Use for your Heat Pack:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I use fleece for my Gertie Heat Pad. I searched the Internet for hours to see if it was dangerous to put fleece in the microwave. All I found was lots and lots of polar fleece products &#8211; slippers, heat packs, dog beds, mouse sleeping bags (!) etc that are heated in the microwave, and NOT one warning about doing this, so I think it is safe. If you are concerned, please use 100% cotton fleece or any other 100% cotton fabric, for peace of mind.<\/p>\n<p>(Try and use STRETCH fabrics that won\u2019t fray. They will make it easy to turn you Gecko\u2019s toes right sides out and won\u2019t fall apart at the seams after lots of use.) You can try these materials:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fleece<\/li>\n<li>Stretch Cottons<\/li>\n<li>Flannels<\/li>\n<li>Thin Stretch Denims<\/li>\n<li>Towelling<\/li>\n<li>Velour knits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25482\" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/gecko-toy-sewing-pattern.jpg\" alt=\"gecko-toy-sewing-pattern\" width=\"520\" height=\"390\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #4a7d0c;\">4. Adding FRAGRANCE:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You can also add Herbs, Spices and dried flowers to your filling for a soothing fragrant heating pad. Everyone\u2019s tastes are different so choose a scent that you find soothing, but the most common ones are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lavender (dried flowers)<\/li>\n<li>Rose petals(dried)<\/li>\n<li>Cinnamon<\/li>\n<li>Cloves<\/li>\n<li>Nutmeg<\/li>\n<li>Rosemary (dried)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-25484\" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/Gecko-Maryanne-Dodson-embroidered-Gecko-for-magazine-submission..jpg\" alt=\"Gecko-Maryanne Dodson embroidered Gecko for magazine submission.\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #4a7d0c;\">5. Some Feedback tips from others:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Hi I made Gertie the lizard with his perky pink bow and i even put a smile on his dial. I get funny looks as i walk round town with him [and his lovely warmth] on my shoulder or comments as i sit in the library with him perched wherever i hurt that particular day [i live with chronic pain syndrome] He has even been reheated at a couple of stores that i found have micros for warming your lunch!! Thankyou so much, the pattern has been a godsend. <strong>Sandee<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-25483\" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/Gecko-FB-Melissa.jpg\" alt=\"Gecko - FB Melissa\" width=\"224\" height=\"298\"><\/p>\n<p>Hi Pauline<br \/>\njust a few tips you may like to pass along. I live in 24\/7&nbsp; pain and I use wheat bags all the time [at least for the last 10 years] I\u2019ve never had a problem with fleece but I find it loses the heat quickly so it is best to line the heat pack.<br \/>\nAnother tip, if your new heat bag takes 3 mins to get to temp do\u2019nt assume it always will &#8211; I find after a few uses the bag takes a shorter time to heat. (My big head one took 3.5 mins to heat now it only takes 1.2 to get to the same temp, that,s why you don&#8217;t walk away while heating!)<br \/>\nAlso it may be worth making Gertie a blankie &#8211; I found if you can cover the exposed parts with a tea towel, jumper, towel or whatever is at hand you can make your heat bag last twice or three times as long, (my head one last 20 mins but 2 hours with a cover) <strong> Kind regards San&#8217;s<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-25490\" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/Gertie-Christine-L.jpg\" alt=\"Gertie-Christine-L\" width=\"331\" height=\"248\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/products\/instant-downloads\/gertie-the-gecko-heat-pack-sewing-pattern-instant-download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Gecko HEAT PACK Sewing Pattern PDF<\/span><\/strong><\/a> is available from the website as an Instant Download Pattern or you can order a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/patterns\/gertie-gecko-heat-pack-printed-pattern\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Printed Gecko Heat Pack&nbsp; PATTERN&gt;&gt;<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: left;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<h1>Please drop me a comment with YOUR Homemade Heat Pack tips!<\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-4105\" title=\"Teddy-bear-rings\" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/Teddy-bear-rings-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>B<\/strong><strong>ye for now,<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pauline<\/strong><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7878\" src=\"https:\/\/manage.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/white-spacer-SMALL.jpg\" alt=\"white-spacer-SMALL\" width=\"10\" height=\"10\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Homemade microwave heat packs are great for aches and pains, headaches, tired eyes, or just to pamper yourself after a long day! They are great for gifts because they are really QUICK and EASY to make as well as cheap to fill! Now you can make a heat pack lizzard to lounge on your shoulders! [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18,19,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a-day-in-my-life","category-blog","category-tips-tricks"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1817"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1817\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34315,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1817\/revisions\/34315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.funkyfriendsfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}