How to Make a DIY Rice Heating Pad (Easy Sewing Tutorial)

These DIY rice heating packs are the perfect way to warm yourself up on a drafty day, heat up your bed before crawling into it at night, or soothe menstrual cramps or sore muscles. And the best part is that they’re a super easy project that only takes about 15 minutes to make (they make great gifts, too!). 

If you have basic sewing skills, a few cups of rice, and a small piece of fabric, you can make a rice pack in just a few minutes. (And if sewing sounds intimidating, you can also opt for a quick, no-sew rice sock!)

In the past few weeks, our young daughter has started her own little sewing business making and selling these rice heat pads, and they are going fast! For good reason! In the midwest where we live, the chillier days are causing everyone to look for simple and cozy ways to warm up, and a reusable heating pad fits the bill perfectly! 

I hope this easy tutorial is as enjoyable for you as it has been for us! 

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Why We Love Homemade Rice Heating Pads

As a kid, as soon as I learned to sew, our home was filled with these easy microwave heating pads – and we used them constantly! Now, with a roaring wood stove in our living room, I don’t pull them out quite as much. But just last night my husband left on a hunting trip, and the first thing I reached for was a rice bag to warm up the bed without him there. 

Here are a few reasons why we love these little bags (and why my daughter has been selling dozens of them!).

• Reusable and easy to warm. You can use a rice bag dozens and dozens of times with no worry of having to charge them or plug them in. Just pop one in the microwave for about 2 minutes or in the crock pot on low for 30-60 minutes. They tend to hold heat for at least 30-45 minutes – plenty of time to warm up! 
• Small and personal. Unlike a big electric blanket or electric heating pad that has to stay plugged in, rice bags are easy to carry around, stick in your sweatshirt pocket on a cold day, or plop by your feet in bed. 
• Customizable. Whether you’re making one for yourself or as a gift, it’s always fun to choose the perfect fabric (we use a 12″ x 13″ piece of cotton fabric, so even scraps often work!).
• Quick sewing project. It takes about 15 minutes to sew a rice bag (or less if you’re batching them!). It’s a great way to learn how to make a useful project if you’re a beginner. Plus, they are super forgiving (my favorite type of project to sew!). 
• Perfect for muscle tension and pain relief. Besides warming up, another favorite use for rice bags is to provide quick relief for sore muscles or menstrual cramps. (I always pull one out for home births, too!). They’re great for improving blood flow and helping with all sorts of pain relief. 

Optional No-Sew Method – Try a Rice Sock

If you’re not a sewer, you can still make your own heating pad using rice and a tube sock! 

Simply take a long, clean, old sock and fill it with rice. Be careful to only fill about 1/2 – 3/4 full, or else it will not be flexible enough to have any drape. Tie a knot in the end. 

Warm in the microwave for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. (They can get hot quickly, so be careful!) 

How Much Does It Cost to Make a DIY Rice Heating Pad?

The cost of these rice microwavable heating pads is about $1.00 – $1.50 each if you buy new fabric. However, they’re a perfect way to get use up scrap fabric if you want to make them even more inexpensive.

I’ve found the best deals on rice on Amazon and at Walmart. Each rice bag takes approximately 2lbs of rice. 

Supplies You’ll Need 

Here’s what you’ll need to make your rice bag:

• Sewing machine
• Thread
• 12″ x 13″ piece of cotton fabric (if buying new, a 1-foot piece of fabric will make 3 rice bags)
• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter 
• A few straight pins
• 4-5 cups (~2 lbs) of uncooked rice

(Note: There’s no “right size” for these rice bags. Feel free to use different sizes of fabric pieces. This is just what we tend to like!)

How to Make a DIY Rice Heating Pad

1. To make your rice bag, start by cutting a piece of fabric to 12″ by 13″. These bags are quite forgiving. (I usually just eyeball it!) 
2. Next, fold the fabric in half longwise, with the right sides of the fabric together, and pin in a few places. 
   
3. Sew down one short side and the long side of your rice bag, leaving one short side open at the top of the bag. I use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
   
4. Turn the bag right side out. 
5. Pour 4-5 cups of white rice in the open end. (You can use a kitchen funnel if needed.)
   
6. Without spilling the rice, carefully fold the top edge in about 1/2″, so the raw edge isn’t showing. Sew straight across this top edge to seal your rice heat pad. (This is the only seam you’ll be able to see from the outside.
   

How to Use a Homemade Rice Heating Bag

To warm your rice heat pack, microwave for 1-2 minutes or set in a crock pot on low for 30-60 minutes. 

If you use a microwave, be careful because they can heat up quickly and become quite hot to the touch.

Drape across a sore neck, hold on aching muscles, or place in your bed to warm it up before climbing in for the night. 

FAQs About Making Rice Heating Bags

What type of fabric is best for a rice heating bag? 

100% cotton is the safest type of fabric for making a microwavable rice heating pad. Linen is another good option. Other synthetic materials are not safe for warming in the microwave. 

What type of rice is best for making a rice heat pack?

Plain white rice or jasmine rice is best for making rice heat packs. Brown rice can also work, but the oils in the rice may cause it to go rancid over time and have an unpleasant smell. 

​This rice bag pattern uses about 4-5 cups of uncooked rice in order to fill the bag.

Do rice bags go bad?

​It is possible for a rice bag to go bad if it’s overheated too many times. If you notice browning on your fabric or a burning smell, you’re probably heating it too high or for too long. 

How much rice do you put in a heating pad?

It’s best to fill your rice heating bag about 3/4 of the way full or less. Otherwise, it will be quite stiff and not as moldable for draping over sore areas. 

​For this pattern, we use 4-5 cups of white rice per bag.