When I made my rice bags a few years ago...I made the bag itself out of muslin and then I made a slip-on pillow case out of pretty flannel prints. It is very easy to slip out of the flannel, if one wishes to prior to microwaving. It is also easy to toss the flannel case into the laundry. Got the idea from somebody...it seemed like a good thing to me! Also, thank you to the person who suggested baking the rice. I will try that. We keep our house (over 110 years old and very drafty) cool in the winter. It is not unusual for me to curl up in my recliner with a quilt and rice bag while I'm watching TV.