I have also made a cover for them so I can take it off and wash that part.

Make an inside muslin bag and make "pockets" for the rice if
you want it to stay evenly distributed. If you don't care, or want to have the rice form to a body part, don't make small pockets. The outside cover can be made with fleece or cotton, sewn shut on three sides and velcro'd on one for easy innerds removal. I have used both rice and buckwheat
for fillers. The fleece will give you more of a moist heat.

I was in Bed, Bath, Beyond today, and saw a pair of "slippers" that can be put in the micro for warming, or freezer for cooling
feet! I didn't have my coupons with me, or would have gotten a pair for my daughter who always has cold feet. If I remember
correctly, they were $19.99. The part that warms/cools has to
be removed before washing the slipper, and sounds like a good
gift to me.

We have been making/using these for years. They are excellent for joint/arthritic pain. We use flannel/denim/anything not poly/metallic and fill the bags with wheat. Very comforting in cold weather.

Is fleece safe in the microwave? I thought it was made out of plastic jugs

:?: :?: :?:

I don't know about that, but we've nuked the warmers repeatedly without any trouble at all.

I love this thread. Have made them for years but have gotten many more good ideas here. Thanks everyone!

I have one I bought at a church craft fair and was I glad I did as my eye doctor said I had dry eye. She told me to go home heat it for a minute wrap it with plastic wrap then and warm wet wash cloth put it on my eye for 10 -20 minutes. This would help open up my tear ducts so eyes would make more tears. It's made of white cotton with a flannel cover you can remove for washing and rice in side. I've also used it for sore muscles.

I make mine with corn. I think they stay warm longer than the rice ones I have used.

Here in Australia wheat bags are not welcome in nursing homes as it is usually the staff that heat the bags and what is alright for a younger person is way to hot for an elderly person, their skin is thinner and more prone to scolding, just a word of warning.