Ice packs are an essential need of every household. They are a cheap and effective means of dealing with strains, and injuries, so it’s essential to keep them at home. Interestingly, making an ice pack at home isn’t difficult at all.
So, if you want to know how to make an ice pack at home, this post will help you make ice packs without needing any special equipment. All you need is a few daily use accessories like plastic zip bags, sponges, rubbing alcohol, etc. And it’s a bonus if you have a good ice maker machine too.
So, let’s get started and learn about some simple ways to make an ice pack at home.
How to Make Water-Based Ice Packs
Contents
Let’s start with the simplest types of ice packs. Water based ice packs require only a freezer, a ziploc bag and some water. Here are a couple of variations.
Rubbing Alcohol Ice Pack
Rubbing alcohol ice pack is known for its extended freezing time. To make an alcohol ice pack, you will need a ziploc bag. Pour two parts water and one part rubbing alcohol in the ziploc bag. Remove excess air from inside the bag and seal it.
Put the bag in the freezer overnight. The addition of alcohol ensures that the bag doesn’t turn completely solid upon freezing. Wrap the bag in a thick cloth or towel before applying it to the skin.
Plain Water Ice Pack
If you don’t have any rubbing alcohol, let’s see how to make ice pack at home without alcohol. Take a ziploc bag and fill it with water. Remove excess air and seal the bag tightly. Place the bag in a freezer and wait until it turns fully solid.
Wrap the bag in a cloth or a towel and apply to the affected injury area.
Frozen Aloe Vera Gel Ice Pack
If you’re wondering how to make gel ice pack at home, then here is a nice variation. Frozen aloe gel ice pack is a nice variation of water- and gel-based ice packs. Take some aloe vera gel and mix it with water. Put the mixture inside a sealable bag and leave it to freeze. Thanks to aloe vera’s soothing properties, it’s an effective remedy for minor burns and skin irritations.
Other Types of Ice Packs
Some other types of ice packs include:
Corn Syrup Ice Pack
Corn syrup ice packs are quite soft and squishy. The best part is that they don’t change texture or shape after freezing. Pour some corn syrup in a ziploc bag and seal it. Freeze the bag for a few hours. Once it’s cold, the bag can be used as an ice pack especially for areas that need more flexibility.
Wet Sponge Ice Pack
Wondering how to make an ice pack at home without a ziploc bag, grab a sponge and get started. Put a clean sponge in running water and make sure it’s thoroughly wet. Freeze the sponge until its’ hard.
Sponge ice packs are great because they don’t leak even once the sponge gains temperature. Moreover, they can be both hard and flexible, based on how cold they are.
Conclusion
Making an ice pack is easier than it seemed. Whether you want to try a flexible gel-based ice pack or a hard one, there are several easy options that you can make with simple ingredients. You can also make ice packs with ice cubes using an ice maker machine.
