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Homemade ice pack: three easy ways to make one and how to use it safely
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- Heavy duty double zipper freezer bags. Best for: Making slush packs or crushed ice packs that do not leak. See options on Amazon
- Refillable cloth ice bag. Best for: People who prefer real ice without a dripping plastic bag. See options on Amazon
- Fabric ice pack cover or sleeve. Best for: Anyone using frozen peas or a homemade bag. See options on Amazon
Method 1: crushed or cubed ice in a bag
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust describes the basic version. You need a plastic bag without holes, crushed or cubed ice, and a small towel, tea towel or cloth.
- Put the ice in the bag.
- Squeeze out the air and seal it tightly.
- Dampen the cloth and lay it over the sore area.
- Place the bag on the damp cloth and hold it in place with your hands or a bandage.
Crushed ice molds better than whole cubes. As it melts, swap in fresh ice and dry the area.
Method 2: a bag of frozen peas
A bag of frozen peas or other small vegetables is the classic homemade ice pack, and both the Gloucestershire Hospitals leaflet and the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board guidance on using ice safely list it. The small pieces shape themselves around a knee, ankle or wrist.
Gloucestershire Hospitals suggests keeping one bag in the freezer just for this purpose. Mark it so nobody cooks it after it has been thawed and refrozen a few times.
Method 3: the rubbing alcohol slush pack
This is the homemade version of a gel pack. Adding rubbing alcohol to the water keeps the frozen mix softer than plain ice, so it bends around joints. The Guard Your Health guide from the Army National Guard Chief Surgeon's Office gives this recipe:
- Mix three cups of water with one cup of rubbing alcohol in a sealable freezer bag.
- Freeze it.
- Wrap the pack in a towel so it will not freeze your skin.
- Apply for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
Use a sturdy freezer bag and consider sealing it inside a second bag. A leak means a puddle of alcohol slush on your skin and furniture.
Safety for the alcohol recipe
Poison Control (the National Capital Poison Center) notes that it is not uncommon for children to swallow rubbing alcohol, and that isopropyl alcohol is extremely irritating to the digestive tract. It advises always keeping rubbing alcohol stored up and out of reach of children, and never transferring it from its original bottle to another container.
A slush pack is, in effect, alcohol moved into a new container. So:
- Write "ice pack, not food, contains rubbing alcohol" on the bag in marker.
- Store it away from frozen treats children reach for.
- Throw it away if the bag tears.
- If someone swallows some, contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222.
Homemade vs store bought
| Option | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed ice in a bag | Fresh injuries, right now | Melts and drips |
| Frozen peas | Molding around joints | Needs holding in place |
| Rubbing alcohol slush pack | A reusable soft pack | Leak and child safety risks |
| Store bought gel pack | Daily use, straps and covers | Must be bought |
If you would rather buy one, our gel ice packs and instant ice pack guides explain the options.
How to use any homemade ice pack
- Always use a cloth layer. The Aneurin Bevan guidance says to wrap ice in a damp tea towel to avoid damage to your skin.
- Keep it short. The Army National Guard guide says 10 to 20 minutes. The Aneurin Bevan guidance is more cautious at up to 10 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.
- Use ice early. The Army National Guard guide notes ice is especially useful in the first 48 hours after an injury.
- Know who should skip it. The Aneurin Bevan guidance says not to use ice with Raynaud's disease, poor circulation, hypersensitivity to cold, poor sensation or numb skin (especially with diabetes), or over broken skin or infection.
- Get care when needed. The Army National Guard guide says to seek medical care if you cannot move the injured part, it is not improving, or you have an open wound.
What to look for when you buy
Heavy duty double zipper freezer bags
Best for: Making slush packs or crushed ice packs that do not leak
The Army National Guard recipe calls for a sealable freezer bag, and a sturdy double seal lowers the chance of leaks.
Watch out: Double bag alcohol slush packs and label them clearly.
See options on AmazonRefillable cloth ice bag
Best for: People who prefer real ice without a dripping plastic bag
It holds crushed or cubed ice, the simplest homemade pack described by Gloucestershire Hospitals, in a cloth outer layer.
Watch out: Still check your skin and keep sessions short.
See options on AmazonFabric ice pack cover or sleeve
Best for: Anyone using frozen peas or a homemade bag
A cover gives you the cloth barrier the NHS leaflets and the Army National Guard guide recommend, without hunting for a tea towel.
Watch out: Thin covers still let intense cold through. Check the skin early.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- How do you make a homemade gel ice pack?
- The Army National Guard guide mixes three cups of water with one cup of rubbing alcohol in a sealable freezer bag, then freezes it into a soft slush.
- Why does rubbing alcohol keep an ice pack soft?
- Alcohol freezes at a much lower temperature than water, so the mix stays slushy in a home freezer instead of setting into a hard block.
- Is a bag of frozen peas a good ice pack?
- Yes. Gloucestershire Hospitals and the Aneurin Bevan guidance both list frozen peas or vegetables. Wrap the bag in a damp tea towel first.
- How long should I leave a homemade ice pack on?
- The Army National Guard guide says 10 to 20 minutes at a time. The Aneurin Bevan guidance suggests up to 10 minutes.
- Is a rubbing alcohol ice pack safe around kids?
- Keep it out of reach and labeled. Poison Control says children do sometimes swallow rubbing alcohol and that it irritates the digestive tract.
Sources
- How to Make Your Own Ice Packs and Heat Packs (airforcemedicine.af.mil), Guard Your Health, Army National Guard Chief Surgeon's Office (via U.S. Air Force Medical Service)
- No, you can't drink rubbing alcohol (poison.org), Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center)
- Ice and heat treatment (gloshospitals.nhs.uk), Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Using Ice Safely (movebettergwent.nhs.wales), Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (NHS Wales)