How to Make a Heating Pad Smell Good

Heating pads are commonly used for muscular aches and pains. These pads produce gentle, soothing heat. Heat helps to relax muscles and calm joints. Often, a heating pad is used as a means to chase away the chill in elderly and inactive people. Sometimes heating pads are a source of unpleasant odors. Because these devices use electrical power to produce heat, special care is needed when removing odors and cleaning them.

Things You'll Need

• heating pad cover
• cotton cloth
• scented oil
• cotton balls

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Instructions

Freshen Up

• 1

  Keep your heating pad out of direct contact with your skin. This precaution is important in preventing burns, as well as keeping the pad clean. Most pads come with a removable cover. Use a clean cotton cloth in addition to this cover. Place the cloth between the body and the heating pad. Change these cloths often.

• 2

  Launder the pad's cover. Remove the cover and wash according to instructions, if provided. Most covers can be washed in warm, soapy water. Hang up to dry. Drying in the sun may help remove stubborn spots and add an element of freshness to the cover.

• 3

  Wipe the pad with a damp, not wet, washcloth to remove spots or odors. Occasionally, sweat and other fluids may penetrate the clean cloth and the cover. The electrical heating elements in the pad are covered by a moisture-resistant plastic case. It may be necessary to clean the plastic case if it becomes soiled. Make sure the pad is unplugged before cleaning it. Dip your cloth in warm water, wring well and wipe gently. You may also wipe with a little rubbing alcohol to disinfect the pad.

• 4

  Use aromatherapy to keep your heating pad smelling fresh. You can use a variety of different scented oils to reduce odors in your heating pad. Many oils are also known for their therapeutic qualities. Some are thought to reduce stress, while others can be invigorating. Lavender has long been used to relax the mind and body. Just a few drops will produce a strong scent when heated. Do not allow these oils to come in contact with the pad. You can place a drop or two of the oil on a cotton ball and cover it with a clean cloth. Place this between the pad's cover and your other clean cloth to produce a light scent.

• 5

  Get rid of any heating pad that has a burnt odor. Sometimes a pad will begin to smell like hot wires or burnt food. This is a sign of a possible malfunction in the electrical components in the pad. Sometimes the wires become overheated and melt the protective covering. Do not attempt to get this type of odor out of a heating pad. Just get rid of the pad before it creates a safety hazard.