How to Make a Super Cold Gel Pack

Gel packs are commonly used to keep the contents of a lunch box cold until it is time to eat. Gel packs also are used for other purposes, such as soothing bruises, sun burns and other injuries. The cost of a manufactured gel pack is expensive compared to the cost of making your own. A homemade gel pack can cost less than a dollar. They are re-usable, and will work the same as a store-bought version.

Things You'll Need

• 2 Ziploc bags
• Rubber band
• Mason jar or something similar
• Dish soap or (rubbing alcohol and water)
• Measuring cup
• Food coloring

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Instructions

• 1

  Insert a Ziploc bag into a mason jar. Fold the bad over the edge of the jar. Wrap a rubber band around the bag to hold it tight to the jar. This will prevent the bag from moving when filling. If the bag slips or moves and the contents touch the outer zipper, it could result in a mess in the freezer.

• 2

  Fill the bag three-fourths of the way full with any dish soap. Do not over fill the bag or it could rip open and leak all over a lunch box when it thaws. You also can use rubbing alcohol and water instead of the dish soap. The more alcohol that is used over water, the softer the gel pack will be after freezing.

• 3

  Add food coloring to the dish soap to change the color for each family member.

• 4

  Remove the rubber band from the jar, and partially close the bag. Slowly lift the bag out of the jar, and remove any air from the bag while closing it.

• 5

  Insert the bag into a second bag to add double protection. Remove air from the second bag before closing it fully.

• 6

  Place in the freezer and wait for the bag to freeze.