How to Fix an Ice Pack

An ice pack is a useful item that can provide quick relief for strained muscles, bruises and swollen joints. If you don't have a store-bought ice pack, then you can make one of your own from some household items. A gel ice pack made from water and alcohol, or dish-washing liquid, will allow you to mold it to your body. You also can use things like fruits, vegetables or even a disposable diaper.

Things You'll Need

• Fruits and vegetables
• Rubbing alcohol
• Water
• Disposable diaper
• Dish-washing liquid
• Zipper-seal bags

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Instructions

• 1

  Fix an ice pack with fruits and vegetables. Smaller fruits or vegetables will work better than bigger ones. Put it in a bag and freeze it for about three hours and then apply it to the affected areas. Dispose of the fruits and vegetables after use.

• 2

  Use rubbing alcohol and water. Mix 3 parts water and 1 part rubbing alcohol then put it in a zipper-seal bag and put it in the freezer for about four hours. The alcohol will prevent the concoction from freezing and will create a gel-like pack, which is more flexible than a solid ice one.

• 3

  Use a new disposable diaper to create an ice pack. Soak the diaper in clean water and then fold it. Place it in a sealed plastic bag and freeze it for at least three to four hours. When using it, gently massage the ice pack so that the gel granules inside the diaper will loosen.

   

• 4

  Fix an ice pack using a bottle of dish-washing liquid. Pour 6 ounces of dish-washing liquid into a plastic bag. Double bag it to keep it from leaking. Freeze it until the dish-washing liquid turns into a gel. This takes about two hours. Apply it to the affected areas. 

• 5

  Put four or five ice cubes into a plastic bag and apply it to affected areas. For a more flexible ice pack, use crushed ice. This comes in handy if you do not have time to prepare the other types of ice packs and you need something right away.