Ice packs are great for migraines and minor injuries, and ice pack covers are equally important in order to protect our precious skin! Whether you’ve got one of your notorious headaches or you’re traveling and need to ice a sore back, here are some hacks I’ve found other than wrapping your cold pack in a towel. Let’s upcycle, shall we?!
Hello, lovely!
I am not a doctor or licensed medical professional, nor do I play one on TV. Please seek medicinal advice from actual physicians and health providers. This post is to inspire upcyling, fun sustainability practices, and staying creative in all aspects of life!
Yeah, I am no doctor…
…but as someone who’s had migraines my whole life, I’m happy to share what’s worked for me! And sometimes that means curling up under a blanket in a dark, quiet room, and plopping a cold pack on my head (wrapped in one of my repurposed ice pack covers!).
I have an absurd amount of cold packs on-hand, but if you don’t have anything but straight-up ice or frozen peas, then you’re going need something to contain your homemade ice pack to protect your skin.
And you know what? I bet you already have some of these things at home! No purchase necessary!
While towels always work, sometimes they unravel and get messy. After reading, you’ll have some ideas for alternative ways to construct a cold pack.
This post is all about creative ice pack covers you can find at home.
One more note…
This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through my affiliate link at no extra cost to you. My recommendations are always items I buy or totally want to buy!
Ice Pack Covers You Can Find at Home
1. Socks
Drop your cold pack into a cushy sock! If you’re making one purely with ice cubes, you could wrap ice in a tea towel or washcloth, fold, and then pop in a sock.
You could also try an old Christmas stocking!
2. Drawstring Bags That Come With Those Cute Pajama Pants
I love these comfy pajama pants! They are so soft with such whimsical designs, plus come in the cutest carry pouches. You can use these pouches for lots of storage or as toiletry bags.
OR as ice pack covers!
The drawstring helps to secure your cold pack, so it’s not falling all over the floor.
3. Cloth Bags That Sheets are Packaged In
I love sheet sets that come in matching bags that are usually sealed with Velcro. They are so useful for many things, but lately I’ve been using them for my cold compress!
This sheet set comes in a reusable tote! They’re also made with sustainable practices, including the OEKO-TEX certification and being constructed in a factory that’s wind and solar powered.
4. Small Pillowcase
Think pillowcases for throw pillows or just a standard pillowcase you can knot at the end. These are great ice pack covers!
Before you buy something new,
look through what you already have
and you just might find the perfect item!
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5. Scarf
Wrap your cold pack in a soft scarf, knot, and enjoy! This will be one of your prettier ice pack covers!
One option is the travel scarf with a hidden zipper pocket! You can store valuables, but also use to carry a cold compress on the plane or long bus ride.
Pro Tip: Need a cooling compress that doesn’t need to be refrigerated? Use a pet cooling mat! I’m sort of jealous of my dog’s cooling pad. I sometimes borrow it!
Repurposing and upcycling is about being creative!
And you don’t necessarily need to know how to sew
or use a bunch of power tools.
(Trust me. No one wants me around power tools!)
My suggestions are usually things I can do myself…
easy peasier ideas that include all skill levels.
Let’s learn and thrive together.
You’ve got this!
6. Oven Mitt
Oven mitts have that comforting, padded feel that would be equally comforting as an ice pack cover! Especially if you’re cold sensitive, the thicker covering feels like an extra layer of protection for your skin.
(Pssst: Always be careful with adding any cold or heat to your body. Check time limits to avoid burns, frostbite, and nerve damage. Again, I’m no doctor. I just want you to be safe!)
7. Soft Cosmetic Bag or Jewelry Pouch
Add some ice to a cosmetic bag made for wet spills on the inside, but is cushy on the outside. Or if you already have a cold compress, just tuck inside the cosmetic bag for an instant ice pack cover!
Several years ago, my aunt sewed the most beautiful, drawstring jewelry pouch for me. It’s wonderful for special gems when you’re on-the-go, but it’s also a great alternative for an ice pack cover!
8. Travel Shoe Bag
I’ve finally convinced (actually cajoled) my partner, Jon, that shoe bags are almost an essential in the civilized world. Let’s face it: Shoes that have been in a public restroom (and all our shoes have!) don’t need to be super sidled up in my suitcase with my clean clothes. Oh, heavens, no! They need a shoe bag!
However, if you’ve gone overboard and bought more shoe bags than you’ll ever need for one trip, they also make great ice pack covers! Throw a few empty ones in your suitcase for travel aches and pains or store a few near the fridge for home use.
9. Wine Bottle Bag
Do you have cloth wine bottle bags that never get used? Well, now you have no excuse! These bags make great ice pack covers, especially if you have a teensy bit of a headache after a little sippy.
Bonus Ice Pack Cover Idea:
If you’re looking for a comfy cozy gift for a child, tween, or teen, these hot and cold stuffed animal wraps are a really sweet gesture. I’ve purchased this pineapple microwaveable heating pad before as a gift. It was very cute!
Another option is to make a homemade rice bag. This probably does require sewing (I know, GOSH!!), but if you sew, then you’re golden, honey!
Ice Pack Covers Wrap-Up
If we use our imaginations, it’s possible to come up with all kinds of ideas that’ll save money, energy, and resources. Plus, it’s pretty fun conserving what we already own and appreciating what we’ve got. Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this post and would enjoy more posts like it!
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Recap of similar items I use (and where you can find them):
- I can’t find the exact eye mask I’m wearing above, but here’s a similar one. They say they are Climate Pledge Friendly and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified.
- Adorable pajama pants that come in a drawstring pouch with the same soft material
- Sheets that come in a tote bag or Velcro-enclosed cloth envelope
- Travel scarf with hidden zip compartment (for all of you secret agents at heart!)
- Pet cooling pad (not just for pets, in my humble opinion!)
And some random fashion for you today:
These are great ideas that I would never think of.
Thank you for saying that! I appreciate your note!
Thanks a lot for sharing these at home ice pack cover ideas. Super helpful indeed.
Thank you! I really appreciate that!