Homemade Gel Ice Pack (Step by Step)

Step 1

Mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 1 part water in a ziplock freezer bag, then squeeze as much air out as possible. Zip it closed and put it in your freezer until icy. The rubbing alcohol will prevent the water from freezing solid, making it malleable enough to conform to any injured area.

Step 2

Fill a ziplock bag with dish soap until there’s enough to form a thick layer when it lies flat, let as much air out as possible, then zip the bag closed and freeze it. If you want it to be more flexible and gel like (like a blue gel ice pack), remove it from the freezer and apply to site of the injury after about 2 hours. If you leave it in your freezer too long, it will get much more firm and be less malleable (though it won’t solidify completely).

Step 3

Just fill a ziplock freezer bag about halfway full of corn syrup, let as much air out as possible, zip it closed, and stick it in your freezer until it firms up.