Staying Cool: How to make DIY gel ice pack with few ingredients at home

WORLD – If you’re trying to cool down this summer, a gel ice pack is a great help. It’s easy to make your own. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Reusable zip-top bag
• Water
• Rubbing alcohol
• Dish soap
• Food coloring

Instructions:

1. Add 2 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol in a sturdy, reusable zip-top bag. Adjust the amount of alcohol to make the pack firmer or softer.
2. Add a dash of dish soap to prevent the gel from sticking to the bag.
3. Optionally, add food coloring of your choice to customize the pack’s color.
4. Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it.
5. Seal the bag and lay it flat in the freezer for a few hours or overnight.
6. When ready to use, take the pack from the freezer and apply it to the affected area.
7. Refreeze the pack after use for reuse as needed.
   For a nontoxic ice pack option, you can make a DIY corn syrup ice pack. This alternative keeps the pack soft and flexible and is safe to use around children. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Reusable zip-top bag
• Corn syrup
  Instructions:

1. Pour corn syrup into a zip-top bag of your choosing.
2. Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it.
3. Seal the bag and lay it flat in the freezer for a few hours or overnight.
4. When ready to use, place the pack in a lunchbox or apply it to an injury.
5. Refreeze the pack after use for reuse as needed.
   Tip: Another easy, nontoxic DIY ice pack option for kids’ lunches is to freeze wet sponges in a reusable zip-top bag. This way, if they thaw in the lunchbox, they won’t leak and ruin the food.