Eco-friendly hand warmers are a simple, practical solution to keep warm on chilly days without contributing to plastic waste or environmental harm. Instead of using disposable hand warmers, which often end up in landfills after a single use, you can make your own reusable, long-lasting hand warmers using natural materials. This post will walk you through the steps, helping you reduce your carbon footprint while staying cozy during outdoor activities or cold worksites.
What Are Hand Warmers?
I first learned about hand warmers when reading one of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books as a child. Ma Ingalls gave each child hot potatoes to hold in their mittens to keep their hands warm on their winter walks to school. Then they'd eat the potatoes for lunch.
Today, hand warmers are small pouches that provide heat for cold hands during outdoor activities. They keep your hands warm during winter sports such as ice fishing, skating, hiking or winter camping. You could even use them if you're working outdoors or winter gardening.
Hand warmers come in different varieties, including disposable warmers filled with chemicals like sodium acetate. You can even get battery-operated hand warmers that use a rechargeable battery.
Disposable hand warmers are convenient, offering instant heat, but they often create unnecessary waste. Plus you have to keep buying new ones.
On the other hand, reusable hand warmers like the ones I made last winter offer an eco-friendly alternative. Use these homemade DIY hand warmers again and again, and reduce waste while you keep your hands warm this winter.
The Dangers of Single-Use Hand Warmers
While single-use hand warmers can offer temporary comfort, they can come with several drawbacks. Most disposable warmers rely on chemical reactions or lighter fuel to generate heat.
And once their heat runs out, they get tossed in the trash. This contributes to plastic waste and increases our carbon footprint, especially as they are used frequently during cold weather conditions.
Even worse, disposable hand warmers often contain materials that aren't biodegradable, leading to long-term environmental harm. With the increasing focus on sustainability, making choices like reusable eco-friendly hand warmers just makes sense.
How to Make Eco-Friendly Hand Warmers
Making your own reusable hand warmers is an excellent way to upcycle old textiles, reduce waste, and have a heat source ready for those cold days. Plus, they make thoughtful and practical eco-friendly gifts for friends and family.
Materials Needed
This DIY project is simple enough for beginners and can be completed using basic materials. In fact, if you have a few old flannel sheets or plaid flannel shirts around, grab them now!
- Old flannel shirts or scraps of flannel
- Crushed walnut shells (or rice)
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Pinking shears
- Small funnel
Looking for a practical project for kids? Making homemade hand warmers could be a good homeschooling skills project for children aged about eight and up.
Directions
Making these homemade handwarmers is very simple, and a good beginner sewing project.
Cut the fabric
Use pinking shears to cut four rectangles approximately 3" x 5". These are the perfect size for fitting into a coat pocket or glove.
Tip: If using plaid flannel, follow the lines in the pattern for even cuts.
Sew the hand warmer
Lay two fabric pieces together, ensuring they are aligned evenly. Sew around the edges using a ¼-inch seam allowance, leaving a 1 ½-inch gap unsewn. This will allow space for filling.
Fill with crushed walnut shells or rice
Fill the pouch with your preferred material (crushed walnut shells or rice) using a small funnel. Don't overpack-leave some room for movement.
Sew it closed
You can sew the opening shut by hand or use your sewing machine. If sewing by hand, ensure the seams are secure to prevent any filling from spilling.
Use your hand warmers
To use, heat the hand warmers in the microwave for 90-120 seconds, or in a pot or tray on the wood stove for about two minutes. They should retain heat for about 30 minutes.
Eco-friendly DIY Hand Warmers FAQs
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments. I'll do my best to answer them.
How long do eco-friendly hand warmers stay warm?
Eco-friendly hand warmers filled with materials like crushed walnut shells or rice typically provide heat for 20 to 30 minutes. This makes them a great product for outdoor activities or cold temperatures when you need a quick and lasting heat source.
Are reusable hand warmers safe to use?
Yes, reusable hand warmers are safe when used as directed. Avoid overheating them in the microwave, and make sure they don't come into direct contact with your skin if they feel too hot.
What are other ways to stay warm outdoors?
Aside from using eco-friendly hand warmers, you could also invest in rechargeable hand warmers. I've seen several brands, including the SkyGenius rechargeable hand warmer and the Hot Dot cordless rechargeable hand heater. However, I haven't used these myself.
These rechargeable hand warmers offer hours of battery life and come with different heat settings. These could be good choices for long periods of time outdoors, such as during night shoots or when you're out all day in the backcountry snowshoeing or out on the ski slopes.
Reduce Waste and Stay Warm
Eco-friendly hand warmers are an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their environmental impact while staying comfortable in cold weather. By making your own, you can avoid the waste of disposable warmers and use natural materials like flannel and crushed walnut shells. Whether for a day on the ski slope or simply keeping your hands warm during a cold day, reusable warmers are the perfect solution for those chilly days.
These handmade warmers are cozy and better for the environment than single-use hand warmers. Whether you're enjoying the great outdoors or braving cold worksites, making eco-friendly hand warmers is an easy and sustainable way to stay warm.
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How to Make DIY Eco-Friendly Hand Warmers
Learn how to make DIY eco-friendly hand warmers with flannel and rice. A reusable, sustainable alternative to disposable hand warmers.
Materials
- A flannel shirt or scraps of flannel
- Crushed walnut hulls (or rice)
Tools
- Sewing Machine
- Pinking Shears
- Needle and Sewing Thread
Instructions
- Use pinking shears to cut 4 rectangles roughly 3” x 5”, you do want to go much bigger than this so it fits comfortably in pockets with room for your hands. It's easiest to cut 2 at a time so they line up nicely when it’s time to sew.
- If you are using a plaid flannel it makes cutting even easier, just cut along the lines in the pattern.
- Once you have 4 even pieces, lay 2 of them together and sew in ¼” all the way around leaving about 1 ½” unsewn.
- Take a small funnel, place it in the opening and fill it where it is not quite packed full of crushed walnuts or rice.
- Now, you can either finish it by sewing it by hand or shake all the filling as far to one side as you can and put it back through the sewing machine to save the step of threading a needle.
- Trim off all excess threads.
- To use: Heat in the microwave for 90-120 seconds. Hand warmers should retain heat for about half an hour.
Notes
You can also make these with cotton material, denim or wool. However, I find flannel works best.
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