A Wheat Bags is a cotton corduroy bag filled with non-chemically treated Australian whole grain A grade wheat that can be used either hot (heated in a microwave) or cold (stored in the freezer). Our Wheat Bags are a natural alternative for treating and managing aches and pains.
The cellular structure of wheat provides fantastic insulation properties. Wheat can absorb and distribute both heat and cold evenly and gradually ensuring effective pain relief. Wheat Bags easily mould to the contour of the area that is being treated.
A Wheat Bag is heated in the microwave for a set amount of time – each Wheat Bag has a heating label with the recommended heating time sewn into it for maximum safety. Once the Wheat Bag is heated it is simply placed on an area where heat is required
Yes. Wheat Bags can be used as cold packs. Simply place your Wheat Bag inside a plastic bag and keep in the freezer. After about 4 hours the Wheat Bag is usually cool enough. Please note Wheat Bags are not ice packs so they never actually freeze – they are more of a cold/cool pack. A cold Wheat Bag is perfect for when a child has a fall or bump as the cool is soothing and this helps calm the child. We recommend keeping one in the freezer permanently.
Our wheat is non-chemically treated ensuring you receive the best natural quality product possible. I worked with the CSIRO to develop a treatment system that ensures our wheat is free from mould and natural predators like weevils. Our treatment process is our trade secret!
Yes you can heat it longer. Our heating times are only a guideline as microwaves vary as well as an individual’s tolerance and preference for heat. We recommend not exceeding 150% of the stated time.
Please note that older people and young children have a different tolerance to heat so the Wheat Bag does not necessarily need to be as hot as an adult may usually have it. So, if our Wheat Bag says heat for 2 minutes then: 2 (minutes) x 150% (1.5) = 3 minutes. Do not exceed this time limit even if the patient or yourself cannot feel enough heat. If 2 minutes is not hot enough increase the heating time in 15 second increments until the heat is hot enough but do not go above 150%. If the heat is still not hot enough we suggest checking with your medical practitioner as maybe a loss in sensitivity may be present and the heat cannot be registered fully.
Heating above this time will make the Wheat Bag too hot and may cause damage. Our Wheat Bags emit heat slowly so we suggest checking the heat by placing the Wheat Bag on your forearm and leaving for 10-15 seconds. You will feel the heat gently increase and this is the safest way to determine if the heat is warm enough.
DO NOT OVERHEAT MORE THAN 150% OF THE STATED TIME.
If a burning smell is detected your Wheat Bag needs to be discarded. Carefully remove from the microwave, place on a non-combustible surface such as a sink or kitchen bench, and let the Wheat Bag completely cool and then discard. Wheat over time will dry out and start to emit a cooked/burnt smell. This is letting you now that it is time to replace your Wheat Bag. Fire can occur from an old over used Wheat Bag that is continually over-heated. It is when this over-dried, over-heated Wheat Bag is placed in a bed or under covers where the heat cannot dissipate that a fire may occur. It is like spontaneous combustion – the heat cannot escape and is in a dry (flammable) area - the heat continues to rise and worst-case scenario, it may cause a fire. These cases are very rare but caution should always be exercised. If in doubt – throw it out.
See above. Most people innocently program the microwave for the wrong amount of time, walk away and do not realise until they come back that something is wrong. I once had a client who pressed 22 minutes on her microwave instead of 2 minutes. Quite a difference! She said there was no fire and the Wheat Bag was not burnt but it smelt terrible and was extremely hot with a little smoke coming out. In this extreme case we suggest leaving the Wheat Bag in the microwave until it cools then once completely cool discard and then clean your microwave.
As the eyes are very sensitive we do not recommend heating our eye pillows - for an extra cool treat you can store your eye pillow in the freezer (just make sure it's inside a plastic bag so it's protected).
Wheat is a food source so anything like weevils or mice are going to try and find it. We suggest keeping your Wheat Bag in an airtight container or sealed bag. We recommend heating your Wheat Bag once a month. Alternatively you can permanently store you Wheat Bag in the freezer, just pop into a plastic bag and seal.
No you don’t and for safety reasons we recommend that you do NOT put a container of water in with the Wheat Bag as it can heat up and become a hazard. Wheat has a moisture content of about 12%. Continual heating over the years will eventually dry this moisture out and the wheat will begin to cook and this is why after much use the Wheat Bag may start to smell. To prolong the moisture content in your Wheat Bag you can gently apply a small mist of water from a spray bottle like you use to mist plants (usually one squeeze of the trigger is enough to give a fine mist) You can do this directly over the Wheat Bag before heating, the slight moisture will absorb into the fabric – this will help keep the moisture level up ensuring the maximum life of your Wheat Bag. If this option is chosen you need to ensure that the Wheat Bag is not over moistened. You can add a small spritz of water every 3-5 heatings if desired but this is option is not necessary for the Wheat Bag to function as normal.
Once again this is like asking how big is big. It is not a straightforward answer as many variables come into play. Generally speaking if you heat a Wheat Bag once a week it should last a minimum of 7 years. If you heat it several times a day every day you may only get 6 months use from the product. It's like asking how long a car will last - there are many variables and each situation is different. Once a slight burnt smell is detected it’s time to replace the bag.
Your microwave turntable is not spinning correctly or there may be a fault with your microwave. Sadly we do not replace a Wheat Bag that has been burnt as this is due to user error so please ensure that your turntable has completed a full-unobstructed turn before leaving the Wheat Bag to heat. Microwaves are very complicated but a very simplistic way to explain them is, it is like a laser beam bouncing around – if this bouncing around is stopped due to the turntable not turning and keeping the Wheat Bag in the same exact position, this laser like heat will concentrated in one area and cause a burn. It doesn’t happen very often but it does happen and it not covered by warranty so please ensure the turntable is unobstructed.
Workmanship, this means if we have not sewn your Wheat Bag to a standard that can tolerate normal use we will replace it within 6 months for domestic use only. Practitioner use is 3 months from date of purchase. Proof of purchase needs to be supplied. Warranty does not cover burning. If a seam splits due to poor sewing we will happily replace your Wheat Bag within the above warranty period.
If you have not opened and used the Wheat Bag you can return it to us for an exchange or refund within 14 days. The Wheat Bag needs to be in its original packaging and the return delivery charge is at your expense. There is a 10% re-stocking fee and no refund on the original delivery. If you are ex-changing the Wheat Bag/s please note that you will be responsible for the return delivery charge also.
Wheat Bags are Australian made. They are manufactured at our factory in the Gold Coast, Queensland.
This is not an easy question to answer; it’s like how big is big? There are some factors that will need to be taken into account. If the Wheat Bag is placed behind your back while you are sitting in a chair then the heat is going to remain longer (maybe up to 40 minutes) as the heat is trapped by your back and the chair. If a Wheat Bag is sitting on your stomach the air surrounding the Wheat Bag will make the Wheat Bag cool quicker. The cooler the surrounding air, the quicker the Wheat Bag will cool. Heat may last 20 minutes in this environment. The most benefit from heat therapy is gained in the first 15 minutes.
Yes you can re-heat the Wheat Bag even if it is still a little warm. We suggest re-heating for half the original heating time. Please shake the Wheat Bag and test before applying it to the area (or person) to be treated and remember the stronger the power of your microwave the quicker your Wheat Bag will heat up so always err on the side of caution.
No. Because we use non-chemically treated food grade wheat if you overly wet the bag the grain will sprout. You can use a damp sponge to lightly clean the outside of the bag. If the Wheat Bag becomes a little damp then place into the microwave and heat for the recommended time.
We are not able to ship individual orders overseas as wheat is classified as a food and has strict quarantine issues. Wheat Bags may be taken into New Zealand if they have been heated first. Each country has it’s own individual rules and you would need to check with local authorities first before sending a Wheat Bag overseas as we cannot guarantee that Customs will not confiscate it.