Rubber is a popular hot water bottle material as it is durable and provides more insulation, which may reduce the risk of burns. Additionally, some companies make hot water bottles out of recycled rubber. Simply fill your hot water bottle with ice cold water which can be obtained using the ice moulds in your freezer. Apply the water bottle to the affected area or areas for up to 15 minutes covering the bottle with a towel if there is already no cover. This will prevent injuries to your skin from prolonged exposure.

verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ She continued: "I was in a supermarket the other day and saw this little old lady buying one and I said, ‘Please don’t buy that. If you are going to use them, make sure you use warm water and not hot water.’ Then I showed her my scarring. Alternatively, if you feel that you can’t sleep because it is too hot, you can place the hot water bottle or body warmer in the freezer for a few hours before placing it under the covers for 5-10 minutes. Once you are ready to sleep, you must again remove the product first. Storing a hot water bottleAny maximum lifespan or expiry date should be measured based on the date of first usage not production. On some hot water bottles you may come across some reference to a date embossed on a hot water bottle, typically a year in the centre and week represented by dots. This is the date of production and is used primarily for production traceability. Once you are happy that the hot water bottle is safe to use, unscrew the stopper and pour out any water left in inside. Ideally there shouldn't actually be any water present as it should be removed whenever you stop using it. The sad part of it was she said 'I have to buy them because I can’t afford my heating.’ Which is so sad. Some people are sleeping with them and that gives me so much anxiety. They put them in their bed and cwtch up with them. It doesn’t matter how much air you bring out of them – I did it all properly – it will perish eventually. In addition to keeping you warm, hot water bottles can be great for overall well being, simultaneously helping you relax, relieve stress and menstrual pains, ease muscle tension, aches and pains, and get a good night’s sleep. All of these can be great for your short and long term health.

For a long time, people have applied heat to the body as an effective way to relieve muscle pain and stiffness. One of the most effective ways to apply heat locally is with a hot water bottle. Increasing the temperature on a specific area of the body improves circulation and blood flow, working to relax and soothe damaged tissue. It’s important not to use boiling water, as this can be dangerous and could also degrade the seams of your hot water bottle. You also don’t want to use tap water, as it may not be hot enough and contains impurities that can affect the material of your hot water bottle. The 45-year-old had filled up the hot water bottle with boiling water. "Most people will tell you that unless you boil the water you can’t feel the heat – no matter how many times the doctors tell you that you shouldn’t be using hot water," she added. A 2013 study in the Journal of Clinical Medical Research showed that applying heat helps to preserve both muscle strength and activity. The greatest reduction in pain was seen immediately after application. A hot water bottle is a rubber or thermoplastic bottle with a hollow inner void into which hot water can be poured and stored. A screw cap lid or stopper is used to completely seal off the water from the surrounding air.

The best hot water bottles for 2023 are:

These days hot water bottles come in all shapes and sizes and are made using a variety of materials. Therefore, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each option and choose the right hot water bottle for your specific needs. Hot water bottles have been designed to hold water so there are few better household items better at carrying 1 to 2 litres of the good stuff for your plants. Just remember not to fill to the brim as water may spill out if you squeeze too much. On the contrary, cold heat numbs the injury by narrowing blood vessels and slowing down blood flow. This in turn, reduces the build-up of fluid in the affected area. Cold is also believed to help with inflammation and swelling. It relieves pain but does not necessary treat the underlying cause. Don't forget that how you use it matters. If a hot water bottle is properly used and cared for, it can last for several years. But at the same time, negligent use like not emptying the water, heating it up in the microwave, or filling directly from a tap can speed up the hot water bottle decay Filling a hot water bottle There are two main ways to keep you warm with a hot water bottle. The first is by resting it on or close to your body and the second is to use it to heat up the inside of your bed or sleeping bag before entering.

Begum, F., et al. (2019). In hot water: The impact of burn injuries from hot water bottles - experience of a UK burns unit and review of the literature [Abstract]. Hot water bottles should be disposed of with normal household waste once they have finished their useful life for their originally intended purpose. That said, you may find some of these alternative ideas for using your hot water bottle so you don't have to throw them away.

Many find alternating between cold and hot treatments for intervals of 15-20 minutes to be particularly effective. For optimal results, lie down comfortably on a sofa or bed while applying these treatments. This treatment can be used to relieve other kinds of aches and pains. Our modern way of life has led to higher levels of stress, anxiety and sleeping difficulties. It is a well-known fact that long term stress and sleeping difficulties can have adverse consequences on an individual’s health. Although heat products such as hot water bottles cannot target the root causes of the stress and sleeping difficulties, they can be very effective as forms of relieving some of the symptoms. If problems persist for a significant period, then you would be best advised to seek medical advice.