A woman has shared a method to keep cool during soaring temperatures using a common household item, with some saying it is even 'better than air conditioning'. Ames, a TikTok user, recommended placing a hot water bottle in the freezer and then using it on the body for relief.
How the Hack Works
In a video, Ames explained: 'This might just be what gets me through the heatwave.' She advised filling the bottle partially, as water expands when frozen, and warned not to reuse it for hot water. 'Make sure you don’t fill it completely as water expands when frozen! NOT TO BE USED WITH HOT WATER AGAIN, THOUGH, AS IT WILL SPLIT! Dispose after freezing!!' she wrote.
One commenter said: 'I've got this ready to put in my bed tonight. I have now dedicated this hot water bottle as my cold water bottle and won't be using it again with hot! Looking forward to a cool sleep tonight!' Another claimed to have been doing this 'since 1976', calling it 'better than having air conditioning' in the house.
Safety Concerns
However, experts caution that freezing severely degrades rubber or PVC, increasing the risk of bursting or leaking. As water freezes, it expands, putting pressure on seams and seals. Using a frozen bottle later for hot water can cause rupturing and severe burns. Ames urged users to have separate bottles for cold and hot use.
Cost-Effective Alternative
With temperatures reaching 40°C in parts of the UK and a red weather warning in effect, this hack offers a cheaper alternative to air conditioning. Ames recommended placing the cold bottle on the feet: 'Put your feet on it! Best way to cool your body down!'
