Homes can quickly become hot and stuffy on a hot day, but there is an easy way to cool down without needing to plug anything in. Summer has well and truly arrived across the UK, and while most of us are revelling in the glorious sunshine and clear blue skies, being stuck indoors and battling the stifling heat is far from enjoyable. Whether you're uncomfortably glued to the sofa during the day or tossing and turning in a warm bed at night, the relentless heat can make life pretty miserable.
Reaching for a fan or air conditioning unit might appear to be the obvious answer, but many people are unaware that these appliances aren't actually designed to eliminate heat. Fans and air conditioners work by moving air around a room, helping sweat to evaporate and gradually cooling you down, but they do little to ease the discomfort of scorching temperatures.
Simple Solution: A Hot Water Bottle
Instead, John Lawless from BestHeating has revealed a surprisingly straightforward method to stay cool and comfortable throughout summer — and all you need is a hot water bottle. John said: "We've not gone mad. Hot water bottles are great insulators. This means that they can stay either hot or cold when you need it whatever time of year!" He added: "A good tip to keep your bed cool at night is to put your 'cold' water bottle under the sheets or next to your pillow in the evening. That means when you eventually get into bed it will be lovely and cool not hot and sticky."
Typically associated with the winter months, hot water bottles can actually be one of the most affordable and effective tools for keeping cool during the summer heat. It might seem strange at first, but heat naturally travels from warmer objects to cooler ones, meaning that filling a hot water bottle with cold water will draw heat directly away from your body. This helps bring your temperature down, making you feel cooler almost immediately, while also eliminating nearby heat that can make a bed or sofa feel uncomfortably warm.
How to Use a Hot Water Bottle to Keep Cool in Summer
Simply grab a hot water bottle and fill it with ice cubes, crushed ice, or chilled water straight from the fridge. If your hot water bottle has a cover, be sure to remove it beforehand. Place it against your pulse points, such as your neck, wrists, or ankles, as this can speed up the cooling process. If you're using it overnight, pop it at the foot of your bed or near your pillow before you drift off. Should the bottle feel uncomfortably cold against your skin, wrap it in a towel or pillowcase first. It should keep you feeling cool and refreshed no matter how fierce the heat gets this summer.
Some people opt to put their hot water bottle in the freezer for a short period, though this can be risky as the water may expand and cause leaks or cracks. Only leave it in the freezer for a maximum of 20 minutes to chill it down, and it is not recommended trying to fill a hot water bottle with frozen water.
