Households are being encouraged to dig out their hot water bottles ahead of Thursday as another spell of intense heat is set to grip large parts of England. The advice comes as forecasters warn temperatures could climb to a scorching 36C in parts of the country, making it difficult for many people to sleep once the sun goes down.
Expected Temperatures
According to the Met Office, temperatures could reach 30C across parts of England and Wales on Tuesday before climbing to between 32C and 34C on Wednesday. The hottest weather is currently expected on Thursday, when parts of East Anglia and south-east England could see highs of up to 36C.
How Hot Water Bottles Can Help
While hot water bottles are normally associated with keeping warm in winter, experts say they can also help people stay cool during heatwaves. Instead of filling them with hot water, households are being advised to fill them with cold water and ice before bedtime to help cool down sheets, pillows or even themselves during the night.
Experts at Heat-Treats said: "It's simple; just fill your bottle with iced water, ice cubes or crushed ice. The bottle acts in the same way in reverse; instead of releasing warm heat it emits refreshing cold."
"Contrary to hot water which will gradually cool down, the icy water will eventually warm up until it reaches room temperature. Some people suggest that you can fill your bottle with cold water and then place it in the freezer to chill further, although it shouldn't be left for more than 20 minutes otherwise the rubber can become compromised and may rupture. The best plan is to have different bottles for heat filling and cold filling."
Additional Tips
The experts added: "You can also use your cold hot water bottle for cooling down your sheets or pillow before you go to bed. If your bottle doesn't have a cover, wrap it in a tea towel or pillowcase to prevent overexposure to the cold next to your skin."
People choosing to chill their hot water bottle in the freezer are also advised not to overfill it, as water expands when frozen and could damage the rubber. Keeping a separate bottle for cooling and another for hot water is also recommended to help extend their lifespan.
The tip is also backed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE). In its advice on staying cool during hot weather, the charity said: "CSE's Pete suggests filling your hot water bottle halfway with water and put it in the freezer a few hours before bed. Once frozen, it'll emit cold in the same way that it warms you up if you use hot water."
