With all the electronic gadgets we have in our life today, a hot water bottle may seem like a relic from the past. But think about this.
- A hot water bottle is portable.
- It can be used anywhere.
- You are not tethered to an electric plug to make it work.
- Since they are not connected to electricity it makes them safer to use for children.
A good old fashioned water bottle is usually made from rubber. Rubber retains heat well, lasts for years and is very durable. However, rubber does contain latex so if you have a latex allergy you should avoid it. In this case a moist heating pad is probably going to work better for you.
I never knew there were so many kinds until I started doing research for this article. There are rubber hot water bottles and ones made from thermoplastic. There are long water bottles , and ones you can put in the microwave . Ones with fleece covers , ones with knitted covers and a whole bunch of novelty hot water bottles . There are even ones that are U-shaped!
Please note that all opinions are my own and are not intended to be taken as medical advice.
Best Rubber Hot Water Bottles
Thermoplastic Hot Water Bottles
Thermoplastic is a type of PVC that retains heat very well so it stays warm longer than rubber. It is made from polymers that are soft and flexible when heated but solid when cool. They also can be used safely by those people who have latex allergies. However, thermoplastic is thinner than rubber and may not be quite as durable. Therefore, there may be some quality differences between bottles, so it is important to read the reviews before purchasing.
One advantage to thermoplastic bottles is that they are somewhat transparent. This makes it easy to see the water level as you are filling the bottle.
Fashy Hot Water Bottles
Fashy is the brand people have come to trust. They are manufactured with the most advanced thermoplastic materials available. The thermoplastic materials used are effective, hygienic, virtually odorless and even recyclable.
The cross-hatched design provides intense heat that lasts longer. Dimensions are 10″ X 7 1/2 , 12″ X 7 1/2 if you include the neck and top. It holds 64 ounces (2 quarts/2 liters)x
Additional Thermoplastic Bottles
Long Hot Water Bottles
A long water bottle is just what you need to cuddle up with on a cold winter night. You can lay against it and soothe your entire spine at once. Or wrap it around your neck and shoulders.
Most people think of using a hot water bottle to ease their pain. But, these long hot water bottles also work wonderfully to warm your bed at night. About ten minutes before you are ready to go to bed, put the long hot water bottle down by where your feet will lie. It will keep your feet warm all night. 😀
Microwaveable Hot Water Bottles
Microwaveable hot water bottles are made of food grade silicone and are odorless. These have a wide mouth design to make it easy to fill with water.
Just take off the knit cover and fill with water three quarters of the way full. Heating time should not exceed two and a half minutes.
Tips:
- The rubber washer under the cover plays an important role in preventing water leakage. Do not damage and lose.
- DO NOT add boiling water into it directly, add 80°C / 176 °F water and keep 3/4 full. It’ll be better if a cloth cover is applied.
- When it’s left unused, make it dry enough and properly inflate it, then place it under shady and dry conditions.
- DO NOT close it to the body for a long time for fear of scald.
- When it’s put into a microwave oven, ensure the bag is filled with cold water and heating time does not exceed 2.5 minutes to prevent a burst.
- If it swells during the heating process, stop heating immediately. However, DO NOT open the microwave immediately.
- Children under 3 years old shall not use this product .
Bottles With Knitted Covers
Bottles With Fleece Covers
Premium Classic Rubber Hot or Cold Water Bottle with Soft Fleece CoverHot Water Bottle Rubber with Soft Cover (2 Liter) Hot Water BagTransparent Hot Water Bottle with Hand Pocket Cover–2.0LHot Water Bottle with Cute Fleece Cover, 2L Hot Water Bag
Novelty Bags
Things to Look for When Making a Purchase
Materials
The majority of hot water bottles are either made from rubber or from a material called thermoplastic. Regardless of what it is made of, ones without seams are the most durable.
Texture
A ribbed texture will help to diffuse the heat throughout the entire surface of the bottle. Flat surfaces provide a more targeted heat to your body. The cross hatch design tends to perform the best because it provides a moderately intense heat. No matter what design you decide on, make sure you use some kind of covering on the bottle so you don’t get burned. There are so many cute designs available.
Size
Most hot water bottles will hold between one and two liters of water. A standard bottle holds roughly 2 liters of water. Most standard hot water bottles measure around 11″ x 8″. They work best on the abdomen area for cramps and such and other larger parts of the body.
I have an entire section above about long water bottles. These bottles range in size from 32″ long x 5 1/2″ wide to 72″ long x 12″ wide. You can lay it against your entire spine to soothe pain. Or you can wrap it around your neck or shoulders or other parts of your body.
Mouth
Make sure the mouth is wide enough to fill easily. Trying to fill a hot water bottle with a small mouth can not only be frustrating, but it can be dangerous as well.
Filling Your Hot Water Bottle
You can use hot water from your tap, but it probably is not going to be quite hot enough. The best way to heat the water is either with a electric kettle or a traditional tea kettle. Either of these will have a pour spout to make it easy to pour the water into the bottle.
Make sure the water is not too hot. Using water that is too hot can not only burn your skin but it could decrease the life of your hot water bottle too. Less than 100 degrees is optimal. However, different water bottles have different temperature requirements, so consult the instructions that came with your bottle.
Make sure you hold the hot water bottle by the neck for the best stability. You don’t want it to flop over because this could cause the hot water to spill and burn you. You may even want to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Do not fill the bottle more than two-thirds full. Once you have added the water then slowly press the sides of the water bottle which will expel the excess air from the bottle. You will want to squeeze until you see the water in the bottle rise to the opening. Again, be careful not to squeeze the hot water out and on to your hands.
Place the screw top and it is ready to use!
Be sure to empty the bottle completely out after each use. Leave the opening unplugged. Hang it upside down to dry.
Be sure to check for leaks or damages by filling it with cold water before each use. You don’t want almost boiling water leaking out on you.
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