April 2021 | Cuddly Comforts

Why you need a hot water bottle gift set

Hot water bottles are handy because they have many versatile benefits. A simple hot water bottle can keep you or your loved ones warm. They are also useful for helping ease period cramps or pregnancy aches.

Many of our satisfied customers tell us how they’ve eased neck and back pain, or helped with wheezing and coughing.

Keep warm with an extra long hot water bottle

In addition, hot water bottles, especially extra long hot water bottles, are a cheap and effective way to keep warm whenever there’s a nip in the air.

Furthermore, whenever you’re tired, you can just wrap or place them where you feel the most pain. It might take a while to kick in; perhaps even some deep breathing is needed. But after a while you’ll hopefully feel better, healthier and ready to go again.

These are definitely a great way to show your love for your friends, family, and even yourself.

woman hugs hot water bottle — A warm hug in a furry cover

Hot water bottles in a gift set

More often than not, hot water bottle gift sets are a great idea when buying a gift. They are also great if you decide to create a gift from scratch).

Gift sets are designed to include many other items that can definitely keep you warm on those chilly evenings.
Cuddly Comforts

Aside from that, you have the potential to even save more money with a gift set rather than buying things individually.

These gift sets can include warm clothing such as woolly hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, slippers, and socks. Others may include masks, covers, and teddy bears.

Accessories for Extra Warmth

Who would say no to hot chocolates in a mug? Along with a hot water bottle, a hot chocolate mix and a fancy mug go together nicely. They perfectly complement a gift set for those who love sipping a mug of hot chocolate on cold days.

Not only does a cup of chocolate warm you from inside, but it also makes you feel comfortable and sleepy in the evening. It’s a great treat, and comparatively the hot water bottle can help keep you warm outside along with the delicious hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate in mug — Hot chocolate and a good book

Invest in warm clothes

Clothing such as knitted sweaters and fur-lined boots are popular winter warmers. Gloves, mittens, socks, and hoodies are a great compliment for hot water bottles. they fit snugly in a gift set due to their warmth and trendiness.

Especially in the winter season, these wearable items will never go out of style. Not only do they keep you snug, they can also make you look cute or cool, depending on your style preference. You can even alter them to suit your needs.

An accessory such as a scarf also complements an extra-long or traditional hot water bottle. Design and use choices are down to the individual, but the market caters to many tastes.

These accessories can double the warmth, while keeping the wearer comfortable and fashionable.

Cuddly stuffed toys

Are you in need of cuddles while keeping warm with a hot water bottle? Stuffed toys like teddy bears are a cuddly favourite. Many gift sets include cute cuddly toys that you can hug along with a hot water bottle.

Aside from helping you warm up, these plush animals will also bring comfort and joy to your and your loved ones. Cuddling a soft toy can help ease their anxiety and distress in both children and adults.

Other gift set items

Other products that go well with a hot water bottle in a gift set are crocheted covers, mats, and furry slippers.

Crocheted covers are suitably wooly and designed for covering a product, such as an extra-long hot water bottle. Consequently, this helps to protects you from accidental burns or heat exposure.

Always a plus point for all members of the family, no matter how big or small 🙂

Some of the throws, rugs or floor mats are furry and warm, keeping your feet away from cold as you step out of your bed or your bathroom.

Luxury gift set

Furry slippers will help you battle cold, and feel fashionable and comfortable at the same time. These products can go well with a hot water bottle because using them can make you feel snug, warm, and luxurious! Who doesn’t want to feel luxurious?

These are perfect for not just keeping toasty, but also snuggling and cuddling in your bedroom or near the fireplace.

All in all, there are many different products you can get just from buying or creating home-made hot water bottle gift sets.

You can save money by buying a gift set, and even get snug and comfy with your hot water bottle on cold days.

Your hot water bottle as a heat treatment

Hot water bottles can be great therapeutic tools

After being made redundant in the pandemic, Emma Watts was looking for her next big opportunity.

With a “heated igloo” craze apparently sweeping the country, Emma decided to make an affordable version and a new business was born.

One year later and the Hertfordshire-based endevour is proving to be extremely popular as customers dine outside in the warmth of a pod.

While the traditional icy surround of an igloo might be missing, there are plenty of items inside the pod to make it a comfortable experience. Cushion, blankets, a heater and, of course, the trusty hot water bottle.

Hot and cold treatments

If you get any bumps and bruises in Emma’s igloo you won’t be able to scrape off a handful of ice to press on the area! But should you be applying hot or cold pressure at all? Is it best to treat an ailment or injury with heat or ice?

Applying heat often feels like a quick fix pain reliver. Therefore, it’s normal for people to assume that it’s healed and the injury better. However, it’s only true with certain kinds of injuries – particularly chronic injuries.

How many times as a child did you bump or bruise your head and your parents reached for a cold compress? The bag of frozen peas went into a tea towel and a few minutes later all was well again.

Dealing with chronic injuries

Oddly enough, chronic injuries are more common than other kinds of injuries. They are usually the result of past injuries that did not properly heal.

Acute vs. Chronic Pain

They are also known as ‘overuse’ injuries. They develop slowly from repetitive activities such as running, cycling, and swimming but can last for a while.

Chronic injuries include the following:

Stress fractures
Hamstring strain
Groin pull
Tennis elbow
Shin splints
Runner’s knee
Heel inflammation
Ankle sprain

These injuries could bring you moderate to severe pain. The pain can be conservatively treated through heat therapies or thermotherapy treatments.

Using heat to treat these injuries has been highlighted as an extremely effective method. It widens blood vessels, increases extensibility of tissues, and improves blood circulation.

Heat therapy benefits can be achieved in several ways. Below are the most common heat therapy techniques:

#1 Taking a hot bath/sauna

Getting drenched in a hot tub or basking in a sauna has lots of benefits. Not only can it treat symptoms of chronic injuries and muscle spasms, but it can likewise prevent heart attacks and strokes as several studies indicate.

Dr. Adolph Hutter, who is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said that the temperatures in a sauna or hot tub widens blood vessels and causes blood pressure to go lower.

Hot baths can give you the same benefits you get from your daily workouts. Although, you won’t shed the calories as quickly!

#2 Filling a Hot Water bottle

Using a hot water bottle is a convenient technique for heat therapy. Hot water bottles are great companions when you are chilling on the couch.

We often fill one up while watching our favourite television shows. A hot water bottle usually maintains its highest temperature for approximately twenty to thirty minutes.

There are several hot water bottles available on the market. Extra long hot water bottles are slightly different from traditional hot water bottles.

Cuddly Comforts’ stylish 72cm bottles get to those hard-to-reach places. The 2 litre capacity holds more hot water as well.

#3 Applying Heat Wraps

Heat wraps are most appropriate for chronic lower back pain. A heat wrap is an effective and convenient pain relief medication.

They are especially useful when you have to work at a desk all day. Here, lower back pain can become an issue. Simply apply a heat wrap under your clothes for some discreet warmth.

#4 Using gel packs

Heated gel packs are available on the market just like hot water bottles. They maintain their high temperature for approximately thirty minutes.

Some gel packs come with moist heat, which most people actually prefer.

#5 Have you tried an electric heating pad?

An electric heating pad is an effective method to manage pain. However, you have to be careful when using it. Start using it on the lowest level and then gradually increase the heat level.

Do not use it if the cord is broken or cracked. Moreover, it cannot be applied to damaged skin. It also comes in various sizes.

#6 Heated paraffin wax treatment

Sounds like a fancy option. It is, but also surprisingly effective. Paraffin wax is helpful at relieving pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other joint mobility issues. It provides lots of benefits to your joints.

When it comes to deep heat to ease pain and stiffness, it’s hard to beat warm paraffin wax. Spas offer paraffin to soothe and moisturize the skin. You can get all these benefits at home by buying a portable paraffin warmer.
Arthritis Health

You can enjoy this treatment at home by preparing the following materials:

4 pounds of paraffin wax, food-grade
Double boiler
Measuring cup
Mineral oil
Greased plastic container
Thermometer
Olive oil
Plastic bag, sealable
Towel
Timer
Tissue
Moisturizer

You do not have to spend as much money on pain relief. It’s always nice to save a pound or two. Something as simple as a hot water bottle can ease that pain away.

If you need to take the edge off persistent pain, or simply require some relaxation, heat therapy would be a very comforting idea.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified practitioner if you are unsure.

What are the benefits of using an extra long hot water bottle?

Since the 16th century, containers made of metal and filled with hot coals have been used to warm beds. The downside was always the risk of fire due to a stray spark or steaming embers catching.

Nevertheless, it is has proven to be very useful from then until now. We even covered the evolution of our favourite warming tool in a recent deep dive into the history of the hot water bottle.

Vintage Hot Water Bottles

We used to use the stone hot water bottles all the time “when I were a lad”. Glad you mentioned about wrapping them. I can confirm that bare feet and a bare hot stone bottle do not go well together!
Also be careful when you get out of bed in the morning that you don’t roll or push it onto the floor where it may break or even worse you tread on it!!! OUCH!!!
Perhaps you could investigate having your own modern/repro branded ones made for sale? We used to get replacement rubber washers from the local plumbers merchants & they do seem to be still available on eBay.
Keeping it Short and Simple (on YouTube)

Over time, its nature and purpose have of course been improved a lot. Unlike then, containers are currently made up of thermoplastic or rubber that can withstand and keep the heat for a longer period of time. Hot water bottle safety standards are higher.

Instead of coals, they are filled with hot water and sealed by a screw cap. Now, they are easier to use and more portable. Moreover, they are not only used as a relief during cold nights but also to ease aches and pains while helping to alleviate stress.

Hot water bottles for relieving pain

One of the most common uses of the hot water bottle is to ease body pains. These include colon problems, back pain, muscle pain, neck pain, or joint pain. It can also relieve stomach cramps due to menstruation.

Moreover, it is very easy to use. Put the water bottle on the painful part of your body. Then, let the heat gradually drift through your body, leading hopefully to instant pain relief.

Are you sleeping comfortably?

On very cold nights, an extra long hot water bottle can be used to warm the body. You can embrace it while lying down or you can put it beside you or inside the blanket to mitigate the coldness of the season.

You can sleep comfortably without the need for a heater that will only increase your electricity bill. We love saving a few pounds, plus the longer hot water bottles stay warm for hours.

Man Sleeping — Comfortable sleeping is a must

Heat therapy for relieving stress

After a long day at work, you can put it on your forehead while resting or lying down to relieve the stress. This is also a good pain relief when you experience back and neck pain due to prolonged sitting in the office.

A cover with loop and tie string makes for the perfect travel companion

Since it is portable, it is a good travel companion. Whether for a long flight or road trip, it is better to carry a hot water bottle. You might get cold or numb due to a longer period of travel. Who knows? You never know when you will need it.

Take your hot water bottle on outdoor activities

While watching your favourite sport or hanging out with friends outside on a cold day, a long hot water bottle is a very good companion.

You can tuck it in inside your jacket, and then you’ll never worry about the cold again. It is also good to carry around when camping. There’s a good chance that it will be cold at the camp site, therefore a hot water bottle can be used to warm the body.

You can continue talking and relaxing with your buddies without being bothered by the coldness.

At night, you can put it inside your sleeping bag, snuggling beside it to be able to sleep comfortably. When it is no longer warm, you can use empty out the water and re-fill.

Unfortunately, the water is unlikely to be reusable as it will be rubber infused, so no good for making tea or washing up with.

use a hot water bottle on a camping trip — Hot water bottles are good for camping

Easing muscle cramps and pains

After an intense physical activity like working out in a gym or playing sports, a hot water bottle can be used to treat sore muscles. It will prevent them from hurting too much the next day.

Coughs, runny noses, and colds are very common during cold nights. You can put the hot water bottle on top of your chest to help you breathe more freely and sleep comfortably. Maybe smear a touch of Vicks VapoRub on as well?

You never know what you can get from a very simple solution. Let one of our extra long hot water bottles do the hard work. Remove inconvenience, relax after a long day and enjoy that soothing warmth. Truly, a lot of benefits can be derived from an easy and convenient hot water bottle.

How do you make a hot water bottle?

Do It Yourself: Reusable Hot Water Bottles

Hot water bottles are great because they help ease neck pain, back pain and muscle aches. Generally, they reduce stiffness on muscles and joints.

There are a variety of types across the market. Prices vary from the very basic PVC budget options to Sri Lankan rubber, cashmere cover beauties.

Indeed, sometimes you may a want cheaper alternative to keep yourself warm. That quick fix to apply heat to a painful area. There may come a time when you don’t have your extra long hot water bottle at hand, but need its warming impact in an emergency!

OK, emergency might be a bit strong, but when you become used to a hot water bottle it can be difficult to get by when it is not around.

Many stores sell such hot water bottles or heating pads, but it’s actually easy to make a stop-gap alternative at home.

Option # 1: ‘The Microwaved Wet Dishcloth’

One way is using a wet dishcloth, as suggested by a user from Reddit. Soak a wet dishcloth in warm water. Then, place the warm dishcloth in a microwave-safe freezer bag. Heat it in a microwave for 45 to 60 seconds intervals until it is steaming hot.

As the author of that Reddit thread revealed: “I am told that hot water bottles are good for menstrual cramps. This takes about 5 minutes to get ready and works pretty well if you don’t have an actual hot water bottle around.”

After microwaving, wrap the dishcloth in a towel and apply it to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. You can also put the dishcloth first in a zip lock bag before wrapping it in a towel.

Warning! Always approach any hot water or heat-based treatment with extreme caution. That’s why we are always so insistent on promoting our safety guides at every possible opportunity.

We want you warm and safe, not….you guessed it…injured.

Option # 2: ‘Oven-Heated Towel’

There is also a way to make a handmade hot water bottle by putting a damp, folded towel in an oven. Set the oven’s temperature to 300°F (149°C) and leave the towel in for 5 to 10 minutes. You can leave it on longer, but don’t burn it.

Happiness is a warm bath and a soft towel
World of Wall Art

However, the timing will depend on the thickness of the towel.

When it is warm enough, you can now wrap the towel in a thinner, dry piece of cloth, and use it as a heating pad.

Option # 3: ‘Recycled Socks’

Reusable heating pads can also be created out of fabric or old socks. To make this, fill a clean cotton sock (old or not) with a cup of either uncooked rice, dried lentils, salt, or dried beans.

Don’t pack the grains or lentils too tightly, and allow some room so it can easily move to the area to be treated. Once done, tie the end of the sock with a piece of string.

You can also tie the end of the sock instead, to keep the grains from spilling out.

Heat the filled sock in the microwave for about 45 to 60 seconds or longer, depending on your microwave.

Once heated, you can now apply the heated sock to the affected area. To use it as a cooling pad, just place it in the freezer for five minutes.

Option # 4: ‘Bean bags’

Using beans or grain-filled heat bags is an environmentally-friendly alternative to hot water bottles. These can be used as hot water bottle alternatives by heating them in a microwave for no longer than 45 to 60 second intervals, or until you’re happy with the temperature.

These can be reused multiple times and can be stitched up again if they have a hole or one of the seams has blown. Like recycled socks, these can be used as cold compresses by freezing.

Sitting on a bean bag — These bean bags are a bit big

Option # 5: ‘Metal or Plastic Bottles’

For campers, it is hard to always bring excess baggage. In this case, you can use a metal or plastic bottle instead of a hot water bottle.

Just fill it with warm or hot water and wrap it in a sock or towel and you can now place it on the affected body part.

It’s not advisable to fill plastic bottles, or even actual hot water bottles, with boiling water. Why not you may ask….

Because they can melt and break down instead of working as an alternative to hot water bottles.

Heat = good.

Damaged plastic = not good.

They can be safe to use as long as they are filled with warm or hot water, and wrapped in towels or cloths before applying.

These homemade alternatives, unlike hot water bottles, may not stay hot for a long time. Hot water bottles will be more useful if you’re looking for a heater that can be used overnight. This is because all of our hot water bottles are made of rubber, which retains hot water for a long time.

These alternatives can help and work pretty well if you are in a pinch or don’t have an actual hot water bottle.

Should I make my own hot water bottle?

Unless you know what you are doing and feel confident then the answer is no. Actual hot water bottles are made by experienced professional using high-quality equipment.

If you are in a bind or need a quick fix then attempt the above options with caution. However, nothing beats your Cuddly Comforts extra long hot water bottle for safe, effective heat therapy.