by Nancy Seddens

Created on: March 29, 2010

There are few luxuries more economical or frugalities more comforting then a hot water bottle.   According to the song, everything old is new again and the hot water bottle is one of the latest examples of this. Every time the price of energy makes a sudden jump frugal minded individuals look to the past to see how their ancestors lived in the hope of finding a cheaper but not too inconvenient way to maintain the temperature of their home. For many the answer during winter was to turn down the thermostat, wear sweaters and pile blankets on the beds. The discovered that once the bed was initially warmed those extra blankets could keep them warm with the heat turned way down thus saving on their heating bill. The trick was getting the bed warm to begin with!

Getting a bed warmed up was an old problem which found a solution by the 16th century. Bed warmers made of metal and containing hot coals allowed the bed to be made nice and toasty before it occupants slipped between the covers. In the early 20th century Eduard Penkala made everyone’s life easier by inventing the rubber hot water bottle replacing metal, glass, and ceramic ones that had replaced the old time bed warmers. By the end of the century the demand for hot water bottles declined as central heating became more common and electric heating pads and electric blankets gained popularity.

For those who have never used a hot water bottle; you are in for a treat. A naked hot water bottle (without a cover or cozy) can be a good bed warmer before the bed is occupied while a covered hot water bottle will be both warming and comforting while you sleep. A hot water bottle is better for relieving inflammation then an electric heating pad because it slowly cools down. Heat applied for too long can have the opposite of the desired affect of reducing inflammation. Another advantage the hot water bottle has over the heating pad is that it can be used with a wet cloth to supply a damp rather than dry heat. Also while a leaky hot water bottle is annoying an electric blanket or heating pad that has been clawed or chewed by a pet can be deadly.

Special care must be taken when a diabetic or someone who is unable to communicate/move is using a hot water bottle. For those who have reduced sensation, are unable to move or unable to communicate distress should NEVER have a hot water bottle filled with water over 120 degrees because of the risk of being burned. Always make sure the stopper is properly screwed into the bottle and the excess air removed first. Taking out the extra air will create a weak vacuum that will help keep the bottle stopper from loosening.

A final warning concerning hot water bottles; no matter how many layers of covers are between the ‘hottie’ and the room, a cat can always find the spot where it’s at and will plop itself down on that spot. As a result of the cat’s laying on the hot water bottle the bottle will be in closer contact with you and what was pleasantly warm can become uncomfortable hot pretty quickly so make sure that it is well insulated or isn’t in direct contact with your skin.

With a little care both you and your cat or dog can enjoy the luxurious warmth of a hot water bottle while your furnace and pocketbook enjoy some relief.

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