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Original poster

To remind you all to throw out old hot water bottles

142 replies

Qwertyyui · 04/05/2024 22:16

I just learned the hard way that old ones do burst and boiling water actually can remove skin from your body! I never realised it could cause such damage and assumed if it happened I'd have a light red mark not a nurse peeling skin off my thigh! If it's more than 2 years replace it!

OP posts:
AliceKyteler · 05/05/2024 03:59

I made a huge mistake a few years ago with some older hot water bottles, I used them during a heatwave to cool down animals (put cold water in and freeze).
They do work really well (yes I am aware of cool mats) . Anyway I then used one as a hot water bottle again the following winter and the whole thing pretty much disintegrated as I put the hot water in, lucky for me I miraculously didn't end up burned.
What happened to me aside I think the problem is they are so cheaply made these days. The ones I had growing up were decades old.
Very sorry for your accident, hope it heals quickly.

WhereYouLeftIt · 05/05/2024 03:08

I use a modern hot water bottle, and one of these - the antique version, a 'stone pig'. The seal occasionally (10+ years) has to be replaced as the rubber hardens over time, but other than that it'll last a century or more! I wouldn't use them for a child, but for an adult they're fine.

They can be filled with boiling water.

Having a smooth surface, you can sort of skate them over your bottom sheet and take the chill off the entire bed quite quickly.

The surface becomes very hot, so protect your skin either by wrapping the pig in a thin towel, or I just wear bedsocks and then it's safe to have my feet rest on the unwrapped pig.

They'll only burst if you drop them on a solid floor!

You'll find them in charity shops, usually for about £5.

To remind you all to throw out old hot water bottles
HcbSS · 05/05/2024 02:42

Oh poor you OP! Burns are awful, I used to dread this with my gran (she would never use a cover and made it so hot).
I once had one disintegrate as I filled it. Fortunately I jumped back before it got me. Made a mess but didn’t get burned.

Densol · 05/05/2024 02:28

Ouch ! Sorry you've had that horrid experience
Thank you for the warming
Hope you heal real soon 💐💐

BadBones60 · 05/05/2024 02:14

As well as not using boiling water (which is clearly written on mine), the article linked above also says not to fill directly from the tap because the copper from the pipe can affect the rubber.
I am wary of some of the microwave ones (wheat bags) as heard they can combust.

Nat6999 · 05/05/2024 01:23

Someone I follow on Facebook had bad period pain, tucked a hot water bottle down her leggings while laid on the sofa. The bottle burst & she was scalded on her stomach, groin & thighs, she had to have several skin grafts & it took ages to heal, she was on morphine for weeks after.

User2460177 · 05/05/2024 01:09

I sat on one and it split about a year ago. I was ok tho - must have an asbestos arse.

Rainbowshit · 05/05/2024 01:06

That looks very painful. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Bringonthesunforthewashing · 05/05/2024 01:05

Hope you’re okay op.

Thank you, I am binning all ours tomorrow.

Get well really soon xx

CatchTheBalloon · 05/05/2024 00:44

That looks painful but you are not suppose to fill them with boiling water from the kettle

PickAChew · 05/05/2024 00:21

Ouch. All of ours are at least 10 years old and DH puts almost boiling water in them.

In the bin they go.

StormingNorman · 05/05/2024 00:14

How have I never heard about this before! Thank you for the warning; I will be replacing mine tomorrow…just shy of their 10th birthday 😂

Wishing you better x

Dweetfidilove · 05/05/2024 00:07

Mine's over a decade old. Never occurred to me they have a use by date 😬.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Plate24 · 05/05/2024 00:06

NotJohnMajor · 04/05/2024 23:31

Tip - when you buy a new one, write the purchase date on it with a marker - that will save you looking for flowers and so on and act as a reminder.

Annoyingly I actually ordered a new one recently from a big and reputable looking hot water bottle dealer on Amazon because I was feeling health and safety conscious and the one that arrived was manufactured 2 years ago, so probably still worth checking the embossed date. I would imagine the same would happen in small chemists, seems like the kind of stock that could sit around quite a while.

CrapBucket · 05/05/2024 00:05

Fucking hell - get well soon OP. I had no idea this could happen. Thank you for sharing and hope you have a quick and straightforward recovery.

ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 05/05/2024 00:02

Get well.soon and thanks for sharing.

I never heard of the expiry date thing but have just chucked two in the bin as a result.

BonsaiTeio · 04/05/2024 23:59

Get well soon OP.

I have some that have been barely used but are quite old - I guess they get binned tomorrow.

buffyslayer · 04/05/2024 23:56

I swapped to a heating pad, a plug in one

HyggeTygge · 04/05/2024 23:53

GanninHyem · 04/05/2024 23:45

As well as replacing after expiring the number 1 thing you should do is never use boiling water in them. I thought that was drummed into everyone? Can't stand hot water bottles they give me the heebies. Hope it heals well.

Yeah I put a bit of tap water in first then boiled (leaving it for a bit after it's boiled first too).

DiscoBeat · 04/05/2024 23:52

I didn't know you had to wait for the water to cool down, either - I usually just put boiling water straight in! Grateful for the advice.

DiscoBeat · 04/05/2024 23:50

That sounds so painful! Thank you for sharing. I had no idea - mine is at least 15 years old!

TheaBrandt · 04/05/2024 23:48

Get a decent electric blanket. Then you will never need one again

Mumoftwo1312 · 04/05/2024 23:48

Definitely second the advice to put warm not boiling water in. We started doing this since we started giving one to dd in the winter and it's actually much nicer anyway, doesn't feel too hot and you don't have to be so careful when filling it up

EggcornAcorn · 04/05/2024 23:46

God you poor thing.

Mumoftwo1312 · 04/05/2024 23:46

Wow, hope you are ok op.

One of mine is over 30 years old and I still use it daily in the winter! Maybe they were made more solidly back then? Anyway I'll bin it and replace it!