The new hotties to get you steamy!
From holistic silk bottles to full-length body warmers — and even one you can use on your commute . . .
New Year revellers braved the chilly weather to ring in 2020, and keeping warm is not about to get any easier — or cheaper.
Average household fuel bills have soared to £2,707 a year, a 40 per cent rise since 2015, which has left many thinking twice about switching on the boiler.
So no wonder we’re turning to an old-fashioned solution. Hot water bottles are back — albeit with a host of clever modern twists to make them the perfect winter warmer . . . FOR ICY FEET
Vagabond Fleece Single Pouch Foot Warmer (£23.95, heat-treats.co.uk) UNIQUE SELLING POINT:
A heated slipper- shaped pouch to keep toes toasty. If You spend winter piling on pairs of socks, then this foot warmer is for you. The squashy pouch is heated by a hot water bottle which can be removed for easy filling, and heats quickly. The soft fleece cover insulates the bottle so you get a couple of hours of heat. use on the sofa, or to warm feet under your desk. FOR JUST-RIGHT WARMTH
Beurer HK44 Heat Pad (£29.99, argos.co.uk)
USP: An electric heat pad which has three temperature settings. we’ve All been roasted by a too-hot hot water bottle, then left chilly when it cools too fast. This lets you choose your level of warmth; level one is a gentle glow and level three is positively toasty. As the pad is mains operated, the downside is you can’t move around with it.
However, it is just the thing to slip between the bed sheets as an alternative to an electric blanket. It’s machine washable and has an auto switch which clicks off after 90 minutes for safety.
FOR LUXURY LOVERS
White Company Cashmere Hot Water Bottle (£42, thewhite company.com)
USP: Super-soft cashmere-covered hot water bottle. If AnYTHIng can cheer up a cold, dark evening, this will. Made from 100 per cent cashmere, this is not only wonderfully soft to snuggle up with, it’s also a natural insulator — so though the bottle is small, it delivers plenty of heat. not cheap, but scores high on luxe-factor.
FOR HEAD-TO-TOE HEAT
Aroma Home So long Hot Water Bottle (£19.99, bodykind.com)
USP: extra-long bottle. AT 28in, this whopper takes two kettles to fill. It could heat a side of the bed or snuggle up with it on the sofa. The length means you can wrap it around your stomach or back.
FOR OFFICE WORKERS
Bauer Professional neck & Shoulder Hot Water Bottle (£9.99, amazon.co.uk)
USP: Curved design to soothe neck and shoulders. FOR those who spend their week hunched over a computer — and have knotted shoulders to prove it — it’s worth taking a look at this. The curved design sits like a collar around the neck, gently warming aching muscles. Thanks to the soft fleece cover, it’s comfortable and doesn’t prohibit movement — I wore mine while cooking dinner. fill the rubber insert then zip on the washable cover. enjoy.
FOR MASSAGE FANS
Holistic Silk Silk Velvet Hot Water Bottle (£95, holisticsilk.com)
USP: lavender- scented bottle with velvet cover.
WITH an extra-wide neck for filling, this luxurious hottie comes with silk piping and velvet ribbons.
It also has a soft cotton-velvet lining and removable lavender sachet which gives a relaxing scent when heated — and with a £95 price tag, it better be pretty soothing. Bedtime has never looked so chic.
FOR SLEEPLESS TEENS
urban outfitters Huggable let’s Hang Sloth Heating Pad (£18, urban outfitters.com)
USP: A sloth- shaped microwavable design.
FILLED with buckwheat and lavender, you simply microwave this friendly chap for 60 seconds along with a cup of water. while the grains give the pad a soft bean-bag texture, the lavender produces a lovely, calming fragrance.
This doesn’t get quite as warm as a traditional bottle — but there is no risk of hot water spillages. never heat for too long in the microwave, though.
FOR TIRED TRAVELLERS
leesentec Silicone Hot & Cold Water Bag (£14.99, amazon. co.uk)
USP: An ultradurable bag that you can use hot or cold. If You’Re travelling, take a silicone hottie along. It’s compact and made from foodgrade silicone that’s seriously robust. It holds an impressive amount of heat — far more than you’d expect from a small bottle — and can be filled from the kettle or with cold tap water and then microwaved.
It can also go in the freezer to make an ice pack.
FOR GREEN GODDESSES
Hugo Frosch ecosustainable Hot Water Bottle (£24.99, hotwater bottleshop.co.uk)
USP: Recyclable and made from renewable materials. THIS rubber-free hot water bottle is made from 80 per cent renewable and recyclable materials. The slimline inner bottle is a little stiff to begin with, but once hot water is added, it softens up and is comfortable to snuggle up with.
Because it doesn’t contain PVC, there’s no rubbery smell, and a safety lock cap ensures no spillages. Heat lasts for a good couple of hours, aided by the insulating knitted cover.
FOR COLD COMMUTERS
Dunelm mini Snow leopard Hot Water Bottle (£5, Dunelm.com)
USP: Small enough to carry around with you all day.
FLUFFY, pocketsized and only £5, dunelm’s faux-fur hot water bottle makes for a cosy little companion. Commuters could slip it in a handbag or holdall and disctreetly warm their hands while waiting for the train or bus. The off-white furry cover is machine washable.
AND DON’T FORGET...
WHEN enjoying your hot water bottle, never use boiling water which can split the rubber — wait for the kettle to cool a little before filling.
only fill to three-quarters full and always use a cover to prevent burns. It’s recommended to change rubber bottles every two years, or when signs of damage appear.