A hot water bottle might be the last thing you think about when it comes to keeping cool during a heatwave, but one hack could turn the item into your sweaty season saviour
A hot water bottle could be your saviour in the hot weather this weekend.
The UK is facing its first heatwave of 2024, and many of us will have woken up this morning in a pool of our own sweat as the clammy night air took hold. But according to sleep experts, there is actually a bizarre item that could help you sleep better during a heatwave – a hot water bottle.
Traditionally used to keep us warm in the winter, the humble hot water bottle could be a lifesaver in the summer months too, and all you need to do is make one simple change. Swap out the hot water for ice cold water, and you’ve got yourself the perfect item to cool down your bed.
Experts at French Bedroom explained that putting a hot water bottle – or in this case, a cold water bottle – in your bed during the summer can lower your body temperature as you fall asleep, and it will make the sheets feel nice and fresh too.
If you want something to sleep underneath but not your usual big heavy duvet, why not opt for thin cotton sheets or choose a lower Tog-rated duvet of between 1 – 4.5 that will keep you cooler under the covers. Natural fibre bedding is also essential as cotton, linen and silk sheets have breathable qualities which allow your skin to cool down during the night, as well as absorbing your sweat and drawing it away from you – gross but handy.
When choosing a pillow, you could also think about replacing your snug, fluffy winter pillow with a firmer alternative. The head is one of the hottest areas of the body and a firm pillow will allow the heat to disperse easier.
Also, your trusty fan can be levelled up with a bowl of ice cubes – place the ice in front of the fan to achieve an air-con style experience. Alternatively try a cold wet flannel over the fan as this will have a similar effect.
Georgia Metcalfe, founder and creative director of French Bedroom said: “We love nothing more than those long, balmy sunny days, but those long sleepless summer nights come at a cost and can be a nightmare for millions. Creating the right sleep environment at this time of the year just requires a bit of careful planning and preparation, especially if the thought of buying an expensive air conditioning unit remains a distant dream.”
A version of this story was first published on 18th July 2022.
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