Brits urged to use hot water bottles on Tuesday as temperatures set to soar

UK households are being advised to use a hot water bottle on Tuesday to ensure a good night's sleep as the scorching weather returns.

Despite experiencing some cooler temperatures this week and sporadic rainfall, the Met Office has forecast that the weather will start to heat up again from Tuesday, July 8.

The national forecaster predicts predominantly dry conditions for most of the country next week, with the weather becoming "warm or very warm once again, especially across southern parts of the UK".

In London, the mercury is expected to hit 26C on Tuesday, with temperatures predicted to rise steadily throughout the latter half of next week, reaching 27C on Wednesday and 28C on Thursday.

However, while the hot sunshine is perfect for daytime enjoyment, it can make nighttime sleep rather uncomfortable.

The heat can hinder your ability to fall asleep, leading to a frustrating night of tossing and turning, desperately kicking off the duvet in an attempt to cool down.

But there's no need to run fans for hours on end to cool your room - all you need is a hot water bottle.

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While the primary function of a hot water bottle is to keep you cosy and warm during those winter months, experts suggest it can achieve the opposite effect if filled with cold water, reports the Express.

In a heatwave, you can turn your hot water bottle into a cooling device by filling it with ice-cold water or refrigerating it before placing it in your bed to chill your sheets and pillow.

Hold it against your skin for an extra cool-down effect, but remember to use a cover or tea towel if it's icy to prevent skin contact.

For an even colder touch, fill the bottle with cold water and pop it in the freezer, but don't leave it too long as it could damage the rubber and risk bursting when next filled with hot water.

It's best to only half-fill the bottle if freezing - or keep one bottle exclusively for cold use and another for hot.

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Heat-Treats suggests: "It's simple; just fill your bottle with iced water, ice cubes or crushed ice. The bottle acts in the same way in reverse; instead of releasing warm heat it emits refreshing cold. Contrary to hot water which will gradually cool down, the icy water will eventually warm up until it reaches room temperature.

"Some people suggest that you can fill your bottle with cold water and then place it in the freezer to chill further, although it shouldn't be left for more than 20 minutes otherwise the rubber can become compromised and may rupture. The best plan is to have different bottles for heat filling and cold filling.

"You can also use your cold hot water bottle for cooling down your sheets or pillow before you go to bed. If your bottle doesn't have a cover, wrap it in a tea towel or pillowcase to prevent overexposure to the cold next to your skin."

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