The daisy wheel on a hot water bottle is the date of manufacture, not an expiry date.

The ‘2-3 year rule’ regarding replacing a hot water bottle within this timeframe applies only AFTER FIRST USE and NOT from the date of manufacture.

A hot water bottle made in 2023, for example, that has never been used should still be safe if it's been stored properly and doesn't show any signs of damage. However, that's not to say that a more recently manufactured bottle has no chance of splitting or leaking, or that any bottle with more than two to three years use will definately be unsafe.

Hot water bottle manufacturers suggest that the manufacturing date isn't relevant and shouldn't be viewed as an expiry date. It’s suggested to go by the date the bottle is first used and always check bottles for visible signs of wear or damage before first use and at regular intervals thereafter.

All our hot water bottles meet British Safety Standard BS1970:2012, and come from trusted manufacturers who also supply to large high street chemists and other major retailers; our stock is replenished regularly, so you can feel completely confident when choosing to purchase a hot water bottle from us. 

How long a hot water bottle lasts before needing to be replaced depends on how often you use it and how it's stored.

Tips for safe use of your hot water bottle

• Before first use: fill with cold water to check for leaks or cracks. If no leaks are present then you can fill the bottle to two thirds capacity with boiled water from a kettle that’s has been allowed to cool (never use boiling water or water from the hot top, as this contains impurities which can compromise the integrity of the rubber).

• After use: empty the bottle and hang it upside-down to drain. Make sure it's totally dry before putting away and store with the stopper removed in a cool, dry, dark place, either upside down or flat. Don't place anything on top of the bottle.

Other articles you may find interesting: 

> Hot Water Bottle Do's & Don'ts

> Hot Water Bottle Safety Standards

As well as a rest and relaxation aid or source of warmth, they have been used as a versatile holistic remedy for many years and are known to aid a variety of ailments, providing effective relief quickly and without effort. Wheat bags can be used anywhere on the body due to their rectangular shape and because they're only partially filled with natural grains that can move freely, they have the flexibility to mould themselves to the contours of your body area. 

Traditionally filled with wheat and lavender buds or lavender essential oil, which for some, can enhance the soothing experience, more options are now available without lavender, appealing to those with allergies or a dislike for the scent, and offering availability of use to a wider audience. 

Wheat bags offer an array of possibilities as both heat therapy and cold therapy and are always at the ready when you need. 

Wheat Bag Heat Therapy

We've all suffered with neck pain from poor sleep posture, post-exercise aching muscles, cramps, stress and fatigue, which can be easily remedied with soothing heat therapy. For people suffering with conditions such as arthritis or poor circulation, heat therapy from a wheat bag can provide some respite and pain management, without the need for medication. This is because heat not only relaxes our msucles, it boosts blood flow to the area being treated which has a reparative effect. Alleviating discomfort in this way has a positive impact on our mental wellbeing too. 

Wheat Bag Cold Therapy

The symptoms and effects of migraines, fever, sprains, swelling, bruising and bumps can all be diminished with the application of cold therapy, which  primarily works by reducing inflammation and pain in an area by constricting blood vessels; it essentially numbs the area by slowing down nerve signals, thereby reducing pain perception. 

Another considerable advantage of wheat bags is that they're eco-friendly; made from all natural materials, they're completely sustainable and reusable, making them a preferred alternative to electrically operated or disposable thermo-therapy packs. All in all, wheat bags are convenient, adaptable, multi-functional, affordable and a must have for every household for on-demand ailment relief. 

Heat Treats has an extensive range of wheat bags and heat packs, with over 200 designs to choose from priced between £6.95 up to £29.95, including regular shaped patterned and plain cover wheat bags, wheat bottles, novelty heat packs and our unscented collection. 

Find out more about wheat bag do's and don'ts here! 

After winning 'Best Independent Accessories Brand 2023' in the Northern Enterprise Awards this February we’ve now been voted by Luxlife Home & Garden as…‘Best Heat Packs & Hot Water Bottles Brand 2024’.

Share in our success with an exclusive Discount

By way of thanks for helping us achieve recognition, we’d like to invite you to enjoy 15% OFF the winning product range.

Discount applies to heat packs & wheat bags, hot water bottles, heatable toys, heatable slippers, hot water bottle foot warmers & luxury warming gifts.

• Simply enter coupon code HGW15 at checkout
• No limit to how many products you can buy
• No restriction on how many times you can use the code
• Valid until the end of August 2024

Why not stock up to get prepared for Autumn/Winter or start Christmas shopping early.

View our winners page here

We're over the moon to have received this fantastic award for Best Independent Accessories Brand 2023! 

Thank you for voting. https://www.sme-news.co.uk/winners/heat-treats/ 

Awards Coordinator Kaven Cooper commented on the success of this year’s mighty programme and our winners: “The Northen Enterprise Awards are a shining beacon of light for businesses and a chance for us to celebrate the strengths of the North. I know our followers will be delighted to learn more about our winners and how they achieved their greatness. Congratulations to our awardees, and I hope 2024 is every bit as successful – if not more!”

The aim of this programme is the same as ever – to highlight the heroic impact made by the best of the best within their sectors, as they aid their individual clients and customers in a plethora of ways, enriching their surrounding communities. 

Ultimately, our Northen Enterprise Awards are an amalgamation of fine companies and people who, individually and collectively, elevate our experience of business in the North of the UK – and beyond! They influence the rest of the country with their dedication to excellence, devotion to client satisfaction, and awe-inspiring stories of success. 

As the colder months approach, we start to think about ways of keeping ourselves warm, especially now, with the current surge in energy costs, without racking the central heating up!

Fleece is a soft, insulating synthetic wool fabric generally made from polyester or PET; it has some of natural wool`s finest qualities but weighs a fraction of the lightest available woollens. Fleece fibres are made by a chemical reaction between petroleum and its derivatives. This bi- product is heated and spun to make thin threads which are then manufactured into fabric. After being brushed, it has a pile surface on both sides, allowing air pockets to sit between the threads and hold more warmth.

Wearing fleece garments and fleece lined footwear is a sure way to keep yourself cosy and comfortable, so to make certain you get the warmth factor right, you need to get to know your fleece.

There are several types of fleece fabrics, each with different performance properties and visual appearance which are reflected in the price you should expect to pay.

Here, we’ve compiled a few facts for you to compare when considering buying anything made of or lined with fleece, starting with the thinnest to the thickest types of fleeces available.

Micro Fleece 

oth fleece and microfleece are warm, moisture-wicking, lightweight, breathable fabrics with microfleece being a little more breathable and moisture-wicking than regular fleece due to the thinness of the fibres. Occasionally, fleece can be made from natural materials, but you will seldom find microfleece made from anything other than polyester, nylon, or acrylic.

In terms of which is better, that’s down to personal preference; if you just want to stay warm, synthetic fleeces are perfectly suitable, but if you want to stay warm in especially inclement weather, microfleece may be the better option.

Polar Fleece

olar fleece was one of the first forms of fleece made; created in 1979 by Malden Mills, polar fleece was a new, light and strong pile fabric meant to mimic and, in some ways, surpass wool.

Polar fleece is a low pile smooth fleece which is soft napped, lighter weight, soft to touch, easy to wash, and most of all, cheap. It can sometimes be difficult to tell the front from the back as the sides can appear identical.

Because it isn’t as heavy or bulky as other fleece fabrics polar fleece is often used as a lining to other fabrics, and in slippers. It’s especially good for spring and summer and is also recommended for babies and pets, outdoors and travel.

One downside is that polar fleece can pill after long term use and frequent washing.

Flannel Fleece

lannel fleece is ultra-soft, warm and comfortable! It is a heavier gsm than polar fleece, slightly thicker, but not bulky and has a plush, silky finish with no stretch.

Flannel fleece is anti-pilling too and is favoured for making comfort garments such as throws, bath robes and loungewear as it is so tactile to touch and relaxing to wear.

Flannel fleece wears well and is durable enough to withstand everyday use. It’s easy care and quick drying and recovers well after washing, so it’s a particularly good choice for the pieces you’re likely to wash more regularly.

Coral Fleece

oral fleece is thicker and has a higher pile than polar fleece; in layman's terms it's furrier than polar fleece. This appearance is what gives it its name (think coral poking up from the reef).

Coral fleece tends to be used primarily for blankets and baby items but in recent years has been used more for loungewear due to its fluffy texture. It has slightly more stretch than most polar fleece and doesn’t pill, but it can sometimes shed due to its furry surface.

Coral fleece tends to be more expensive than lighter weight fleece fabrics and is considered a step up or nicer fabric than polar fleece.

TIP: never use fabric softener when washing coral fleece as it will make the furry fibres stick together and it will lose its wonderful soft texture.

Borg / Teddy Fleece

org itself is a faux sheepskin like material, similar to shearling but is 100% vegan. It has a very soft feel, with a thick plush pile and bumpy texture. Anything with a borg lining is super warm due to its heat generating and retaining properties.

Its telltale characteristics are a short and thick, uneven surface that's incredibly soft to the touch. Though the fabric has long been used as a lining to parkas, it's recently been favoured as an all over fabric for coats, jackets and loungewear as it’s so comfortable; hence why it’s also known as teddy fleece.

Sherpa Fleece

herpa fleece is a type of stretch knit polyester fleece fabric designed to emulate the look and feel of sheep’s wool and is the heaviest and thickest type of fleece, mostly used for blankets, slipper linings and comfort wear.

Cosy and fluffy, sherpa's trademark is its super soft and luxurious texture; it’s the nearest eco and animal friendly alternative to real shearling fleece, making it the perfect choice for autumn and winter. 

You may have already seen our blog, ‘Foods That Keep You Warm,’ but our mission to keep you toasty this winter does not stop there.

Heat Treats has been investigating the top ways you can keep your home warm this winter, without having to crank up that expensive heating!

In addition to using some of our fantastic winter warmers, here are some tips on how to keep the heat in and the cold out of your home this season.

Take Advantage of a Warm Oven

Using the oven becomes much more commonplace in the winter months, as we ditch the salads for a nice slow roast stew and dumplings to warm ourselves through.

It is instinct after taking food out the oven to simply turn it off and close the door, however you may be missing out on some warming possibilities!

Once you’ve finished using your oven, turn it off but leave the oven door open. The warm air inside the stove will circulate around your kitchen and raise the overall temperature of the room.

Please note this should only be done once the oven is off and one shouldn’t turn on the oven simply for this purpose.

Invest in a Quality Rug

As well as being a beautiful accessory to a room, rugs can be extremely efficient in keeping temperatures warm when the weather outside is far from so.

Be sure to pick a rug that is particularly dense in stitch count. Open or woven stitching allows much more air to pass through but tight stitching minimises the circulation of cold air.

Wool is certainly the best material to help combat the cold, however a thick cotton or nylon is a suitable and cheaper alternative.

Get Savvy With Your Hot Water Bottle

One might think that hot water bottles are simply for snuggling up with on a cool evening on the sofa, but if you get savvy with it you can use them for so much more!

Place a couple in your bed an hour or so before sleep time. Be sure to tuck them right under the sheets and tuck the sheets in to the side of the bed to trap all the warm air. By the time you come to bed, it will be ready and warm waiting for you!

We have an amazing range of hot water bottles available here.

Exclude All Drafts

Where there’s a will, there’s a way and that is certainly the case with cold air. Any gap in your house is a sure-fire way to cool it down as cold air can manage to squeeze itself through the tiniest of gaps.

If you are struggling with sealing around your doors and windows but can’t afford replacements, try some cling film. Place cling film around the edges of your windows/ doors and heat with hairdryer to tighten the plastic to the frame to prevent pesky drafts from sneaking in.

Draft excluders are also a great investment. Not only are they practical and efficient, but they can be a great stylish addition to a room. Check out our amazing range here.

Create Your Own DIY Terra Cotta Pot Heater

Using just two terra cotta pots, a candle, a couple of bricks and a screw you can create an ingenious heating device which will warm up your whole room.

Screw a terra cotta pot inside a larger one and place on the top of some bricks just so they are not touching the ground.

Light some candles underneath the pots and the material will conduct hot air all around your room. You can watch a full tutorial here.

At Heat Treats, we are renowned for our eclectic range of slippers.

From a microwavable boot to a novelty gorilla, we are confident we could satisfy anyone in the world with a top-quality slipper.

Nonetheless, 900 years ago, one might not have been so happy to receive such a gift... 

Sinister Slippers

Slippers originated in the 12^th century. A rich sultan from Vietnam forced his concubines to wear them as a means of keeping the women captive.

They were soft, thin-soled and slippery to prevent them from escaping across the surrounding rocky terrain outside their harem (quarters specifically for the concubines.)

Slipper Origins

The word ‘slipper’ in English dates back to 1478, originating from the verb ‘to slip,’ presumed by the easy motion of putting on the garment.

However, ‘to slip’ could also mean ‘to strike or beat with a slipper.’ Slippering was a common form of punishment in schools for naughty children.

As late as 1980, a school in Liverpool issued 1,800 slipperings in a year!

The World’s Most Expensive …

Two of the most expensive pairs of shoes in the world are actually slippers.

Coming in at 2 million is a custom pair of Tom Ford’s, created by jeweller Jason Arasheben for America’s Got Talent host, Nick Cannon.

They took 2,000 hours to hand-craft and exhibited 14,000 diamonds set on white gold. The shoes had a staggering total carat weight of 340!

However, jeweller Harry Winston surpassed this with a replica of the illustrious ruby slippers featured in The Wizard of Oz. Unlike the movie originals which were made of sequins, the slippers boasted 4,600 rubies.

With 1,350 carats of rubies plus an additional 50 carats of diamond, the slippers were a fair commemoration of the film’s 50^th anniversary.

The Monster Slipper

One of the largest slippers in the world was actually made by mistake following a mis-read of a decimal point.

Tom Boddingham was surprised to receive a size 1,450 ‘Monster Slipper’ the size of a car when the manufacturer misread Boddingham’s bespoke order for a size 14.5.

The national papers quickly tore the story to shreds however, noting that ‘Tom Boddingham’ bore an uncanny resemblance to the company’s website manager. Cynics claimed it was nothing more than an elaborate PR stunt!

Slipper Etiquette

In Japanese homes, each family member will have two pairs of slippers. One is used for general wear around the house, but a separate pair specifically for when using the toilet.

It is considered bad etiquette not to change in and out of your specific slippers for every trip!

Inside Japan wrote, “accidentally forgetting to take off the toilet slippers after leaving the WC is pretty much the most mortifying thing you can do!”

The Slipper Man

Derek ‘The Slipper Man’ Fan holds the world record for the longest duration of time wearing slippers.

Fan’s achievement was verified by the Guinness Book of Records in 2007, clocking up 23 years inside the soft soles!

Slipper + Study = Success!

The world’s most successful exam taker credits his success to slippers.

The academic has an impressive 70 O-levels, 16 A-levels, an S-level as well as a degree under his belt and states that “it is important to have comfortable feet.”

Amazingly, research actually supports his statement. Studies have found comfortable clothing can have a profound effect on academic performance. There is correlation between formal/uncomfortable clothing in exams and lower than expected grades.

At Heat Treats HQ, all our staff are strong advocates of this. We each have our own pair of slippers, ready and waiting under our desks to slip into on a morning!

Hot & Cold therapy has been used for years as an effective holistic method to relieve pain, discomfort & soothe minor ailments.

We’ve all gone to the freezer for a bag of peas or filled a hot water bottle not to keep warm, but have you ever wondered how thermotherapy works, or which one you should use when?

There will be times when all of us have got it wrong, so hopefully this quick guide will answer the question – what does heat treat and when is cold the best remedy?

HEAT THERAPY

Heat therapy can help if you suffer from stomach cramps, tension headaches, sinus congestion and joint stiffness, chronic muscle pain & sore joints.

Applying heat to a sore area dilates blood vessels and promotes blood flow to the affected area; this helps sore, tight muscles & painful spasms to relax which eases away the discomfort.

Heat therapy can be applied in many ways, you can apply a dry heat compress to the affected area, use a hot water bottle or even take a hot bath.

COLD THERAPY

Cold treatment can help if you suffer from conditions such as osteoarthritis, gout, tendinitis, muscle strains and recent injury such as twisted ankle, knocks or falls that might trigger bruising and one you may not now about but could be a welcome relief if you’re a sufferer of migraines or sever headaches.

Cold treatment works in the opposite way to heat therapy; it reduces blood flow to an injured area which slows the rate of inflammation and reduces the risk of swelling and tissue damage. It can also numb sore tissue and slow down pain messages being sent to the brain so is great for immediate treatment of injuries or within 48hrs.

Cold therapy can be applied in many ways but must only be used in short bursts of no more than 20 minutes. One of the most effective ways to apply cold therapy is via a cold compress applied directly to the inflamed area.

Aroma Home’s range of therapeutic gel beads packs are great for both hot & cold therapy as they can be heated in the microwave as well as chilled in the freezer.

They’re soft and flexible for a great contoured fit around any area of the body; delicately scented with lavender, geranium and mandarin essential oils, they provide a relaxing aromatherapy experience too.

A must have for any household, they include all-purpose small packs, longer wraps for larger areas of the body and problem specific packs for knees, eyes & forehead.

View the full range here priced from just £8.95

Here at Heat Treats, we love our planet; it gives us with everything we need to survive and thrive, yet we plunder it's resources and disregard it's needs in favour of our own so we must take positive action now and going forward to protect and preserve our provider. 

We're looking for more and more sustainable products to offer and ways to supply them, so that we're doing our bit to look after our earth. 

As well as the usual ways a business can recycle, we already send a large number of products in recyclable packaging and we re-use cardboard and other packing rather than disposing of them and creating more waste. 

Look for this logo when shopping 

It's our intention this year and into the next decade to increase our use of packaging made from recycled materials that can also be recycled after use. 

We're also excited to introduce The Green Living Collection of blankets and throws into our range, and we hope to add even more similar recycled and upcycled products in the coming months. 

The Green Living Collection utilise reclaimed mixed fibres and upcycled plastic bottles (PET) and turn them into stylish and contemporary textiles for your home. 

They have a fantastic mission and we're proud to support them in their efforts to make a change. 

"Our mission is simple. We believe that living green doesn’t have to be difficult. With small changes we can all do our part towards creating a healthier planet. And if a lot of people do their small part, it begins to make a big difference.

We’ve developed a portfolio of beautiful home products that feel even better than their current counterparts, but also are designed from sustainable source materials that reduce impact on our planets’ resources."

Reclaimed Mixed Fibres Sourcing Process

Did you know that the UK currently generates 350,000 tonnes of textiles that ends up landfill? Textile waste is a growing issue in the today’s era of fast fashion.

We work with suppliers to reduce this impact.

By reclaiming waste yarns from factories and textiles, the fabrics can then be grouped by colour, treated and spun into new mixed fibre yarns.These yarns can then be used to create new products, giving them a second life versus ending up in landfill.

Upcycled Plastic Bottle (P.E.T) Sourcing Process

We believe in working to reduce the amount of waste in the planet. The UK currently uses an estimated 13 billion plastic bottles each year, each of which would take approximately 450 years to decompose.

We buy recycled plastic bottles that could otherwise end up in our rivers and oceans, and convert them into new yarns using eco-friendly processes. These recycled PET yarns can then be used to make beautifully soft throws, rugs and cushions.

Not only does this convert something potentially harmful into something beautiful and useful, it also helps to create a market and industry for better recycling versus allowing single use plastics to end up polluting our planet.

Check out the range here and do your bit to encourage change to the way we use our planet. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures and if the weather this winter is as cold as expected, you may just need to get creative for some frosty defences.

Putting on another jumper is fine, or cranking up the heating but sometimes the avantgarde methods can be the most effective!

Here are our top 10 unconventional hacks for this winter.

Wool inserts inside your shoes

Preventing your feet from getting cold is crucial to keeping warm in winter.

Rather than doubling up on socks, double up on insoles.

Take out the insole of your shoe to use as a stencil on a sheet of wool. Cut round it to create the perfect cosy insole.

Cardboard on your windscreen

One of the most dreaded tasks of winter; having to get up early to de-ice your car whilst you freeze over yourself.

Utilising an old cardboard box, you can save yourself the hassle. Place a piece of cardboard the size of your windscreen underneath your wipers.

Not only will this prevent the dreaded de-icing, but it will stop your windscreen wipers from freezing to the windscreen.

Tin foil behind your radiator

Heating your home in winter can be an expensive task. It is essential to make sure you maximise your usage.

Placing a sheet of tin foil behind your radiator can have astounding benefits.

The foil will reflect the heat back in to the room rather than allowing it to be absorbed by the wall for maximum warmth.

Use screws for traction

As long as you are wrapped up and cosy enough, a winter walk in the frost or snow can be a wondrous thing.

Nonetheless, there is always the risk of some pesky ice standing in your way.

A few short screws in the sole of your trainers (with less of a depth than that of the tread of your shoes) can massively help improve their traction for safe and sound strolls!

Make your own mittens

Before discarding your old sweaters, get creative! You can use them to make your own, perfectly sized mittens.

Using your own hand as a template, draw around the ‘stencil’ and cut it out.

Sew the two pieces together and you have your own, custom-made mittens!

Stop your jumpers from piling

The cold weather can be damaging for our clothing and you will often see your jumpers suffer from piling.

Using a razor, you can eradicate this easily by simply shaving them off the jumper.

The result? A jumper that looks good as new!

Get creative with the cat litter

If you are struggling to get your wheels turning in heavy snow, cat litter is the perfect hack for you.

Place some cat litter behind each of your wheels and start them spinning.

The litter will help your wheels gain traction and send you on your way!

Use your fan to keep you warm

If you have a ceiling fan, you may find it to be just as useful in winter as it is in summer.

Put the fan on the lowest speed and make sure it is spinning in reverse.

The mechanism will draw the cold air to the top of the room and help keep it warm!

Clear up your headlights

Steamed up headlights can be a real issue in winter and difficult to avoid.

Rub some toothpaste over your car headlights and rinse with warm water.

This will improve the clarity of your headlights which is safer both yourself and other road users!

Keep the fire burning

Keep your fire roaring this winter without going through an excessive amount of wood.

Orange peel is an excellent fire-starter and can help maintain flames for a long time, whilst leaving a much nicer scent!

The oil in the skin fuels the fires and releases less creosote than paper or wood.