Getting smell out of new hot water bottles

rosy

I bought four new hot water bottles from Poundland thinking I had a bargain but they smell so strongly of rubber they are making me sick. I thought it would disappear once they had been used a couple of times but no, they still pong despite loads of rinsing. I'm now thinking it was false economy and I'll have to go and buy the non-latex version from Boots at 7 times the price - but before I do I'm hoping someone here knows if there is any way to get rid of the smell without damaging the bottles, they are in the utility room at the minute and it's so bad the smell hits you as soon as you open the room door. Thanks in advance!

angeltreats

I don't know how to get rid of the smell, sorry, but maybe you could wrap them up in an old pillowcase to keep the rubbery smell in? I know my mum used to do that. I'm sure it does fade over time though.

Personally I like the smell of rubber but I'm just weird!

Viper_7

Can get hot water bottle cosies for them - this also prevents contact burning and makes their use much more comfortable.

How about rinsing/soaking in a washingup liquid solution - this will reduce the smell.
but it will go over time - but sure appreciate this could be some time off!

ladykath

Hi, I had a similar problem with new bottles I bought last year. The good news is that the smell seems to have disappeared after leaving them (filled with cold water) over the summer. I use tumble drier sheets around the house for freshening any unpleasant smells. Maybe one of these in a cover would work. Don't throw them away though, keep them (in shed if need be) and hopefully the smell of rubber will go.

anguk

Might be a daft idea but what about hanging them outside on a washing line, if you have one? A couple of days fresh air may help?

rosy

Thanks everyone - they are all already in fleecy covers ( smell still gets through! ) but I hadn't thought about a tumble drier sheet in with them, I'll definitely give that a go. I'll also try leaving cold water in them. Not a daft idea about hanging them outside either - in fact I'm going to do that now. Good to know that the smell does go eventually, ladykath - will try to persevere with them this winter!

Pollycat

Picked up this old thread 'cos my friend mentioned this problem yesterday with his new rubber hot water bottle.

Does anyone have any more ideas?

Thanks

Alialiali

I have x2 bottles, a half and a quarter standard size. Both were given as presents. That smell, it is not rubber. It is unlike ANY smell i have ever come across to do with water bottles. They never smelt like that. Its discusting, over powering and they seen to be saleable, so i "guess" this means they are not toxic? I tried washing them, putting them on the wash line, leaving them filled with hot water repeatedly, of course outside because they smell so badly, but none of those things worked. I have had the little one in open air, in house for possibly x2 years and it still stinks. My first advice is, dont buy one. Go to a reputable shop and check the smell before you buy. If they stink, complain to the seller. Yesterday, i used liquid Surf in hot water and submerged the bottles using filled drinking water bottles to hold them down. Then, x2 hours later i got them out. They smell a little less. I am now going through the process of filling them with hot water until cold, then repeating. I may take them for another good soak in the Surf. Soaking flannels or dish cloths in washing liquid makes the house smell nice. Its very powerful stuff. I also use it for floor cleaning. Its great:-)

katkin

I give ours a clean with star drops and a little squirt of shop brand Milton. Zoflora is good too and a nice smell.

Alialiali

I still cannot completely rid my hot water bottle of that toxic-like smell. I researched and have come up with a German hot water bottle brand called, "Fashy". Its supposed to be odourless and is made from thermo-plastic, suitable for latex allergy sufferers( no rubber) It is Phthalate free which is a plastics additive elasticiser that is banned for children under 3 years of age. Look it up. Makes for astounding reading. I wonder if that chemical is what makes the hot water bottles smell so badly. They never did smell like that did they. I have ordered a Fashy hot water bottle and i will update when i have used it.

C_Mababejive

Trade them in for an electric blanket