Hot water bottle alternatives

wort

I use microwave ones, they can get very hot and usually have a cover on them. Also I’ve got an electric back ‘brace’ that plugs in but can be left on as it straps around you . It was from lidl but sure you can buy anywhere

Floss

How long are you using your HWBs for, if they "always leak sooner or later"? The rubber perishes over time...

Nelliegrace

I have several vintage earthenware hot water bottles bought for about £5. I wrapped them in old towels and used them for the pets. I used them with cold water when the weather was too hot. I need to get plumbers rubber washers for them.

There are soapstones for heating, used wrapped in cloth like the old fashioned house brick which used to be stood by the stove.

A smooth stone could be heated in water, dried and wrapped. Stones can explode if they are heated on a fire.

goldfinches

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81977016#Comment_81977016

I have several stoneware hot water bottles in various shapes and sizes and instead of rubber washers I wind an elastic band round the threaded part of the stopper; I usually use the sort you get for free because the postie dropped it or the ones from asparagus or broccoli from the supermarket.

I also have an electric blanket and a heated throw which are invaluable during the really cold parts of the winter as well as one of those long thin hot water bottles that I found in a charity shop a few years ago.

Overall I can recommend the stoneware hot water bottles for holding their heat all night long and the electric blanket and throw for making the whole bed warm when you get in and keeping a consistent level of heat for your whole body.
If you're after something to keep you warm on the sofa look out for a heated throw that you can sit on (not all of them are suitable for this so read the details with an eagle eye), that is big enough to wrap round you loosely, is washable and that has a variable temperature and time control. There's some useful current information here to help you compare running costs.

General_Grant

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81975470#Comment_81975470

I agree with @QrizB . I know that straight forward rubber hotwater bottles are meant to be replaced fairly often (but not necessarily annually - I think there's now supposed to be some indication of this on the bottle itself) but I have a hotwater bottle bought from Boots about 13 years ago which is fine but I'm not sure what material has been used (it's not normal rubber which I think perishes).

loobytoo

You need one of these… https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4373145761

Slinky

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81979605#Comment_81979605

I've got a plastic Boots HWB that's over 30 years old.

cardiogirl

For some time now, I've been using a microwaveable heat pad sold for pets which stays warm all night. I originally bought one for my elderly grandad, bit soon after got one for myself & I highlyrecommend it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/bn_7023080293

highlander58

Microwavable beans in a fabric bag. Much safer than anything with hot water in it. Much easier to apply to aching joints. It’s quite possible to buy them with no lavender or other pungent smell in them.