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We don't recommend you try to fix a damaged or leaking hot water bottle. Even a superficially damaged hot water bottle can deteriorate over time, which may lead to your hot water bottle bursting and you getting severely burnt. If the leak is coming from your cap, try purchasing a new one. Replace your item immediately if the damage is on the hot water bottle's body.
Why you shouldn't try to fix your hot water bottle
Hot water bottles are manufactured under very strict standards set by the British Safety Standard (BS 1970:2012). Whether made of rubber, PVC, or silicone, your hot water bottle is designed to typically last for 2-3 years, up to 5 years for some brands.
However robust your hot water bottle appears to be, wear and tear can occur over time. In some cases, these tears are superficial. In those cases, it is tempting to fix the leak using tape, or cement, as we’ve seen on the internet. This is not recommended.
It’s dangerous
We strongly recommend against trying to fix your hot water bottle yourself. The benefit-risk ratio is not in your favour; if the tape or cement doesn't hold, even a small tear can lead to a burst, and you’ll end up seriously injured.
In the event of a hot water bottle burst or a significant leak, your skin in contact with 80 degrees Celsius water will do more than tickle you. You're likely to end up in the emergency room, which we of course want to avoid.
You won’t have the proper equipment
In addition, unless you own hot water bottle-producing machinery, you won’t be able to replicate the production or reparation quality your manufacturer needed to follow to legally commercialize your hot water bottle.
What you can do instead of trying to fix your hot water bottle
Instead of trying to repair your hot water bottle, the best option is to dispose of it and purchase a new one. By the way, your old hot water bottle can be recycled! We are working on an article presenting options when it comes to recycling and upcycling hot water bottles (stay tuned!).
Remember to check your new hot water bottle adheres to the British Standard (BS 1970:2012).
How to prevent a hot water bottle from breaking
As previously said, hot water bottles are very unlikely to leak or burst if taken care of them properly. Here are a few basic rules when it comes to filling, using, and storing a hot water bottle.
Don’t fill it with boiling water: this will damage the material and lead to wear and tear faster (the water you pour into your hot water bottle should be 80 degrees Celsius maximum). Read our full article on why you shouldn’t fill your hot water bottle with boiling water.
Don’t use hot tap water (this will also damage your hot water bottle due to possible impurities in the water system)
Use a hot water bottle cover: this will minimize friction with other surfaces and protect the material (hot water bottle material is robust but can still get damaged over time)
Store it properly: your hot water bottle should be stored in a dark and dry place, without water residue and with the stopper removed (in your bedroom drawer or closet for example). Read our full article on how to store a hot water bottle.
We also drafted an article presenting hot water bottle instructions if you need a complete guide on how to make the best of your hot water bottle. We also recommend you read our article on how long hot water bottles last and how to make them last as long as possible.
Final thoughts
We hope we convinced you it’s unsafe to fix a leaking or damaged hot water bottle. We suggest you rather purchase a new one to be on the safe side. That being said, hot water bottles are robust and the odds of them getting damaged are small if you take care of them correctly.
Keep loving them and caring for them, and they’ll keep you warm and cosy any time of the year!
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