How can I reuse or recycle … old hot water bottles?
A suggestion (and photo) from Jill:
I have a pile of old hot water bottles lurking in the cupboard beneath the sink in my bedroom. Some have actually leaked, others have simply started to perish – but none of them are fit for their original purpose i.e. to warm my bed!
The trouble is, I just can’t bear to simply throw them away in the bin – it seems such a waste.
I have never seen a recycling centre with any facilities for rubber products.
Any suggestions as to what else I can do with them, as the pile continues to grow !
Ideas then?
Ol rubber bottles blown half way up are wonderful exercise aids… for airplanes… to stop dvt.
And also for exercise sitting in a chair. Think about it.
Also stuff and cover and use as foot rests
Depening on how thick the rubber is, you could cut a square out of one of the sides and use it as a grip for opening tight jars or as a non-slip mat under plant pots or that sort of thing.
I have seen one up on a wall in a decorator magazine. It was in an urban minimalist type loft. Kind of used as a modern sculpture. Sorry best I could come up with.
Cut out shapes and glue to the bottom of a bath tub.
Cut out the top, attach handles and use as a bag.
Fill with tap water and place under a plant. Water will sip out slowly.
Cut horizontally only one side to make a pocket for storage. Hang on a wall or a door.
Fill it with bits of old cloth/foam and make a kneeling pad for gardening.
they’re great ideas! i like the bottom one even though i don’t garden:)
Depending on the type of rubber I’d say puppy teether?
In the early hours of this morning my trusty old hot water bottle finally succumbed to the ravages of time and developed something of a fatal leak. To spare me the guilt I would undoubtedly feel just throwing it in the bin, I Googled my way to this site for recycling ideas……..and I’m so pleased I did!
The kneeling pad idea is great. I could have used one yesterday when I was on the floor painting skirting boards. Thanks for this idea. It has reprieved my hwb, given it a new lease of live, and saved it from ending up in the dustbin
Not sure if anyone checks this site any more, but here goes.
The kneeling pad is a great idea. I made it into a cushion for my dad to use on his boat.
You could also cut a palm sized circle from it. Attach it to an old glove and make a pet hair remover mitt.
how many are you going through to have an ever growing pile? if only used in the winter surely 1 good quality one will do at least 5 years if treated well, no?
Hot water bottles are dated – see flower-petel style symbol on collar – 12 petals represent the months of the year of manufacture (braille can be confusing but you can usually find the appropriate dot,) the the no in the centre represents the year of manufacture. Some bottles are a year or more old before you buy them as shops are selling old stock. When I have queried this I invariably get “…oh … I don’t know…” Usually bottles are only guaranteed for 3 years from manufacture meaning if it’s old stock, that guarantee may only be valid for 2 years etc. Find another source which sells more bottles or keep receipt for proof of date of purchase.
My HWB just gave up the ghost last night. Honestly I think we’ve had it for 20+ years so I can’t complain. So old it doesn’t have the flower petal code on it, altho I wish it did cos I would love to know how long it actually lasted!
Great ideas, thank you
Kneeling pad, modern artwork, teeth for puppies are my favourite