As the UK continues to bask in the heatwave, there is one clever trick to cool down your bed and help you sleep more comfortably at nightAlex Evans Deputy Audience Editor , Chloe Dobinson and Claire Schofield12:57, 28 May 2026Households in England are being advised to fill up a hot water bottle today (May 28) as temperatures of up to a scorching 32C in some parts of the country. Bank Holiday Monday officially shattered records for the hottest May day ever registered in the UK, and on Thursday the sweltering weather is expected to continue roasting Britain, with England particularly experiencing the most intense conditions alongside Wales, while Scotland and Northern Ireland see a slight cooling.‌The Met Office is predicting more blistering weather for England on Thursday with temperatures anticipated to climb around 30C-32C once more, particularly in the South East of England and London, while the UKHSA's Heat Health Alerts stay in force for all nine regions of England.‌The Met Office's forecast for London and the South East on Thursday states: "Largely sunny and dry this morning and becoming widely very warm or hot again, away from cooler and breezier coastal areas. Generally turning cloudier during the afternoon with scattered showers developing, these could be accompanied by some thunder at times. Maximum temperature 32°C."‌While the balmy weather is delightful during daylight hours, by nightfall it can make sleep rather uncomfortable with the heat making it challenging to drop off, leading to a frustrating night of tossing, turning and throwing the duvet off in a frantic bid to cool down.But you don't have to rely on running fans for hours on end to chill your room as all you need is a hot water bottle, reports the Express.‌Although the main function of a hot water bottle is to keep you nice and toasty, it can also be used to create the reverse effect if you fill it up with cold water instead.Simply fill a hot water bottle with ice-cold water and pop it in your bed just before you settle down to sleep, helping to cool your sheets and pillow.You can also press it against your skin to bring your temperature down, but remember to wrap it in a cover or tea towel if it's particularly icy, to avoid direct contact with your skin.‌To make it even colder, fill the bottle with cold water and place it in the freezer, though be careful not to leave it in there too long as it can damage the rubber, causing it to burst the next time hot water is added.So if you do put it in the freezer, ensure you only fill the bottle halfway rather than to the top, or simply keep one bottle solely for cold use and another for hot.Heat-Treats says: "It's simple; just fill your bottle with iced water, ice cubes or crushed ice. The bottle acts in the same way in reverse; instead of releasing warm heat it emits refreshing cold. Contrary to hot water which will gradually cool down, the icy water will eventually warm up until it reaches room temperature.Article continues below"Some people suggest that you can fill your bottle with cold water and then place it in the freezer to chill further, although it shouldn't be left for more than 20 minutes otherwise the rubber can become compromised and may rupture. The best plan is to have different bottles for heat filling and cold filling.“You can also use your cold hot water bottle for cooling down your sheets or pillow before you go to bed. If your bottle doesn’t have a cover, wrap it in a tea towel or pillowcase to prevent overexposure to the cold next to your skin.”This is backed by charity The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE). In its guidance, it says: "CSE’s Pete suggests filling your hot water bottle halfway with water and put it in the freezer a few hours before bed. Once frozen, it’ll emit cold in the same way that it warms you up if you use hot water."