Why a cherry pit pillow? Warm clothing is often not enough to protect against extreme cold

The central factor in feeling cold is the core body temperature. In humans, it is around 37 degrees Celsius and is kept constant regardless of the ambient temperature. Unlike cold-blooded animals such as amphibians or insects, the human body has to work when outdoor temperatures differ significantly from our optimum.

According to scientific studies, this optimum is around 29 to 30 degrees Celsius when undressed. This is one reason why beach holidays are so popular with many people.

In autumn, temperatures are known to fall, and in winter they rarely reach double digits. There may be people who can still walk around effortlessly in a T-shirt at this time of year, but most people turn to warmer clothing. This prevents heat from being lost through the skin.

But especially in the evening, when you want to relax on the sofa or fall asleep in unheated rooms, many people know the shivering that suddenly comes over them. It occurs because we are no longer moving, the room temperature drops, and we generally do not go to bed wearing a winter jacket even when the window is open.

So in winter we reach for a hot-water bottle or grain pillow to bring warmth directly to our bodies for a while. Whether hot-water bottle or cherry pit pillow, these practical heat containers can also help loosen tense muscles or relieve stomach ache. Their primary purpose, however, remains combating the cold.

Continuous temperature control

Responsible for the human body's heat balance and the maintenance of a largely constant body temperature are around 30,000 cold receptors and 3,000 heat receptors in the skin, abdomen, and spinal cord. They all continuously check the current actual temperature and compare it with the target temperature.

When the receptors detect a drop in body temperature, the body reacts immediately. Blood vessels in the fingers, hands, feet, toes, nose, and ears contract and narrow. More blood is directed toward the inside of the body, where it stays warm and supplies the vital organs.

We notice this process particularly unpleasantly when our feet refuse to warm up even under the duvet or our fingers remain ice-cold despite wearing gloves. A hot-water bottle or grain pillow provides relief. The heat emitted by these heat containers penetrates deep into the tissue and pleasantly warms hands or feet within a very short time.

The temperature of hot-water bottles or cherry pit pillows also stimulates circulation, which we immediately feel as warmth. At the same time, increased circulation also has a relaxing and calming effect, making it easier to fall asleep.

Knitted fabrics provide good heat transfer, especially in combination with a hot-water bottle or cherry pit pillow

Hot-water bottle or grain pillow – what is the actual difference?

Whether hot-water bottle or grain pillow, both provide pleasant warmth, relaxation, and comfort. Their main difference lies in how they are used. While hot-water bottles are filled with hot water, grain pillows are heated in the oven or microwave. The various fillings, such as grains, seeds, and pits, can all store heat and release it slowly.

Structure and materials of hot-water bottles

Hot-water bottles are usually produced in the typical bottle shape, with a rectangular body and a short neck. There are also special shapes for specific applications, such as tubular neck hot-water bottles for neck tension or foot warmers with integrated hot-water bottles. The hot-water bottle itself is made of flexible, waterproof plastic.

High-quality models are often made of natural rubber without plasticizers; these hot-water bottles retain their temperature for a long time and meet high quality standards. Hot-water bottles should also be made as a single piece to avoid weak points such as seams. The only opening is used to fill the water and should have a leak-proof thread. A TÜV seal provides information about a hot-water bottle's leak resistance.

Since the surface of hot-water bottles can become very hot, they are generally provided with a protective cover. Some manufacturers already supply their hot-water bottles with a soft cover. Hot-water bottles are available here in the online shop in various versions with covers made of fleece, velour, plush, or knitted fabric.

Before use, the hot-water bottle can also be wrapped in a towel, but a fitted cover sits more securely and does not slip during use. The cover also makes it more pleasant to cuddle with the hot-water bottle. This applies particularly to children's hot-water bottles, whose covers are designed as funny stuffed animals.

Hugo Frosch Classic hot-water bottle 1.8 L, knitted cover, pastel blue

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Sänger hot-water bottle 2L, with embossed cover, blackberry

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Sänger stuffed animal, 0.8 L hot-water bottle, zipper, Iwan the Bear

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The dried seeds or grains in grain pillows can store heat for a long time

Structure and types of grain pillows and their fillings

Grain pillows consist of a completely closed pillow, into which the filling of pits, grains, or seeds is sewn. Some versions have an additional cover, while others consist only of the simple pillow. For children, there are grain pillows whose covers are designed like stuffed animals. A wide selection of different shapes is also available.

In most cases, grain pillows are cherry pit pillows, but spelt grains, rapeseeds, rye, wheat, millet, flaxseeds, or grape seeds are also suitable as fillings. The filling of grain pillows not only stores heat for a long time but often also gives off a pleasant, subtle fragrance that contributes to relaxation.

Since the grains are loosely filled into the pillow, many cherry pit pillows can conform flexibly to the shape of the body, be placed around the neck, or wrapped around the feet. Another major advantage of cherry pit pillows over hot-water bottles is, of course, that handling hot water is unnecessary.

Behrend cherry pit pillow, cherry motif, 17cmx17cm

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Sänger cherry pit pillow, funny animal cover, Christopher the Crocodile

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Sänger cherry pit neck pillow Boa, velvet texture

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Filling hot-water bottles correctly

Hot-water bottles are never filled completely, but always only half filled. The water should be hot but must not be boiling. Boiling water creates water vapor in the hot-water bottle, but there is not enough room for it. The vapor expands the bottle and, in the worst case, can cause it to burst. Severe burns may result.

So how hot should the hot-water bottle be when filled? Experts recommend filling hot-water bottles with water at around 60 degrees Celsius. A lower temperature should be chosen for babies. In this case, 40 degrees Celsius is sufficient. The best way to achieve this is not to bring the water fully to a boil in the kettle or to let it cool for a few minutes after boiling.

Alternatively, boiling water can be mixed with cold water. After filling the water, press the remaining air out of the hot-water bottle before firmly tightening the screw cap. This prevents the hot-water bottle from cooling down more quickly.

When preparing a hot-water bottle, pay attention to the water temperature and filling volume

What should you bear in mind regarding hygiene with cherry pit pillows and hot-water bottles?

Hot-water bottles are emptied after use and hung upside down to dry. The covers can easily be removed and washed in the washing machine.

As a general rule, the plastic of a hot-water bottle is heat-resistant, but it can become damaged with frequent use. Hot-water bottles should therefore be replaced regularly.

For grain pillows with an extra cover or stuffed-animal cover, these can usually also be cleaned in the washing machine without any problems. However, the pillow with the grain filling should not be washed. There is a risk that mold may develop.