Seal Hot Water Bottle? The 127 Detailed Answer

Cracked water bottles are a huge pain and can leave you with lots of unexpected messes to clean up. The best you can do is just buy a new one, but if you find yourself in a bind there are a couple of options. If you are looking for a longer term solution, apply some silicone sealant to the problem area. If you’re looking for a quick fix, use waterproof tape instead. Avoid using super glue as it’s not food safe and probably won’t work as well.

1. Do not use boiling water to fill your hot water bottle. Once the water has boiled, let it sit for a few minutes before filling your bottle. Filling a bottle with boiling water can cause splashes that can cause burns.

2. When filling your bottle, hold the bottle neck in an upright position and fill slowly to avoid water splashing back.

3. Fill your bottle no more than two-thirds full at a time.

4. ALWAYS deflate the bottle by gently lowering it onto a flat surface until water appears at the opening.

5. Tighten the plug sufficiently to ensure there is no leakage. Finger tight should be sufficient.

6 Hot water bottles should always be filled by a responsible adult.

Even a small leak is a big problem. Leaking caps are a problem whether they occur when your plastic bottles are being stored, shipped or placed on the retail shelf for sale. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the incidence of leaky packaging. Let’s break down some possible reasons why a cap leak occurs (and what you can do to prevent it).

5 ways to get leak-proof plastic bottles

Apply proper torque when capping bottle caps

One of the most common reasons for cap leakage is capping with either too much or too little torque. Each type of plastic bottle cap has a specific specified torque range to ensure a proper seal. Installing a cap with a torque outside of this range is a potential cause of future product leakage.

The reason undertorque can cause cap leaks is simple – the cap’s soft liner material is probably not sealing tight enough to prevent future leaks. Too much torque causes other problems. If you apply too much torque, the cap can strip the threads in the cap and cause the fastener to loosen. Excessive torque can also fold the cap liner inside the cap, allowing for product leakage.

The solution to these problems is two-fold: identify the correct torque and test your containers. Your packaging supplier’s engineering team can provide recommended tightening torques for your closures. There are also general industry standards. For example, a 28mm cap would typically use about 15 inch pounds of force.

Even if you follow manufacturer recommendations and industry standards, you should always test your plastic bottles and caps to be sure. A benchtop tool tester allows you to test any product bottle and closure combination. Once sealed, allow your containers to sit under slight pressure for 24 hours to ensure they are tightly sealed and not leaking.

Securely attach induction seals to plastic bottles

Another potential source of plastic bottle leakage is an improperly applied induction seal. An induction seal is arguably the best way to seal a plastic bottle for just about any type of product. These plastic inserts require an electromagnetic pulse to excite the molecules enough to heat the induction seal and attach it to the opening of the plastic bottle. However, improper use will pose problems.

As with the torque problem, too much or too little heat can cause leakage problems. Too short a sealing time will not fully and correctly apply the induction seal. Too long a sealing time will burn the seal, which can create pinholes in the liner that allow product leakage.

Just like with caps, manufacturers of induction seals can provide usage recommendations. However, you should still test potential sealing areas to ensure your bottles are properly secure. Once you’ve applied your induction seal, lay the bottle on its side for 24 hours to test. You can also do 10 trial seals at different levels to get a good range of potential leaks. By adding weight to the bottles standing on their sides, the security of the induction seals can be tested even further.

Avoid product and chemical intolerance

Some plastics and chemicals just don’t mix well. Harsh chemicals like acetone and fuel additives can damage your bottles and caps if you don’t use compatible materials.

Fortunately, packaging engineers are a great source of material compatibility information. These experts can tell you which closure liners are best for your fill products, especially if your chemicals are more aggressive.

Even with these recommendations, you should test your plastic bottle and closure combination to ensure your fill product is not causing packaging problems. By heating the filled bottles in a test oven, all chemical processes caused by aggressive chemicals are accelerated. This process will give you a better idea of ​​how your product may affect the cap liner.

Make sure the cap threads match the neck of your plastic bottle

A cap thread mismatch can definitely cause leakage problems in plastic bottles. There are different thread types for plastic bottle caps, but some caps are a better fit for certain types of neck finish. For example, a standard 38-400 cap has a single thread, while the 410 and 415 models have additional threads.

This potential for mismatched closures and vials is why groups like the Closure Manufacturers Association have standardized certain specifications. You can work with Pipeline Packaging to obtain specification drawings and ensure your cap threads match those on the bottle neck. Also see Pipeline Packaging’s Cap and Neck Finish Measurement and Compatibility Guide for more information.

Consider the possible stacking pressure on top of the plastic bottle

Even if your caps fit your plastic bottles perfectly, too much pressure on the bottle can cause problems in the future. Too much weight falling on the bottle creates pressure in your container. This overpressure stresses the weakest point of your package, which is usually the closure seal. Therefore, this pressure can cause the cap to leak or even burst completely.

As you might expect, you want to make sure that no pressure or weight on the bottle will break the seal. This problem often occurs when the corrugated boxes that bottles are shipped and stored in are not properly designed to take the weight of your containers, especially when there are pallet loads that are stacked two or three high. Pipeline Packaging can help you test bottles and cartons – especially in humid conditions.

Invest in leak-proof plastic bottles and caps for your products

When trying to find ways to prevent your closures from leaking, your packaging supplier can be one of your greatest assets. At Pipeline Packaging, our team can work with you to find the right closures for your containers. We can also perform packaging testing to identify potential issues before they become a costly problem.

Although using a hot water bottle may sound trivial, here are 5 easy to remember tips to help you get the most out of your hot water bottle and keep you safe!

Tip #1

Never sit, lie or put excessive pressure on a hot water bottle as this may cause it to burst. For bed warmth, it is advisable to place the hot water bottle under the duvet 5-10 minutes before entering the bed so that it is already warm for bedtime. Remove the hot water bottle before bed and never try to sleep on a hot water bottle.

Tip #2

To avoid burns and similar injuries, always use a hot water bottle with a lid, or alternatively wrap your bottle in a towel. Avoid contact with any part of the body for more than 20 minutes.

Tip #3

Never use boiling water with a hot water bottle as this can damage the stitching and increase the risk of injury if something goes wrong. You can use boiling water that has been cooled to a safer temperature. Also, do not use hot tap water if you can avoid it, as it may contain contaminants that can damage the bottle. Instead, you should use boiling water that has cooled to a safe temperature.

Tip #4

When not in use, make sure your hot water bottle is empty and the cap is removed. It should be stored away from direct sources of heat or sunlight. A cupboard, drawer, or wardrobe is ideal, but avoid ventilation cabinets, heater cabinets, or heat sources such as radiators. Persistent temperature fluctuations can affect the bottle.

Tip #5

Replace rubber hot water bottles every 2 years to ensure you always use a bottle that is safe and in good condition. Rubber degrades over time as part of a natural process.

We’ve put together a short video to demonstrate our tips:

A leaking water heater is not uncommon, and sometimes for reasons like showering, it’s not possible to diagnose and fix the problem without using the water first.

In most cases you can shower if your water heater is leaking, but it depends on the size of the leak. Typical water heater leaks at the drain valve, T&P valve, or supply lines usually leak only a small amount of water. If the leak is minor, you can safely take a shower before fixing it.

If one of these leaks is ejecting a large amount of pool water, it’s best to consult a plumber before continuing to use your water. But that’s not all there is to know about showering with a leaky water heater. I did some research and here is what I found:

Can you still use water if your water heater is leaking?

In most cases, if your water heater is leaking, you can still use your water temporarily. Most leaks are minor and don’t immediately affect your water usage. However, it is important to identify why and where your water heater is leaking.

First, if it’s not obvious that your water heater is leaking, it can help to do a little research to determine if your water heater is actually the culprit.

You could have other sources of water leaks in your home, including:

furnace drain lines

Drain lines for water softener

condensation

different plumbing configurations.

Before turning off your water, they suggest drying the area affected by the leak and then laying down dry paper towels or newspaper so you can see where the saturation is coming from over a few days.

If you need instant results, there’s also a quicker way to check if your water heater is really leaking.

How do you find a leak in your water heater?

Before finding a solution, you must first confirm that the leak is indeed coming from your water heater. If there’s a furnace drain line near your water heater, that’s also a possible culprit. It is best to check other possible water leak sources as well.

Once you’ve confirmed that it really is your water heater, it’s time to inspect it. The process is pretty simple. To find out where your water heater is leaking, first turn off your water supply and your power source to the water heater. After turning these off, you’ll need to drain the tank so you can inspect problem areas for corrosion, loose valve connections, or damaged pipes.

The steps to turn off a water heater can vary by type, make, and model.

Most water heaters have a built-in water shut-off valve, and if they don’t, you’ll need to turn off the main water faucet to your house. Next, make sure you turn off your electrical breaker for the water heater. Just go to your fuse box and locate the switch that says “water heater”.

If your unit runs on natural gas, you will need to locate your three-position (on, off, pilot) thermostat. Turn off the thermostat to shut off the gas supply.

If you have a typical water heater, the next step is to drain your tank. Your water heater has a drain valve at the bottom. Connect a garden hose to the valve and drain the water into your sump or floor drain. If you don’t have either, you may need to get creative with a bucket or other type of container.

After completing these steps, you are now ready to start inspecting your water heater. To save time, check the leak-prone areas first.

Where is my water heater leaking from?

Areas prone to leaks typically include the following:

1. Cold water inlet/hot water outlet hose

Possibly the simplest reason for a leaking water heater, loose hoses are an easy fix. The cold water inlet (inlet hose to the water heater) or the hot water outlet (outlet hose that carries hot water out of the water heater) may not be securely connected to the tank.

In this case, simply try to tighten the hoses at the connection point with a pipe wrench.

2. Drain valve

All standard water heaters have a drain valve. The valve, located near the bottom of the water heater tank, is used to drain water when you need to do repairs or regular maintenance.

To find out if the drain valve is causing your leak, make sure it is properly closed. If it is completely closed and there is still moisture around the actual drain hole, the valve may need to be replaced.

3. T&P relief valve

The T&P relief valve is a mechanism in your water heater that prevents your water heater from overheating and developing too much air pressure in the tank. Excessive heat and overpressure are dangerous conditions for your water heater as scalding and explosion can result.

If the T&P relief valve is not working properly, it is due to a faulty valve, a clogged valve, or too much pressure or high water temperature in the tank.

Read our Leaking Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve article if you want to determine if your T&P relief valve is working properly.

4. Internal tank

Most water heater leaks come from the water tank itself. If water is pooling under or around the bottom of your water heater, chances are your internal water tank is damaged.

Leaks in inner tanks are usually caused by sediment deposits. Failure to remove sediment from the tank will damage the inner liner through corrosion and cracking.

Unfortunately, if there is an internal tank leak, you will need to replace your water heater. Regular maintenance can extend the life of your appliance, but even the hardest-working homeowner will eventually find that they need to replace their water heaters.

Is it Dangerous to Have a Leaking Water Heater?

In most situations, having a water heater leak is not dangerous. Water heater leaks are common and most of the time they are an inconvenience, not a hazard.

However, there are instances when a leaking water heater can pose a more serious, potentially dangerous problem.

Suppose the amount of water leaking is significant or the leak is left unfixed for a long period of time. In this case, the damage could reach the floor, walls or other objects near the water heater. While not inherently dangerous, this damage can be very costly to the homeowner and pose potential health risks if mold grows from the leak.

Power cords plugged in near the water heater can pose a real hazard if the leaking water comes in contact with the cords or the outlets. Everyone knows that water and electricity don’t mix!

For more information on the dangers of a leaking water heater, see our guide to repairing a leaking water heater.

How long will a water heater last once it starts leaking?

Nobody knows how long a leaking water heater will last. A small leak can turn into a significant gush in days, hours, or minutes. The longer you leave the problem unresolved, the more likely the device is beyond repair and will stop working.

Assuming your water heater can cause minimal damage in the event of a major explosion. In this case, you may consider using an electronic leak monitor to alert you to water accumulation on the floor.

However, this approach is a gamble and is only recommended as a temporary measure until you fix the issue. Water can cause major damage and mold in a short amount of time.

The best way to avoid this situation is to maintain your water heater.

A leaking water heater means a problem with one or more of its components and the associated wear and tear. For example, if a faulty pressure valve is the source of the leak, the sides of the tank will be pressurized and will continue to crack. Inspecting and replacing the discharge valve can prevent leaks and costly repairs or damage.

Sediment build-up also plays an important role in the longevity of your water heater. When sediment accumulates in your water tank, there is an increased risk of the walls rusting and cracking. Once such damage occurs, it is difficult to know how long your water heater will continue to operate safely or efficiently.

Is a Leaking Water Heater an Emergency?

A leaking water heater is not generally considered an emergency. Water heater leaks almost always start out small, and you should have time to deal with the problem appropriately. You should consider it an emergency if the tank has ruptured, flooded or there is a risk of scalding.

The worst case scenario for a leaking water heater is a pressure build-up leak. If you think this might be the case, contact a professional immediately to assess the situation.

Final Thoughts

A leaking water heater usually doesn’t mean an immediate halt to your daily chores that require hot water. You can temporarily continue showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry while you work to fix the leak yourself, or hire a professional to fix the problem.

Although rarely dangerous, you should take care of a leaking water heater immediately to avoid needlessly replacing the unit or causing untold damage to your home.

step 2

Hold the neck of the bottle over a clean can to allow the can to catch dripping wax for easier cleaning. This method works well for sealing plastic bottles used in dry-content crafts like sand art or homemade bath salts. If you’re using wax to seal a project with liquid contents, you’ll need to spend more time layering the wax to create a bridge over the liquid in the bottle neck.

Pen 55 share 57 shares

Pete started a new job last year which results in him drinking a lot of water. Since there are no water wells where he works, he takes a liter jug ​​of water with him every day. He used a plastic bottle (which isn’t great…you know, BPA and stuff), so he mentioned he wanted a stainless steel bottle. Being the nice woman that I am, I bought him a stainless steel gallon water bottle for Valentine’s Day. Of course I took a plain white one. Why? Because right now, the hot trend is to decorate the water bottle with stickers.

I told Pete that as soon as he opened it, and it wasn’t even an hour later when he grabbed the stack of brewery stickers we’ve accumulated on our travels.

It’s a great way to take your favorite trips with you. Many hikers decorate themselves with hiking stickers and then take the water bottle with them on their next hike. Jetsetters buy stickers in gift shops. Nothing stops you.

Use stickers to decorate your water bottle

Affiliate links are included in this post and Drugstore Divas may earn a small commission if you use them.

This is the basic overview of what to do. See the end of the post for more tips on applying your decals and caring for the bottle after decorating.

Get a stainless steel water bottle.

The brand doesn’t matter, and neither does the color, to be honest. Just make sure it’s easy. Anyone who already has a design isn’t really going to fit.

Start grabbing stickers in your favorite places. Pete wanted to decorate his with brewery stickers and it was super easy for us. We have a lot of breweries in Wilmington, NC so it’s easy to collect stickers this way. We also stop at breweries when we’re on vacation, such as the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Asheville.

Then simply attach the stickers to the water bottle in any way you like.

Pete’s water bottle is a gallon, so it’s huge and has plenty of surface space. That means he can put a lot of stickers on it. If you have a smaller bottle, you may need to be a little more picky.

Tips for stickers on water bottles

When you go to the trouble of decorating your water bottle with stickers, you want to preserve your creation. So check out our water bottle sticker tips.

Best Water Bottle to Apply Stickers:

Any stainless steel bottle will work. Be sure to choose stainless steel over plastic because the stickers are easy to remove from stainless steel.

The most popular drinking bottles made of stainless steel are:

You could also get a generic stainless steel water bottle, although we found one of these brands to keep water and ice colder than generic brands we tried.

Are there special stickers for water bottles?

Vinyl decals are the best option for a water bottle because vinyl decals do not fade. You can also make your own using a vinyl cutting machine, allowing you to fully personalize your decals.

If you don’t want that, there are countless small companies that will make you custom vinyl decals. Visit the Personalized Vinyl Decals section on Etsy and you can easily create your own decals.

You can use traditional stickers and decals, but you run the risk of these fading from the water bottle if left in the sun or water dripped on them. I had this with my old water bottle. When I first applied the sticker it was a giant band logo on a rectangle. Eventually it became a plain white rectangle.

Stickers with a white background are not as pretty as stickers with a transparent background. Transparent means that the image is printed in the center and the edges around it are transparent. This way you only see the image, not a lot of white space. If your decals have a white background, you can trim the edges.

To put stickers on a water bottle:

You should first clean your water bottle and make sure it is free of dust or dirt. Soap and water can leave soapy residue and this film can ruin your project. So, it’s best to put isopropyl alcohol on a dry cloth and wipe down your water bottle with it.

This should go without saying, but be sure to read the literature that came with your bottle to make sure isopropyl alcohol is safe for your water bottle. We are not responsible if anything happens to your bottle.

Then wipe the bottle with a paper towel. Do not use a cloth as these can leave fibers behind.

Peel off the backing of the sticker to reveal the adhesive. Start by sticking one end of the sticker onto the bottle, then slowly work your way to the other end, taking care to smooth out any air bubbles along the way.

If you get an air bubble, you can point a hair dryer at the bubble and then use your fingers to push the bubble out of the rim. You can also put a tiny pinhole in the blister. The latter shouldn’t really affect your decal, but it’s not my preferred method as I would fix the hole.

How to protect stickers on water bottles:

When you go to the trouble of decorating your water bottle with stickers, you want to protect it.

Hand wash your bottle only. Do not wash your bottle in the dishwasher even if it is dishwasher safe. The bottle might be, but your stickers probably aren’t.

Try to keep your bottle out of the sun or rain when using stickers instead of vinyl stickers. The items may fade the decal.

You could use a food safe clear epoxy to cover the decals. I can’t stress this enough: it has to be food safe or food grade. If not, don’t use it to seal your decals. Don’t use ModPodge. While this would be great for applying stickers to a canvas, it is adhesive and not food safe.

Buy water bottle stickers online:

My mother is the biggest sticker collector. She uses them to decorate her clipboard, not a water bottle.

She gets a lot of these from the national park visitor centers, which are basically a gift shop for the park. You can buy travel stickers online at the following stores:

Free Water Bottle Stickers:

To make your life easier, I am listing the free travel stickers that I can find below:

Remove stickers from water bottles:

To remove the sticker, start at a corner (or end if it’s a circle) and pull until the entire sticker is removed.

If any glue remains, you can easily remove it with Goo and glue remover.

Wash your bottle with isopropyl alcohol on a dry cloth to remove any cleaner residue, then wipe the isopropyl alcohol off with a clean paper towel.

More ways to decorate your water bottle:

If you’re looking for other ways to decorate your water bottle, check out our Paint Pour Water Bottle tutorial post.

Have you decorated your water bottle with stickers? Let us know in the comments!

Great posts to keep reading:

Disclosure: We may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

There are several reasons you might want to seal a plastic food container. Perhaps you are starting a gourmet grocery business or want to keep groceries safe after the seal has been broken. This post will discuss some hacks and tricks to seal plastic food containers using tools you may already have at home. We’ll also discuss professional tools you can buy to make sealing easier for long-term food storage or your personal business.

There are several ways to seal plastic food containers. Here are some ideas, tricks and tips.

Induction Sealer – requires a machine.

Reuse a plastic water bottle to reseal plastic bags

Use a heated knife to reseal a plastic bag.

Use an iron to seal or reseal aluminum foil to plastic.

These are some methods of sealing plastic containers. Most of them involve using heat to create the seal, except for the plastic water bottle method. We will discuss how to perform all of these methods and what tools you will need. You may already have everything you need in your home. Read on to learn more about plastic containers, including why they are used and how long they can be used.

How do you seal plastic food containers?

Some of these methods work for plastic bags, while other methods are for harder plastic containers. Here we give details of each method and what you need to complete the seal.

induction seal

This method is for hard plastic containers and will not work for plastic bags. This requires an induction machine and creates a professional seal that is the best option for a gourmet grocery store. The machine works. They must have caps or tops with seals on the inside of the cap. Twist the cap on the container. Place the induction sealer over the cap and within seconds the seal is applied to the container.

Induction sealer for tamper evident seals

Click here to buy this induction sealer on Amazon.

Reused water bottle

This only works for sealing plastic bags. First, cut a plastic water bottle in half horizontally. Store the top of the water bottle with the lid on. Take off the cap. Thread the top of the plastic bag through the water bottle’s spout and fold over. Remove excess air from the bag. Place the cap back on the bottle to create a seal.

Use an iron

An iron can be used to seal aluminum foil to plastic. This method works for plastic bags or containers. Foods like yogurt come with a foil lid to preserve freshness. If you have a foil lid, you can reuse it. Otherwise you can use your own aluminum foil from your kitchen. Place the foil over the opening of the container and run the iron around the rim. The iron should only touch the foil and never the plastic directly.

When sealing a plastic bag, the first step is to fold a piece of aluminum foil on either side of the opening. Remove excess air before using the iron. Without touching the plastic, run the iron over the edges of the foil to create a seal.

Sunbeam 1200 watt iron

Click here to buy Sunbeam 1200 Watt Iron on Amazon.

Use a heated knife

This method works to seal plastic bags. Heat a knife with a lighter. You can use a butter knife or a sharper knife as long as you have a cutting board. Remove excess air before sealing. After heating the knife for about 20 seconds, use the knife to cut a straight line horizontally to remove the top of the bag. This creates a seal at the intersection.

Why is food stored in a plastic container?

Plastic, like most kitchen utensils, is non-reactive, and plastic is the cheapest of the non-reactive materials. Copper, aluminum, and cast iron are all reactive, meaning food can taste metallic as compounds from the material leach into your food. Acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, and vinegar should only be cooked with non-reactive materials. Plastic containers are great for storage, but don’t put hot food in plastic containers. Many plastics contain BPA and other compounds that can leach into food when heated.

While plastic is the easiest to stack in your cupboards and the cheapest to buy, you should learn about the benefits of other food storage containers. Each storage material has advantages and disadvantages. It depends on how you are going to use the containers. Will you keep things in the fridge, freezer or closet? Will you store acidic foods in these containers? For more information on the best containers for food storage, see this post Is it better to store food in plastic, glass or stainless steel?

Do Airtight Containers Keep Bugs Out?

Using airtight containers keeps bugs out of your food. These include the smallest and most common kitchen pests such as weevils, moths, mites and fruit flies. If you find bugs in your airtight container, there’s a problem. One possibility is that the lid is not fully closed. The other possibility is that microscopic eggs were already in your food before you put it in an airtight container.

What Plastic is Safe for Food Storage?

Plastic has a numbering system to indicate which chemicals are used in processing. The FDA approves plastic numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 for food contact. Plastic #3 and 6 are not FDA approved for food contact. While there are five options for food-grade plastic, according to the FDA, three are always considered safe. The best plastics for food storage are numbers 2, 4, and 5. Plastic number 7 may contain BPA, which can get into your food in small amounts. The FDA states that it is not enough to be classified as harmful and still considers it safe for food contact.

Food storage containers with lids

Click here to buy food storage containers on Amazon.

How long should you keep plastic containers?

When purchasing storage containers, check the manufacturer’s replacement guidelines. Ziploc plastic containers have a lifespan of 5 to 10 years. Maybe you want to reuse plastic containers from your grocery purchases like butter, whipped cream or another product. While some of these containers may be safe to reuse, many are not designed to be reused. If the container is plastic #2, 4, or 5, it is safe to reuse. All other plastic numbers are not safe for reuse. Look for signs of wear and stains on your plastic containers to determine if you should replace them.

Are Ziploc bags airtight?

Ziploc bags form a tight seal but are not airtight. The grooves snap, but there are tiny gaps between the grooves that allow air to get in over time. You can increase the efficiency of Ziploc bags by removing all air from the bag before sealing it. One trick is to zip the bag all the way up except for the last 1/2 inch. Then submerge the bag filled with food in a bowl of cold water. Be sure to keep the opening above the water to prevent water from entering the bag. This trick gets the last bit of air out of the bag so you can seal it the rest of the way. Read more about using Ziploc bags for food storage in this post. Are Ziploc bags airtight? [And how to make them]

Ziploc storage bag with handle and seal

Click here to buy Ziploc bags on Amazon.

Finally

Plastic food containers can be sealed in a variety of ways. You can get an induction sealer that creates a professional gourmet presentation. You can use your clothes iron and aluminum foil to create a tight seal. Another option is to heat a knife with a lighter and cut open the plastic bag to create a seal. Plastic containers are widely used to store food because they are cheap and non-reactive. Plastic codes 2, 4, and 5 are the safest food storage choices, but the FDA also considers 1 and 7 safe for food contact.

How to seal plastic bottles with induction sealing from MHO Containers

Many food products, such as condiments, require foil seals to lock in freshness, prevent product leakage and protect products from tampering. For example, our empty spice jars are sold with lids and foil seals.

But you might be wondering: How do you actually seal plastic bottles? How do we attach the sealing film to the bottle?

The answer is simple: heat induction.

Induction sealing is the process of using induction heating to create a permanent bond between the foil seal and the plastic container. The result is a tamper evident closure that is airtight and secure.

How does induction sealing work?

In induction sealing, a foil sheet is placed under the cap of a bottle or jar. A heating head from an induction sealing machine is then placed over the cap and heated without contact.

This is completely non-contact as contact heat would likely melt the lid and glass.

The head creates an electromagnetic field that heats the foil under the lid. When the foil is heated, a coating on the underside of the liner melts. This molten sub-layer then combines with the pressure of the closed lid to form a hermetic or airtight seal.

Ultimately, the foil liner adheres to the bottle or jar and must be removed before the product can be used by the customer. For this reason, it is often referred to as a tamper evident or tamper evident seal.

Do you need an induction sealer to seal bottles?

Yes, you do an induction seal to properly stick the foil seal.

Luckily, portable heat induction devices are fairly affordable, which would be a good investment for any small business, small spice company, or DIY enthusiast looking to expand.

How do you test induction seals?

Testing foil seals can be difficult without a high tech seal tester. However, there are a few methods you can use to test your seal for leaks, including:

Visual Check – Make sure the seal sits flush on the top of the bottle. Look for gaps or places where the liner has folded back, creating an opening.

Make sure the seal sits flush on top of the bottle. Look for gaps or places where the liner has folded back, creating an opening. Squeeze Test – If the seal passes a visual check, try to gently squeeze the bottle. The seal should remain in place with no movement. Squeezing the bottle will reveal if the liner is not properly bonded in some places.

– If the seal passes a visual inspection, try to gently squeeze the bottle. The seal should remain in place with no movement. Squeezing the bottle will reveal if the liner is not properly bonded in some places. Flip Test – You can also try turning the bottle upside down, which is especially useful when dealing with a liquid. This will reveal possible leaks.

Finally, if the seal does not adhere properly, you can remove the failed seal and repeat the heat induction process.

What are the advantages of foil seals?

Foil seals offer numerous benefits to food and beverage brands, cosmetics companies, and many other consumer goods companies. For example foil seal:

Inspire consumer confidence – Foil-sealed bottles for food or cosmetics immediately increase brand awareness. The perception of the quality, safety and freshness of your product will increase.

Foil-sealed bottles for food or cosmetics immediately increase brand awareness. The perception of the quality, safety and freshness of your product will increase. Product Your Products – On a number of products, an airtight seal seals in freshness and prevents leakage.

For a number of products, an airtight seal seals in freshness and prevents leakage. Help comply with regulations – Some consumer products require security seals. This type of seal can help you comply with all food safety regulations.

Shop our foil sealed jars and condiment containers

MHO Containers offers a comprehensive range of wholesale bottles, jars and plastic containers. Our foil sealed spice bottles include screw caps and foil tops. All you need is an induction heater to seal it properly.

step 2

Hold the neck of the bottle over a clean can to allow the can to catch dripping wax for easier cleaning. This method works well for sealing plastic bottles used in dry-content crafts like sand art or homemade bath salts. If you’re using wax to seal a project with liquid contents, you’ll need to spend more time layering the wax to create a bridge over the liquid in the bottle neck.

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Pete started a new job last year which results in him drinking a lot of water. Since there are no water wells where he works, he takes a liter jug ​​of water with him every day. He used a plastic bottle (which isn’t great…you know, BPA and stuff), so he mentioned he wanted a stainless steel bottle. Being the nice woman that I am, I bought him a stainless steel gallon water bottle for Valentine’s Day. Of course I took a plain white one. Why? Because right now, the hot trend is to decorate the water bottle with stickers.

I told Pete that as soon as he opened it, and it wasn’t even an hour later when he grabbed the stack of brewery stickers we’ve accumulated on our travels.

It’s a great way to take your favorite trips with you. Many hikers decorate themselves with hiking stickers and then take the water bottle with them on their next hike. Jetsetters buy stickers in gift shops. Nothing stops you.

Use stickers to decorate your water bottle

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This is the basic overview of what to do. See the end of the post for more tips on applying your decals and caring for the bottle after decorating.

Get a stainless steel water bottle.

The brand doesn’t matter, and neither does the color, to be honest. Just make sure it’s easy. Anyone who already has a design isn’t really going to fit.

Start grabbing stickers in your favorite places. Pete wanted to decorate his with brewery stickers and it was super easy for us. We have a lot of breweries in Wilmington, NC so it’s easy to collect stickers this way. We also stop at breweries when we’re on vacation, such as the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Asheville.

Then simply attach the stickers to the water bottle in any way you like.

Pete’s water bottle is a gallon, so it’s huge and has plenty of surface space. That means he can put a lot of stickers on it. If you have a smaller bottle, you may need to be a little more picky.

Tips for stickers on water bottles

When you go to the trouble of decorating your water bottle with stickers, you want to preserve your creation. So check out our water bottle sticker tips.

Best Water Bottle to Apply Stickers:

Any stainless steel bottle will work. Be sure to choose stainless steel over plastic because the stickers are easy to remove from stainless steel.

The most popular drinking bottles made of stainless steel are:

You could also get a generic stainless steel water bottle, although we found one of these brands to keep water and ice colder than generic brands we tried.

Are there special stickers for water bottles?

Vinyl decals are the best option for a water bottle because vinyl decals do not fade. You can also make your own using a vinyl cutting machine, allowing you to fully personalize your decals.

If you don’t want that, there are countless small companies that will make you custom vinyl decals. Visit the Personalized Vinyl Decals section on Etsy and you can easily create your own decals.

You can use traditional stickers and decals, but you run the risk of these fading from the water bottle if left in the sun or water dripped on them. I had this with my old water bottle. When I first applied the sticker it was a giant band logo on a rectangle. Eventually it became a plain white rectangle.

Stickers with a white background are not as pretty as stickers with a transparent background. Transparent means that the image is printed in the center and the edges around it are transparent. This way you only see the image, not a lot of white space. If your decals have a white background, you can trim the edges.

To put stickers on a water bottle:

You should first clean your water bottle and make sure it is free of dust or dirt. Soap and water can leave soapy residue and this film can ruin your project. So, it’s best to put isopropyl alcohol on a dry cloth and wipe down your water bottle with it.

This should go without saying, but be sure to read the literature that came with your bottle to make sure isopropyl alcohol is safe for your water bottle. We are not responsible if anything happens to your bottle.

Then wipe the bottle with a paper towel. Do not use a cloth as these can leave fibers behind.

Peel off the backing of the sticker to reveal the adhesive. Start by sticking one end of the sticker onto the bottle, then slowly work your way to the other end, taking care to smooth out any air bubbles along the way.

If you get an air bubble, you can point a hair dryer at the bubble and then use your fingers to push the bubble out of the rim. You can also put a tiny pinhole in the blister. The latter shouldn’t really affect your decal, but it’s not my preferred method as I would fix the hole.

How to protect stickers on water bottles:

When you go to the trouble of decorating your water bottle with stickers, you want to protect it.

Hand wash your bottle only. Do not wash your bottle in the dishwasher even if it is dishwasher safe. The bottle might be, but your stickers probably aren’t.

Try to keep your bottle out of the sun or rain when using stickers instead of vinyl stickers. The items may fade the decal.

You could use a food safe clear epoxy to cover the decals. I can’t stress this enough: it has to be food safe or food grade. If not, don’t use it to seal your decals. Don’t use ModPodge. While this would be great for applying stickers to a canvas, it is adhesive and not food safe.

Buy water bottle stickers online:

My mother is the biggest sticker collector. She uses them to decorate her clipboard, not a water bottle.

She gets a lot of these from the national park visitor centers, which are basically a gift shop for the park. You can buy travel stickers online at the following stores:

Free Water Bottle Stickers:

To make your life easier, I am listing the free travel stickers that I can find below:

Remove stickers from water bottles:

To remove the sticker, start at a corner (or end if it’s a circle) and pull until the entire sticker is removed.

If any glue remains, you can easily remove it with Goo and glue remover.

Wash your bottle with isopropyl alcohol on a dry cloth to remove any cleaner residue, then wipe the isopropyl alcohol off with a clean paper towel.

More ways to decorate your water bottle:

If you’re looking for other ways to decorate your water bottle, check out our Paint Pour Water Bottle tutorial post.

Have you decorated your water bottle with stickers? Let us know in the comments!

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