The bedding mistake you could be making in a heatwave – and how to fix it

It's no secret that the minute the hot weather arrives, getting a good night's sleep is nearly impossible. With the sweltering temperatures and unusual humidity, our beds quickly become sweaty messes.

No matter what you do to keep your bed cool in the summer, once the heatwaves hit, it's nearly impossible to not be sweaty the second you try to go to sleep. Even when we ditch the duvet and keep our best cooling fans nearby, waking up feeling a little hot and gross becomes the new norm.

And whilst we'd recommend investing in some effective cooling bed sheets, if you forget to do this one thing, your sleep hygiene will only get worse; luckily, experts from Woolroom are here to explain how to avoid the mistake.

Are you making this bedding mistake during the heatwave?

Even when you've managed to avoid making any cooling mistakes in your home, your bedroom at night can still feel like a sauna, with an estimated litre of sweat being produced each night. And unfortunately, that means your bedding gets more wear and tear than usual.

"As we shed more sweat, dead skin cells and oils during the heat, the fibres that we sleep on are far more susceptible to taking on stains and odours, which accelerates wear and tear in your bedding," says Chris Tattersall, sleep environment expert and Managing Director at Woolroom.

"Additionally, allowing sweat to build up over time can boost the humidity in your bedroom, making it harder for excess sweat to evaporate and for your breathable fibres – like linen, cotton or wool – to work as effectively. This makes hygiene during and after a heatwave incredibly important for your sleep quality and overall health," he adds.

Not only is that a reason to have a dehumidifier in summer too, but it's also why it's so key to avoid the mistake of ignoring your bed's cleanliness.

To help you sleep in the heat and keep your best sheets smelling good, Chris has shared his tips for ensuring your bedding is as hygienic as possible.

"Bedding should be washed at least once a week during a heatwave. Your sheets, duvets, pillows and protectors must be cleansed of bacteria and dust mites before being used again. A hot wash at 60 degrees is the right temperature to eliminate bacteria build-up and pesky dust mites," he recommends.

Chris also points out that drying your bedding outside will make a huge difference, as fresh air and sunlight are better at dispersing residual moisture and odour than your dryer. Plus, it's much gentler on the fibres of your sheets, too. However, if you don't have outdoor space, there are plenty of ways to dry your sheets indoors without a dryer.

And whilst there are some great cooling bed tricks to try, Chris says that investing in good quality cooling bedding is the key here.

"The material your bedding is made from has a significant impact on your temperature throughout the night. Choosing natural, breathable, temperature-regulating fibres for your duvet and pillows will help you stay cooler while you sleep, meaning less sweat and bacteria will build up when it’s hot," he explains.

Ultimately, similar to keeping up with daily cleaning habits, your bedding needs to become a weekly priority when the hot weather hits. Post-heatwave cleaning is no longer negotiable.

Wondering what the best cooling sheets are? It can be confusing with so many types on the market, but if you stick with linen, bamboo, wool or cotton, you'll be well supported whilst you sleep.