Even though we welcome summer days with open arms, hot, sweaty sleep routines are far from welcome in our lives. With high humidity and heat, it can feel impossible to get a good night's rest. But what can you do to change this?
After longing for hotter weather, we're often left rather regretful when it finally arrives and has us panicking, trying to keep the house cool without AC. Whilst sunshine is a welcome change, a heatwave will leave you wondering how to sleep in the heat to feel well-rested.
It turns out you can keep a bed cool by having some of the best sheets for temperature regulation. This simple change is a key solution to eradicating the problem of overheating, but what are the best sheets for keeping you cool?
What are the best cooling bed sheets?
When it comes to keeping your bedroom cool, choosing the right bed sheets that will regulate your temperature through the night is the best course of action. Breathable sheets are one of the best sleep aids for the summer months.
So what kind of bed sheets keep you cool? "Temperature-regulating bedding materials like moisture-wicking sheets go a long way in keeping your bed cool during summer nights," explains Hafiz Shariff, founder of sleep wellbeing company Owl + Lark. "Along with breathable mattress protectors."
He explains that lightweight, natural fibres like linen or bamboo promote better airflow and heat dissipation.
Hafiz continues, "Using this in combination with a cooling mattress pad or topper can provide you with a really refreshing surface to sleep on."
Chris Tattersall, sleep environment expert and Managing Director of Woolroom, says if you want your room to feel like a luxury hotel and be cool, then linen is definitely the way forward.
"I would always suggest utilising natural fibres wherever possible in your sleep environment. When considering bed sheets, this means opting for fibres such as organic cotton or linen," he starts.
"Not only do these create the feeling of a boutique hotel in your own home, but they are also significantly more breathable – aiding with temperature regulation and moisture management, especially when used with wool-filled bedding," continues Chris.
Chris Tattersall is a Sleep Environment Expert and has been developing and selling sleep-related products since 1997. Since 2012, Chris has been Managing Director of Woolroom, developing the brand into the most recognised destination for natural and healthy sleep. In 2016, Chris worked with the Australian Wool Institute (AWI) and Campaign for Wool to look at the effects of wool on sleep. He also conducted work with Allergy UK in 2014 to study wool bedding’s impact on allergies.
Our favourite cooling bed sheets
RRP: from £139 | If you're looking to invest in a great night's sleep, then Piglet In Bed's linen range is the place the start. Whilst their linens are on the pricier side, their quality and style are unmatched. This sage green gingham style is new to their site and unbelievably charming.
RRP: from £110 | These bamboo sheets are incredibly cooling whilst also being hypoallergenic. They also have impressive environmental credentials and an unrivalled quality. You'll just need to get used to the slippery feel at first when you lie on them.
RRP: £119 | If you suffer from night sweats, these silk sheets are very similar to bamboo in their cooling powers. While they're a little more of an investment, our Homes Eccomerce Editor and product tester, Laura Honey, swears by them for cooling her while sleeping.
FAQs
Does changing your bed sheets for the warmer weather really work?
Similar to the ways knowing expert fan hacks can help with cooling your bedroom down more, changing your sheets to accommodate the warmer weather can make a huge difference.
"Natural fibres are essential when choosing pillowcases or sheets," says Georgia Metcalfe, founder and creative director at French Bedroom. "Cotton, linen, and silk sheets have breathable qualities which cool down your skin at night, as well as absorbing your sweat and drawing it away from you, helping it to evaporate."
The sheets you sleep in will have a significant impact on how you sleep, even down to their scent. She explains, "Lavender-scented sheets have the aromatic power to calm and aid sleep, so if you find yourself getting irritated at not being able to fall asleep, which in turn keeps you up for longer, these might be the dream sheets for you."
Can cooling sheets help with night sweats?
If you particularly struggle with night sweats, whether that's from peri-menopause, menopause, medical treatments, or simply just your body's regular temperature, then having specialist bedding can help.
"I believe bed sheets designed to keep you cool can be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing night sweats," says Hafiz. "The moisture-wicking properties of bamboo or linen sheets can help regulate your perspiration levels, keeping you dry throughout the night."
He also recommends combining these types of sheets with appropriate bedding and sleepwear; he says, "These sheets can almost instantly alleviate the long-standing discomfort associated with night sweats."
Our homes editor, Tamara Kelly, recently discovered how wool bedding can keep you cool, confident enough to say it's 'changed my life.'
What bedding is good for hot sleepers?
Along with the best cooling pillows, choosing bedding that's particularly good at regulating temperature will help if you're a hot sleeper.
"If you overheat, you often sweat too, so you need to look for bedding that is going to deal with both heat and moisture. You want to look for materials that absorb moisture quickly, which will take the heat and moisture away from your body," says Hannah Shore, Mattress Online's Head of Sleep Science.
"However, the materials also need to dry out quickly to give you the full relief you may need. There are natural fibres which do this, such as silk and bamboo; however, polyester fibres are also great at mimicking these qualities," adds Hannah.
Are bamboo sheets really cooling?
Should you be questioning the effectiveness of bamboo sheets, the experts are here to tell you they're certainly worth it.
"They are not cool to the touch, but bamboo naturally absorbs moisture and dries out very quickly, which can keep you feeling cooler and more refreshed. However, often bamboo is mixed with other fibres in bedding, so make sure you get a high quantity of bamboo in your sheets," explains Hannah.
She also recommends that you ensure the bamboo is not mixed with anything that could hinder these cooling properties, like cotton. Hannah points out that whilst this is a good moisture absorber, it can hold onto the moisture and make you feel clammy instead.
Why not invest in one of the best cooling mattresses while you're upgrading your summer bedding and a pair of the best pyjamas for night sweats? As explained above, using the two together gives your body an even better chance of cooling down and getting a better night's sleep.
As we've mentioned above, it's not only heatwaves that can make you feel too hot to sleep so cooling bedding is always a good idea to aid a comfortable night's rest.
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