There are some fabrics that are seasonal, and if you want to be comfortable year-round, you need to have sheets for both summer and winter. There are a lot of good sheets for winter to keep you warm, but when looking for something that will keep you cool during those warm summer nights, satin is the way to go.
Sleeping on satin, and especially resting your head on a satin pillowcase, means breathing in cleaner air. This makes it a hypoallergenic, i.e., a product that benefits those with allergies.
Several of the sleep experts I spoke to suggested linen sheets. According to Dr. Joshua Tal, a psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders, they are very breathable and “pick up cool air.” Oks says that since linen is made of a looser weave than, say, a cotton sheet with a high thread count, it traps less heat.
Satin sheets are cooler, and since they don't trap your body moisture, they do not get clammy or stick to the skin, thus allowing you to get better rest. Lastly, satin sheets do not retain dust, mites, or bacteria, which improves the quality of your sleep, as well as the air you breathe during the night.
Linen and cotton are both great options for hot, sweaty sleepers. Both fabrics are breathable (and therefore, cooling). "Fabrics like bamboo are breathable and cool, even in warmer seasons," Holliday-Bell explains.
Fabrics made from natural fibers are more breathable and cool than synthetics, whether used for bed linens or clothing. Natural fibers include wool, cotton, linen, and silk.
Bedding made from bamboo, eucalyptus, linen, or even cotton with a percale finish has natural cooling properties that will help hot sleepers stay cool and everyone else sleep well during hot weather. Just as you may flip your pillow to the fresh side, these cooling bed sheets will feel crisp to the touch.
The Disadvantages of Satin
Satin can be difficult to sew and work with because of its shiny, slippery texture. Satin can also snag, this because of the way the threads interlace, creating those longer runs in one direction.
The Pros and Cons of Satin
Satin is a long-staple material that's both luxurious to the touch and durable, but it does have disadvantages, including reduced breathability and challenging wash and dry instructions.
It's better to air-dry satin, but many items will tolerate partial drying in a clothes dryer at low heat. You can then finish drying them by hanging them up or laying them flat. But avoid high dryer heat or direct sunlight, as this can damage the fabric or cause discoloration.
Eucalyptus silk one of the best fabrics for night sweats, making it the perfect pick. Not only is it great at keeping you comfortable in any temperature, but it's also made with cool-to-touch technology that stays fresher for longer and keeps you snug and cosy without overheating.
“In terms of thread count, I am usually looking in the range of 200-400 for someone who is a hot sleeper, keeping in mind that there is quite a range based on the specific brand and materials,” says Mitchell. To make sure you stay comfortable throughout the night, avoid sheets that may slide around while you sleep.
In fact, natural fibers like cotton are known to be the coolest material to sleep in. However, cotton does have some flaws. It's not particularly good at providing insulation or wicking moisture.
As a man-made and often synthetic material, satin is non-absorbent. Silk is a moisture-wicking fibre that keeps you dry at night, while discharging sweat and oils. Satin is admired for its soft luxury and exceptional quality, but it doesn't quite match silk in terms of breathability and comfort.
Satin feels cool to the touch, whereas silk warms up with body heat. For those who prefer to sleep on a cool surface, satin is the better choice. Satin is easy to launder and will look beautiful for years. Silk's thin, delicate fibers usually require hand washing and hanging to dry, and will degrade over time.
Silk is naturally temperature regulating.
This is why silk sheets are great for staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As a petroleum based manmade fiber, satin lacks the natural breathability, absorbency, and comfort of silk.
Satin is a non-breathable fabric, which means it does not allow air to circulate freely. This lack of ventilation can cause some people to sweat more than usual.
There are some fabrics that are seasonal, and if you want to be comfortable year-round, you need to have sheets for both summer and winter. There are a lot of good sheets for winter to keep you warm, but when looking for something that will keep you cool during those warm summer nights, satin is the way to go.
Choose a detergent for delicate fabrics to wash silk and satin sheets. A gentle setting in cold water works best. Take care not to use any harsh chemicals that can damage the delicate fabric such as bleach, or fabric softener. Silk and satin sheets should not be put in the dryer, as heat may cause damage to them.
Satin. A long time ago, satin was made of silk. But now, it's mostly polyester and rayon, neither of which are breathable. So even though satin feels cool to the touch, it's not a good fabric for summer.
While silk and satin may feel or look similar, nothing quite beats the soft and smooth touch of 100% mulberry silk. For a luxuriously soft sleep, you'll love our Silk Pillowcase + Sleep Mask Set.
The fabric is smooth and falls dramatically, making it look luxurious and seductive when worn in the form of a gown. Satin weaves are flexible and are able to be formed around compound curves.
Use Cotton or Linen Bedding
We really mean it when we say there's nothing better than sleeping under crisp, cool 100% cotton bedding or lovely and light linen bed sheets. Cotton is a natural material and it's breathable. This means that it lets the cool air pass through; this makes it comfortable and durable.
Natural fabrics, especially cotton, are a safe choice for people with moderate sweating. Some synthetic fabrics are better for people with heavy sweating. Bamboo sheets are also a good choice, despite the hype.
Poosh is Kourtney's health and wellness lifestyle brand that helps followers curate a modern, wellness-focused lifestyle. In a YouTube video, Kourtney, 43, chose the Terracotta bedding set and seemed impressed that Bed Threads is a 100 per cent carbon-neutral and plastic-free brand.