Silk is naturally cool to the touch, will help reduce sweat while you sleep, and give you a more pleasant night's rest. Less sweat means less oily hair and longer lasting blowouts, who doesn't want that? Reduced sweat also makes for better skin.
Silk is breathable and a natural temperature regulator that will keep you cool as a cucumber in the night. A good night's sleep is very much dependant on the ideal temperature. If you struggle with hot flashes or night sweats, the benefits of sleeping on silk are unparalleled.
As such, silk is prone to fading when exposed to direct sunlight, either indoors or outside. Even this best silk bedding will fade if left in direct sunlight. This is why we recommend always hanging your silk to dry away from the sun. Happily, your silk sheets should air dry very quickly, even indoors.
Moisture wicking: Alongside being an excellent temperature regulator, silk also has great moisture wicking properties, designed to keep you dry on even the warmest evenings; making it a great choice if you're prone to night sweats!
The issue isn't necessarily that silk makes you sweat more than other kinds of fabrics. But even though it's a light and flowy material, it's also surprisingly insulating! The very nature of the silk fabric is that it can cling to your skin, which can lead to uncomfortable nights if you're already feeling overheated.
Woven cotton or linen nightwear is ideal. Silk is especially good at helping you stay cool at night. Avoid nightwear made with synthetic fabrics – check the label if you're unsure. Cool down with a shower.
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.
Natural fabrics are the answer – they help skin to breathe easily. And silk, with its exceptional thermo-regulation and air permeability properties, can keep the body cool and comfortable during those dreaded night sweats. It becomes nicely warm when the weather gets cooler, too.
What type of sheets sleep the coolest? In general, sheets made from linen, bamboo, and Tencel offer the coolest, most breathable feel. Cotton sheets that feature a percale weave are also known for being exceptionally lightweight and airy, perfect for hot sleepers.
There is no evidence that silk makes you sweat. In fact, many people say that they don't sweat as much when they sleep on it. Silk is a fabric that allows air to circulate, instead of trapping heat and moisture. This makes it more breathable and comfortable to sleep in.
Which one you choose comes down to a few factors, like price and preference. "I like satin more because it's less expensive than silk, but it's also smoother than silk, reducing the friction between the hair strands and the pillowcase," says Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, Trichologist, Ph. D.
Silk pillowcases, like your other bed linens, come into direct contact with your skin every night, so it's important to wash them regularly — typically about every seven to ten days. To learn more about washing bed linens, check out this guide to washing and properly caring for bedding.
Fabrics to definitely stay away from include nylon, polypropylene, silk, acrylic and viscose — "pretty much any manufactured fiber," according to Sarkar. He says polyester isn't the best material to wear in the heat either, unless it's blended with cotton.
Before washing, soak your pillowcases and other linens overnight in warm water with oxygen bleach or Borax. Wash your pillowcases using the hottest water cycle and the correct amount of liquid detergent. Line dry your pillowcases outside in the sun for pillowcases that look and smell brand new!
Sometimes, it's as simple as sleeping in a room that's too hot or in pajamas that are too cozy. That said, night sweats can also be caused by medical conditions that need treatment. If you're sweating in your sleep often or if it's making your sleep poor, talk to your provider.
For people who get hot during sleep, choosing sheets made of bamboo, cotton, or linen — breathable fabrics that wick away moisture from the body and help maintain a comfortable temperature — can help.
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.
As previously said, condensation is the most common cause of a bedsheet feeling damp and having moisture on it. Warm air will quickly interact with cold air, resulting in condensation. The easy fix is to open the doors and let fresh air in to balance the temperature.
We recommend hot sleepers look for pillows made with breathable materials or enhanced cooling technology to keep them comfortable throughout the night. The Saatva Latex Pillow is made from organic cotton and latex, both naturally breathable materials that help prevent overheating.
Keep your bedroom cool and sleepwear light.
Adjust the thermostat, use fans, open windows (if it's cold outside), wear breathable pajamas and use lightweight bedding.
It is common for people to sweat in the summer, especially if their bed and sheets are not custom-made for regulating the temperature. As stated above, silk is an absorbent fabric that won't allow sweat to make you hot and uncomfortable.
Most people should wash their sheets once per week. If you don't sleep on your mattress every day, you may be able to stretch this to once every two weeks or so.
What is a hot sleeper? For those of you lucky enough not to have not heard the term, a 'hot sleeper' refers to people who constantly feel hot when they're in bed and struggle to cool down during the night. This can be incredibly frustrating and lead to a disruptive and uncomfortable night's sleep.
Coolness factor
Bamboo sheets tend to be cooler than cotton, making them ideal for those who tend to sleep hot.