Before you retire your hot water bottle for the year, try this great summer hack for cooling sheets. Fill your hot water bottle with cold water an hour or two before bedtime, and pop it in the freezer. Pull it out when you or the kids are ready for bed, and you'll have an instant cold-water bottle to cool you down.
There are a few different types of sheets that may be considered “cooling.” Some are simply made with breathable fabrics, such as eucalyptus sheets or cotton percale sheets. Others have moisture-wicking properties.
Fabric is the main determinant when it comes to assessing whether or not your bedding will keep you cool and comfortable. Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon ventilate poorly, while natural fibers like TENCEL™, bamboo, and cotton are top picks for their breathability and cooling properties.
If linen doesn't work for you, Fountain's recommendation is a percale weave cotton since the “one-over-one-under weave encourages airflow to keep you cool over the course of the night.” For a silky-smooth hand feel and fabric that feels initially cool to the touch, Fountain also recommends Tencel sheets.
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.
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.
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.
Bamboo sheets are cool, breathable and absorbent
They are also cooler to the touch than cotton sheets. Beyond that, bamboo can absorb 40% more water than cotton. So a bamboo sheet is a great choice to absorb sweat.
However, thread count greatly affects heat and higher thread counts create hotter sheets. In fact, 1000TC sheets are the hottest cotton sheets you can buy. Conversely, lower thread counts (250TC-350TC 10cm2) create cooler sheets but must be made from good cotton so they last.
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.
Quality cotton with a high thread count is what makes hotel sheets so crisp. Plus, the percale weave is the most popular weave for hotels which makes the sheets extra cool and extra crisp.
They also often made of a blend of fabrics, such as a blend of cotton/polyester. By twisting strands of cotton with polyester, small pockets are created, helping the sheet breathe better. This creates airflow which is why hotel sheets stay cooler.
Your sleepwear and sleep environment
Dr. Ram says that the most common reason for night sweats are: Bedding, sleepwear or even a mattress that doesn't "breathe" A sleep environment that's too warm.
Do Cooling Mattress Toppers Work? If by "work," you mean actually cool the bed, then yes, active-cooling mattress toppers will nudge the temperature of your bed down to some degree—but some are better at it than others.
Best Thread Count for Cool Sheets
Buying a set of bed sheets with a high thread count may not be the best idea when it comes to breathability, because more threads result in a tighter weave and less airy construction. If keeping cool is your priority, look for low thread count sheets in the range of 180 to 280.
If you want lighter sheets, Joanna says, a 400 thread count sheet can be soft and light, while an 800 percale would be soft and dense. The higher the thread count, the more likely multiple-ply thread is used or picks are added, making the fabric denser and heavier.
Durability – Viscose from bamboo fabric is known for its durability. It is less likely to pill with use, especially if you take proper care of your bedding. Meanwhile, Egyptian cotton is also easy to take care of, much like regular cotton, but tends to wear out faster than bedding made of bamboo viscose.
If you're hot at night, then high thread count sheets are some of the worst sheets you could buy because besides synthetics, 1000TC sheets are the hottest, non-flannel sheets available.
However, the resulting fabric tends to be somewhat coarse and prone to wrinkling. Our guide to the best bamboo sheets highlights some of the best options available.
Egyptian cotton is more breathable, moisture-wicking and absorbent than normal cotton, which helps to regulate your body temperature, making it ideal for balmy summer nights, and all year round comfortable sleeping.
The breathability and wicking properties of the bamboo fabric will keep your bed feeling cool and fresh all night long. In terms of cotton sheets, percale sheets tend to have the coolest feeling while jersey sheets tend to trap heat.
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.
Use Cotton or Linen Bedding
This means that it lets the cool air pass through; this makes it comfortable and durable. It feels light on your skin and during summer it's the material that will keep you at your coolest. 100% linen bedding is possibly the best option when it comes to keeping cool on hot summer nights.