Linen is perfect for summer because it feels light on the skin and wicks away moisture even better than cotton. In our guide to the best linen sheets, we recommend the Cultiver Linen Sheets. This set is one of the softest we've tried and comes in the widest range of colors and prints.
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.
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.
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.
Cotton sheets are the most popular natural sheets
You can't go wrong with cotton sheets for coolness. Cotton's two biggest strengths are: it transmits heat well, and it absorbs moisture well. It cools you down better than any other natural material. It is also more durable and affordable than most alternatives.
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.
The NSF recommends choosing sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400, since sheets with lower thread counts aren't as comfortable, and sheets with higher thread counts tend to trap heat at night.
Linen: This material retains less heat than cotton due to a looser weave. Percale: This closely woven cotton or polyester is cool to the touch. Eucalyptus fibers: Sheets in this material will naturally regulate temperature and be breathable. Microfiber: Microfiber is absorbent and wicks moisture away effectively.
Yes, bamboo is a very breathable fabric. In most cases, you'll find that bamboo sheets keep you cooler throughout the night. Bamboo stays about 3 degrees cooler than cotton on average. It's breathable enough to allow your body heat to easily escape.
Hot sleepers may also appreciate Egyptian cotton's breathability and moisture-wicking. Individuals who like a silky feel and finish might find sateen sheets more comfortable. Since sateen sheets tend to be heavier and warmer, they could also be ideal for people who often sleep cold.
Choose a cooling mattress topper
Many people choose cooling toppers as a great way to cool their mattress down. They also provide an extra touch of comfort. If you don't know what a topper is, it's a layer that sits on top of your mattress to give it a new lease of life.
Things like alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine and smoking can be sweating triggers. 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. Cool yourself down.
You should probably change your bedsheets once a week. Think about it: You spend hours in bed every night, and your sheets collect skin flakes and an assortment of bodily fluids and oils. Then there's stuff like dust, dust mites, and (if you have a cat or dog) pet hair.
High Thread Count For Bed Sheets
1000 TC sheets are the warmest cotton sheets available on the market. Lower thread counts (250 TC-350 TC), on the other hand, provide cooler sheets but they must be made of high-quality cotton to retain a premium standard.
Don't choose high thread counts.
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.
Percale sheets are most comfortable for sleepers who get too warm in the night, for people who live in warmer climates and for those who prefer to use the same sheets and bedding year round.
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.
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.
We want to keep some heat close to us to keep us warm at night, but some sheets are so dense that they trap too much heat. Any moisture from our skin also gets trapped, raising the humidity with it. That's when the temperature rises, and we wake up sweaty and uncomfortable.
While it may be harder to come by, bamboo linen, also known as bast bamboo fiber, uses a chemical-free mechanical process that may appeal more to eco-conscious shoppers. However, the resulting fabric tends to be somewhat coarse and prone to wrinkling.
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.
The Feel — Percale fabric has a cool, crisp handfeel, and sateen fabric feels silky and smooth. The Weight — Percale is lighter and more breathable than sateen; sateen weaves produce a thicker sheet that lies heavier on the body. The Warmth — Percale bedding tends to sleep cooler than sateen bedding.
Night sweats can be a manifestation of simple infection, underlying malignancy, more complex infections – including TB and HIV – connective tissue disorders, menopause or certain prescribed drugs. It's also important not to overlook possible psychological causes, such as night terrors secondary to PTSD.