For hot sleepers, getting a restful night’s sleep can be rather difficult. It’s a toss and turning game where one minute you’re throwing off your sheets to cool your sweaty body and the next minute, you’re pulling them back up because you’re too cold.
Although this problem is particularly common with people who suffer from night sweats, it can affect anyone when the weather is warm.
This is why it’s important to have at least one set of cooling sheets in your linen closet.
Cooling sheets are bed sheets made from fabrics which reduce body heat by allowing easy flow of air.
These materials are also moisture wicking, meaning, they naturally dissipate sweat to keep you dry on hot nights.
Such materials include:
- Cotton
- Linen
- Eucalyptus
- Bamboo
Cotton
Today, cotton still remains the most popular fabric in the market due to its versatility. It’s breathable yet absorbent and soft yet durable making it suitable for all types of sheets, including cooling sheets.
Cotton, being a natural fiber, is also used in cooling sheets due to its hypoallergenic and odor resistant properties. The sheets are therefore great for people who experience night sweats.
When it comes to choosing the best cotton cooling sheets quality, consider the type of cotton used.
- Long staple cotton such as Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton is used to make expensive, high end cotton sheets. The extra long staples mean that each individual staple is especially long and produces a luxuriously soft and smooth feel.
- Short staple cotton, on the other hand, is cheaper and grows faster than premium cotton. It’s lower in quality and consequently in price.
Although both cotton types are suitable for hot sleepers, long staple cotton sheets are better due to increased breathability.
Furthemore, the weave used also determines how crisp and how light the sheets are. There are two types of weaves:
- Percale: Cotton percale sheets are woven with a simple ‘one thread over, one thread under’ design. They’re usually crisp to the touch, light and have a matte finish. They’re also breathable moisture wicking sheets that make for great cooling sheet sets. Here’s what a customer had to say about their Parachute Percale Cotton Sheets:
Source: Stephen M. | Customer Review - Sateen: Sateen sheets are woven in a ‘four threads over, one thread under’ design. They’re smooth and silky to the touch but are less breathable than cotton percale sheets.
Linen
Linen is a natural fiber made from the flax plant, which is mainly found in Europe. This strong fiber is versatile and is used to make clothes, towels and more importantly, bed sheets.
Linen bed sheets are some of the most comfortable sheets due to the fabric’s crispy feel. They feel quite different compared to softer material like cotton and tend to soften over time.
When it comes to cooling, there are several reasons linen sheets are recommended for hot sleepers.
Benefits of Using A Linen Bed Sheet Set
Linen is a Moisture Wicking Fabric
Linen fabric is one of the best moisture wicking fabrics. It can absorb as much as 20% of its weight in moisture before it starts feeling wet – this property is what makes linen such a suitable fit for hot sleepers
When linen comes into contact with your skin, the sheet fibers absorb sweat and release it into the air leaving both your body and the sheets cool.
They Naturally Regulate Temperature
Although these sheets can be used as cooling sheets, they’re also great for the winter due to their temperature regulating abilities. This is because linen is able to naturally conduct heat and prevent too much heat from escaping in colder seasons.
Bacteria Resistant
Is your bedroom stuffy? Are you always sneezing in bed?
Linen sheets may be your solution.
Most sheets made from natural fibers such as linen are hypoallergenic and bacteria resistant. This means they’re ideal for people with sensitive skin and dust allergies.
Hot sleepers and people with night sweats also benefit since linen naturally keeps the bed fresh and cool throughout the night.
Durable
Linen bedding is quite durable and lasts about 30% longer than cotton. This is easily noticeable even by the feel of linen. It’s distinctly crispy and less smooth than cotton and other luxury fabrics.
In addition, linen sheets soften and get more supple with every wash making them better with age.
Here’s what a customer said about their set of Brooklinen Linen sheets:
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a unique plant that’s quickly getting popular in the textile industry due to its eco-friendliness and sustainability. Unlike plants like cotton where the entire plant is uprooted, Eucalyptus is simply cut without uprooting the roots. When used in bedding sheets, the eucalyptus plant is transformed into softer fiber known as Lyocell Tencel. This is why sheets made from Eucalyptus are referred to as tencel sheets.Benefits of Using Eucalyptus Bed Sheets
They’re Dust and Pest Resistant
Tencel bed sheets repel pests such as mites, and are also dust and mold resistant. This is made possible by eucalyptus oil which has naturally occurring insecticide and antiseptic properties.They’re Self-Regulating
Whether you’re a hot sleeper or live in the cold regions all year long, eucalyptus sheets would be a wonderful addition to your bedding. The sheets are breathable and are able to absorb a lot of moisture and release it into the air to keep you cool in the summer. Likewise, when it’s cold, they remain cool with no loss of heat. Here’s what a user said about their Buffy Eucalyptus Sheet Set:
It’s a Sustainable Option
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly sheet set, you might want to consider tencel sheets.
First, eucalyptus plants require ten times less water and grow much faster than cotton. This conserves water and increases sustainability. The process of extracting tencel for textiles also uses less chemicals more sustainable
They’re Super Soft
Eucalyptus sheets are made from tencel which have very smooth fibers. The sheets feel luxuriously silky and cool to the touch. They’re also wrinkle resistant.
Overall, this makes for soft and comfortable sheets that improve the quality of sleep.
Bamboo
Bamboo-based fabrics are made by processing the woody green bamboo plant into soft fibers.
As a natural fiber, bamboo is quickly growing as an alternative to cotton when it comes to bedding. There are several reasons for this such as:
Benefits of Using Bamboo Bed Sheets
It’s More Sustainable
Like eucalyptus, bamboo sheets are more sustainable than cotton, silk and other bedding material. This is because:
- Bamboo doesn’t grow on arable land
- It grows very fast, even one yard a day
- It uses significantly less water than cotton
- Bamboo roots stay in the soil preventing soil erosion and flooding
They’re Cool, Breathable Sheets
Bamboo fibers have natural thermal regulating abilities. Similarly, the fabric has micro gaps for breathability and air circulation.
Bamboo fabric is also moisture wicking, absorbing sweat so the sheets don’t stick to your skin.
Overall, bamboo cooling sheets will keep you cool and dry as this user noted on her Cariloha Bamboo Cooling Set:
They’re Antimicrobial
The fibers of bamboo plants contain antimicrobial agents which prevent the growth of bacteria and repel pests like dust mites. These mites feed off dead skin, cause itching and trigger allergies.
What Are the Best Cooling Sheets to Buy?
| Cooling Sheet Material | Bed Sheet Set | Top Features | Availability |
| Best Cotton Sheet | Parachute Percale Sheet Set | 1 fitted sheet, Two pillowcases High thread count: 480 | Check price |
| Best Linen Sheet | Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set | 1 flat sheet,1 fitted sheet, two pillowcases Cool and airy Durable | Check price |
| Best Eucalyptus/Tencel Sheet | Buffy Eucalyptus Sheet Set | Hypoallergenic 300 single-ply thread count Moisture wicking | Check price |
| Best Bamboo Sheet | Cariloha Bamboo Sheets | Carbon neutral product Extra deep pockets | Check price |
Say Goodbye to Hot, Sleepless Nights
Quality cooling sheets go a long way in improving the quality of sleep for hot sleepers. However, you also need a proper mattress, pillow and even an alarm clock to maintain a healthy sleeping schedule.
By finding the right bedding on Sleep-Reviews, you can finally wave goodbye to sleepless nights.
Featured Image: Freepik by Lifeforstock
