Skip to main content

What is the best material for sheets that will keep you cool?

If you’re a hot sleeper, getting through the night can be a challenge. Washing your sheets often enough may not entirely solve that problem – especially if the material isn’t the cooling sort. You might be trying to avoid sleep sweats or clamminess at night, which can be such a struggle. And while waking up sweaty, overheated, and restless is uncomfortable enough, it can also disrupt your normal sleep cycle, leading to problems during the day. The good news is that something as simple as swapping out old sheets in favor of those with cooling materials can often help, and with a little guidance on the matter, you can enjoy cooler nights ahead.

Which fabrics make a great cooling sheet?

Hot sleepers will want to opt for natural fibers in their sheets whenever possible. Cotton, bamboo, linen, and eucalyptus are great examples of these types of sheets. Let’s take a look at each one of these fabrics:

Linen

Of all of the best cool-sleeping sheet fabrics, linen is at the front of the line. Although it may be on the pricy side, this fabric’s superior breathability and lightweight essence make for excellent cooling sheets. Linen is usually cooler than cotton, and tends to be highly durable for years of use. Linen sheets won’t be extremely soft, but they are undoubtedly of a higher quality than other options, and offer a slightly textured feel and look.

Bamboo

Bamboo sheets are both thermoregulating and hygroscopic, meaning they keep sleepers cool overnight (or, when necessary, warm), and wick away moisture, eventually absorbing it, to keep sleepers nice and dry. They’re usually hypoallergenic as well. The best form of bamboo for sheets is Lyocell, which is a more eco-friendly variety due to its manufacturing process, which results in not only less stress to the environment, but a silkier, softer feeling sheet than other varieties.

Cotton

When choosing cotton sheets, percale will likely be your best bet. Percale cotton generally makes the best cotton sheets for warm sleepers, as it is constructed of a very breathable, loosely woven fabric — most often a polyester or cotton blend — with a cooler finish than others. Stick with a low, single-ply thread count for a crisper, thinner percale — less than 400 thread count is recommended.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus sheets are known to be cooler, softer, and have better moisture-wicking qualities than the usual cotton, with some varieties even seeming to get softer with every washing. Eucalyptus has naturally temperature-regulating traits, and is often considered to be an exceptionally cool sleeping bed sheet. While their cooling properties are not actually proven scientifically, eucalyptus sheets are known as highly breathable with a luxuriously cooling feel.

What thread count is best for cool sheets?

Generally a low thread count (TC) is best for those who need cooling sheets at night, as it is helpful in regulating the body’s temperature while sleeping, with less than 300 TC being ideal. The National Sleep Foundation recommends anywhere between 200 and 400 TC sheets for your best cooling experience.

How can I keep my bed cool?

  • Start by keeping your bedroom cool. Most summer nights cool down significantly, so if you can safely sleep with the window open (consider security issues please), this would be ideal. If not, keeping your room at approximately 65 degrees to 67 degrees Fahrenheit with air conditioning is optimal for most sleepers  — although hot sleepers may need to take it down a notch or two from there.
  • Take a cool shower before bed, and sleep in minimal, loose-fitting, comfy clothing. This will cool down your body and keep it cool as the night goes on.
  • You could also use fans in the bedroom to circulate the air if need be. This can help keep the temperature down when you don’t want to run the air conditioning, and the white noise from the fan can contribute to a sound night’s sleep as well.
  • Don’t eat for a few hours before bed. Digesting food can increase the body’s temperature, so do it earlier to allow your body to get cooler at night.
  • Create a triple (or quadruple!) whammy: Get a set of cooling sheets, as well as a cooling pillow, cooling mattress, cooling mattress pad, or as many cooling accessories as you can find.
  • If you still need more help getting comfortable at night, consider trying a mattress or bedding to match your needs, i.e. your preferred sleeping position, such as a Casper mattress (the Airscape foam helps you stay cool).

Editors' Recommendations

21Oak Contributor
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Can you heat up Styrofoam? What you need to know to keep yourself safe
Find out if you can microwave Styrofoam
Person holding two Styrofoam carry-out containers

Sure, you may love to cook delicious, gourmet meals that your friends and family salivate over, but sometimes, throwing something in the microwave is just easier. Whether you're heating up yesterday's leftovers or reheating lukewarm takeout, the microwave can be the busy homeowner's best friend. But do you need to take the food out of that convenient Styrofoam container first? Can you heat up Styrofoam or is it unsafe to do so?

Microwaves are easy to use, but that doesn't mean every type of food container belongs in them. Depending on what you're using to reheat food, you may need to transport it to a microwave-safe plate. Metal-based materials, for instance, can't go in the microwave since the waves can't penetrate metal. With a few exceptions, most glass and ceramic dishes are microwave-safe containers, as are some forms of Tupperware, but they may not be practical for transporting or storing foods. Styrofoam is a commonly used food container, but can you microwave Styrofoam or even heat Styrofoam at all?

Read more
The best outdoor clocks for keeping tabs on the time
Consider one these clocks for your outdoor space
Alarm clock on a table with flowers

If an outdoor clock suits your active lifestyle, then you need one that can remain active for a long time. A clock for the outdoors can be as functional as it is ornamental. A waterproof and easy-to-maintain outdoor clock is vital to weather the elements. They can also help keep you on track if you get lost in a book on your front porch or landscaping in your backyard.

We've scoured the internet so you don't have to, so consider these clocks as good candidates for durability and longevity. Check out our list of the best outdoor clocks!
SkyNature Outdoor Clock
Best outdoor clock overall

Read more
What couch material should you get? We have the answer
the best leather couches

If you're in the market for a new couch or sofa, one of the biggest considerations beyond the size and shape is the couch fabric. Deciding on how you plan to use the couch and who you plan to let on it (for example, pets and kids) can help determine which material you choose. If it's a sofa for a living room and one the whole family will use daily, you need couch material that's durable and will hold up over time. If it's one in an office or formal living room, you can be a bit more relaxed about the fabric.

Beyond the frame and springs, there are many fabric choices available when it comes to buying a couch. Here are a few things to watch out for and consider before making your big purchase. They can make the difference between a couch that stands the test of time and one that needs to be replaced after a couple of years.

Read more