When we think of a good night’s sleep, overheating and night sweats shouldn't come to mind. And yet, many people experience just that without the best sheet material.
Feeling overly warm during sleep isn't just a matter of discomfort; it can also disrupt your much-needed rest. Sleep studies have shown that cooler temperatures facilitate easier sleep onset, longer sleep duration, and overall better sleep quality. While maintaining your thermostat around 65°F is beneficial, there's an additional strategy to ensure a cool night's rest: selecting the best sheets to keep you cool. This simple choice can significantly enhance your sleeping experience, keeping you comfortably cool throughout the night.
→ Shop Top Recommended: Boutique Percale Sheet Set
Materials for Cooling Bed Sheets and Pillowcases
If you’ve ever asked the question, “What is the best material for sheets to keep you cool?” you’ve come to the right place. Choosing the right fabric for sheeting and pillowcases can make all the difference when it comes to supporting a good night’s sleep.
In particular, two types of fabric rise to the top: Cotton and Linen.
Cooling Cotton Bed Sheets
When it comes to cool sheeting, one type of fabric comes immediately to mind: Cotton. This natural, pure material is breathable, which means that instead of trapping heat, it lets air flow freely through it. If you’re tired of waking up hot and sticky after tossing and turning all night long, cotton is a sublime solution. Cotton is also soft on skin, durable, and low-maintenance.
Of course, not all cotton sheets are created equal. Cotton percale is one of our favorite cool sheeting materials. If you love the feel of sliding between cool, crisp sheets, cotton percale is an excellent choice. There’s a reason why many world-class hotels choose cotton percale for their bedding.
Pima cotton is another material with refreshing cooling properties. Featuring fine, smooth, and strong fibers, pima cotton feels remarkably cool and light to the touch as well as while you sleep.
If you’re looking for sheets that will keep you cool, you might also consider Egyptian cotton. Like other cotton sheets, it has both cooling and warming properties depending on the weave style and thread count. Egyptian cotton is also incredibly soft — a contributing factor to its reputation as the “gold standard” of cotton sheeting.
One last note on cotton? While we’re big fans of sateen sheets for their silky smoothness, gorgeous luster, and beautiful drape, they are not usually the best choice for hot sleepers. Thicker and more tightly woven than other types of cotton, sateen is an excellent choice for warmth-seekers on chilly winter nights. (Looking for even more info on percale versus sateen? Don’t miss our guide here.)
Also be sure to steer clear of polyester and flannel if you're looking for cooling sheets as both are better suited for warming, instead.
Cooling Linen Bed Sheets
Like cotton, linen is a natural material with cooling benefits. For starters, it’s both temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking. Together, these properties help keep you cool and comfortable.
Linen’s unique weave also maximizes airflow for optimal breathability. And then there’s its extraordinary textured feel, which actually has slight massaging properties.
Cooling Pillowcases
While cooling sheets may get the lion's share of attention, don't underestimate the importance of your pillowcases. Because the only thing worse than waking up with a sweat-drenched body? Waking up with a sweat-drenched hair and neck.
Again, this isn't just about how you feel. With pillowcases, the moisture is also a hygiene issue. This is why it's also important to choose pillowcases made from natural cooling materials like cotton percale and linen.
Compare Cooling Bed Sheets for Hot Sleepers
And they’re as stunning to look at as they feel thanks to a touch of color on the satin stitch detail. The Boutique Percale Sheet Set is also affordable and customizable, so you can express your personal style at a price point you’ll love.
If you want the look and feel of linen with the performance of cotton, make sure to check out a best-of-both-worlds sheet solution, our ingenious Mandalay Linen Cuff Sheet Set.
For when the weather changes from hot to cold, we’d be remiss not to mention our line of sateen sheets, including our exquisite Soprano Sateen Sheet Set. A signature offering among our bedding, these buttery-soft sheets are the perfect choice for when temperatures drop.
A good night’s sleep doesn’t have to be elusive — with the right bedding, that is. For even more sheet options and ways to keep cool, browse all Percale sheets and more at Peacock Alley today.
