Bamboo bedding for the warm summer night

Short answer: On warm nights it is often the moisture, not the temperature, that wakes you. A cover that moves sweat away from the skin does more than kicking off the duvet.

Moisture is the problem

If you sweat and the moisture stays between skin and fabric, everything feels clammy. That feeling is what makes you turn over and wake up. A fabric that absorbs moisture and lets it evaporate changes the experience, even when the room temperature stays the same.

The duvet

A light summer duvet inside the same cover does the rest. The cover cannot make a heavy duvet light, because the filling decides the warmth. Switch to a thinner duvet when the nights get warm and save the winter one for autumn. The cover decides the feel against your skin.

Without a duvet

If you lie on top of the duvet with only a sheet over you, the fabric of the sheet matters even more. It is now the only layer against your body. A thin, soft sheet that absorbs moisture means you still have something over you without getting hot.

Change pillowcases more often

In summer the pillow turns clammy first, because the head and neck give off a lot of heat. A spare pillowcase by the bed makes it easy to change if you wake in the night. Turn the pillow over if you do not have a spare. See the sets in bamboo bedding.

Sleepwear

A thin layer of sleepwear moves moisture away from the skin before it reaches the bedding. It may sound backwards, but many people sleep more calmly with a light layer than with nothing. Choose short sleeves or straps and a loose cut. See the styles in bamboo sleepwear for women.

The room

Air the room late in the evening, when the air outside is coolest, and draw the curtains during the day. It does more than any textile. A fan can help keep the air moving, but make sure it does not blow straight at you all night.

Colour and weight

Light colours do not feel cooler in a dark bedroom, so choose the colour you like. What matters is how thin and light the fabric is and whether it absorbs moisture. A heavy, densely woven cover holds more heat than a light one.

Washing in summer

In summer bedding is washed more often, because more sweat gets into the fabric. Wash at 40 degrees without fabric softener, so the fabric keeps its ability to absorb moisture. Drying outdoors is quick, but hang it in the shade to protect the colours.

Two sets for summer

With two sets you can change more often without waiting for the laundry. One is in use while the other dries. In summer, when bedding is changed more frequently, this makes a clear difference in everyday life, and both sets wear evenly.

Cooling bedding is about more than one choice. The duvet, the sheet, the sleepwear and the room work together, and it is the combination that makes the night comfortable. Read more in cooling bedding for summer.

Frequently asked questions

Can bedding make the night cooler?

It can move moisture away from the skin, and that feels cooler. It does not change the room temperature, but the feeling against your skin is different.

Should I use a thinner duvet?

Yes, if the nights are warm. The filling decides the warmth, while the cover decides the feel against your skin. A light summer duvet often makes the biggest difference.