Cool Sheets, Pillows, and Mattress Pads

If you stay warm, or shall I say almost "sizzlin' hot" like I do, a combination of a set of cool sheets, a cooling mattress pad, a breathable topper and a bed fan can make all the difference in getting a good night's sleep.

100% Cotton Cool Sheets

There are several types of sheets that don't retain heat. 

1.  100% Cotton Sheets

Invest in 100% cotton sheets.  Sheets with polyester retain more heat and are not as breathable.  Thread count and the type of cotton determines the quality and feel of the sheets. 100% Egyptian cotton sheets have the best quality and feel. 

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We are happy with these cool organic 100% cotton percale sheets purchased on Amazon.  They are a 200 thread count percale sheets that is pure certified organic cotton. Percale is a tight weave which makes for a crips, cool feeling sheet.  The fitted sheet fits mattresses up to 19" deep. 

They come in all sizes from twin, full, queen and king in an assortment of colors.  Pillowcases are often included. No harsh chemicals are used when making organic linens and low impact dyes offer some soft colors, like Seaglass Green or Glacier Grey.

2.  100% Pima Cotton

100% pima cotton (trademark name of Supima) sheets are made of American upland cotton which is the most common cotton and is less expensive but also a courser and rougher texture.

3.  Percale Sheets

Cotton percale sheets offer a crisp, cool feel so if you tend to get hot at night or have hot flashes or flushes, this is the better sheet to invest in. A cotton polyester blend looks great out of the dryer but can also make you sweat at night. Amazon offers a set of percale Egyptian cotton sheets for a great price here: 

Moisture Wicking Cool Sheets

If you find yourself waking up at night from night sweats then I suggest you get sheets that will help to wick away any moisture. 

They may prevent you from having to remove your sheets in the middle of the night.

PeachSkinSheets Night Sweats: The Original Moisture Wicking, 1500tc Soft Sheet Set

Bamboo Cool Sheets

My latest search in trying to keep cool at night has led me to an investment in a set of bamboo sheets. I read all the reviews on Amazon and decided to give them a try.

Bamboo is an all natural fiber and has a smooth, silky, cool feel to them.  Combined with my cooling gel mat, I have been sleeping through the night instead of waking up a couple of times because I have gotten too hot.

This set has a 300 thread count and requires that you wash them in cold water only.

Royal Hotel White Silky Soft bed sheets 100% Bamboo Viscose Sheet Set

Use the delicate cycle with mild detergent. I use Charlie's Laundry Powder

and love how they came out of the dryer. Remove immediately after drying with low heat cycle. Do not keep drying the sheets longer than is needed and remove them right away as soon as they are dry. Do not use hot water or bleach. Bleach will damage and weaken the fabric. A mixture of baking soda and white vinegar in the wash cycle can help whiten them naturally. Also do not use a fabric softener as it can also cause harm to the linen fabric.

Cooling Mattress Pad

Your new mattress can cause lots of heat retention - especially the memory foam ones.  Many people are finding they are unhappy with their new mattress for just this reason.

Besides getting rid of it and getting a new mattress you can try putting on either a cooling mattress pad or a down feather bed. 

Your mattress or your mattress pad/cover can cause heat retention.  Waterproof mattress covers will trap heat because they are not made of breathable fabric and body heat can't escape. 

You can try an extra thick mattress topper to help keep you cool at night. The combination of a cooling mattress pad and a down mattress topper seems to be working as I am waking up less often and find that this nicely quilted pad somehow reduces the heat build up. 

Down Mattress Toppers

Pay attention to any mattress toppers. Many of the memory foam toppers retain heat. We bought a foam mattress topper for our bed, but had to remove it because it trapped and retained body heat waking me up several times at night

We purchased a new mattress and although it does not have the memory foam it still sleeps "hot" compared to our old mattress.  It was an additional cost to purchase a down mattress cover, but it has been worth it.

I'm not waking up hot in the middle of the night anymore - so whether it is the down mattress cover or just coincidence I'm not sure - but we like the added extra comfort and I like sleeping through the night.

I went by which featherbed had the highest ratings at Amazon and the Sleep Solutions Luxury Down Featherbed Top had the most stars.  The cover is made of 100% cotton and the baffled stitched keeps the feathers from clumping together.  The topper is nice and thick and we are very pleased with the quality - but more importantly how it keeps me cooler at night. 

Cool Pillow

A cool pillow will use three strategies for helping you to stay cool.

Ver-Tex Cool Touch Fabric deflects the heat so it stays cool throughout the night. It keeps a cool feel because the heat is expelled away from your head while you are sleeping.

The ventilated panels keep air flowing and moves the heat away from your head and shoulders so there is less waking up hot. The third feature is what bedgear calls React foam which is a foam blend that contours to your body and alleviates pressure points while supporting your head, neck and shoulders. Last but not least, the bedgear cool pillow is made in the USA.

Perfect Cloud Double Airflow Memory Foam Pillow Featuring Cooling Ventilated Visco Foam Core and Mesh Trim

Organic Buckwheat Pillows

There are lots of different cooling pillows available.  I like a pillow made of natural, breathable material like these organic buckwheat pillows.  

The buckwheat hulls allow air to circulate throughout the pillow which helps to keep it cool.

The hulls are 100% organic, grown totally without pesticides or herbicides. 100% unbleached cotton fabric  is used for the pillow case. The pillow includes a zipper to allow you the option of removing hulls and adjusting the pillow to fit your exact needs.

People with neck pain often find better support and pain relief using this type of pillow.  I have been using mine for over 6 months.  I got the king size to use as a body pillow for side sleepers.  It took a little getting used to but I like how easily it adjusts and conforms to my body without retaining body heat.

Organic Buckwheat Pillow - Twin/ Standard Size (20 inches x 26 inches)

Goose Down Feather Pillows

I bought the set of soft queen goose down feather pillows by Wenersi for our guest room but the pillows have landed in our master bedroom.  If it's been a while since you've bought new pillows, check these out. They are so soft and comfortable and because there is a double layer of fabric, no prickly feathers aren't given the chance to poke you. 

What you'll also like is that the cover is is made of 100% cotton which adds to the "cool" factor.  If you are looking for a pillow that keeps cool and conforms to either your head or as a body pillow for side sleepers, you won't be disappointed. 

WENERSI Premium Goose Down Pillows with Feather blended (2-pack, Queen Soft) 100% Cotton Shell

Bed Fans

If you need more cooling strategies to help you sleep through the night, invest in a BedJet Fan. 

Place a bed fan at the end or the side of your bed. 

The fan can be adjusted to different settings, but provides cool air flow between the top and bottom sheets.  Be sure the top sheet is tucked tight around the fan so that the air flows onto your bottom sheet and doesn't escape.   

Bedjet Fan

Combine the benefits of cool sheets, cooling mattress pad and a bed fan to enjoy a full night sleep without constantly waking up hot.

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