A cooler night’s sleep begins with storing your down comforter, as well as other dense winter bedding such as flannel sheets and thick comforters. Instead of heat-trapping bedding, choose lighter alternatives that you’ll want to lay in even on the hottest summer morning. Consider a duvet or comforter made of cotton, linen, silk, or another lightweight fabric.
Use lighter colors.
If your bed is still clothed in the deep orange, red, and black tones of last winter or fall, it’s time to switch things up. Lightweight bedspreads in bright and cheery colors like white, light green, sky blue, or sunny yellow will give your space a breezy summer makeover. Lighter-colored sheets and blankets absorb less heat during the day, so they’ll be nice and cool when it’s time to tuck in for the night. Light-colored bedding is ideal if you want to update your style for the summer or simply want to sleep cool and warm at night.
Select Breathable Materials
After you’ve packed away your heavy bedding, select sheets, blankets, and pillowcases made of natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo, and silk. These materials breathe better than synthetics and drain moisture away from your body, making them ideal for the hazy summer months.
Cotton is a popular summer fabric that is easy to find, although bamboo and silk are more breathable. Some man-made fibers, such as Tencel® and Rayon, derived from eucalyptus and bamboo, respectively, can achieve the same results.
Stack Your Bed in Light Layers
The last thing you want to do on a hot summer night is sleep under a heavy blanket. This is when having a variety of lightweight bedspreads comes in helpful. Try putting down a few thinner sheets and blankets on your bed. Having thin clothes on hand will allow you to be cooler or warmer as the temperature outside fluctuates. Simply remove a layer or two when it’s warm, or load on a couple of light blankets when it’s colder.
Matelasse blankets are ideal for lightweight bedding because they are both thin and fashionable. They’re comprised of a single layer of cloth, so they breathe well, and they have beautifully quilted designs similar to those found on bulkier quilts.
Sleep with cooler sheets.
During the summer, you might not even think about your bed sheets. Why would you do that? They’re already light and thin. The cloth, though, makes all the difference. Because bed sheets come into direct contact with you as you sleep, they can either keep or let hot air escape.
Choose light textiles. Linen, cotton, and bamboo are all excellent choices. Another option is microfiber. Any of these textiles will make your bed feel lighter and airier.
Always have a thicker throw blanket on your hand.
One disadvantage of using cooler summer bedding? Your feet might become cold. Your feet are normally the coldest portion of your body since they are the furthest away from your heart. Your mattress may be the ideal temperature for the rest of you, but it may be too cold for your feet. To prevent freezing toes, drape a thick woolen throw blanket over the foot of your bed. A big blanket at the foot of your bed will keep your feet warm if it gets unexpectedly cool at night. This way, you won’t have to roll out of bed to get an extra blanket from your wardrobe.
Make use of lightweight blankets.
Few things beat cuddling up in bed under a thick comforter as the temperature drops in the winter. However, when the temperatures soar in the summer, heavy bedding is the last thing you need. Instead, convert to a light, open-weave, 100 percent cotton blanket for the season. This nightstand covering is significantly more breathable than a microfiber or tightly woven blanket due to the material and weave. The weight lends just enough to feel secure while remaining comfortable, especially in the hottest conditions. Choose a light-colored blanket or one with a delicate pattern to make the room more visually appealing.
Relax Your Pillow
A hot, sweaty pillow forces you to turn from side to side all night in search of relief. Instead, place a gel-filled cooling mat on top of your pillow for an always-comfortable place to rest your head. The thin mat, which is sized to fit on top of a normal pillow, is packed with the bouncy gel found in reusable ice packs. You won’t even notice it’s there because the pad is moldable. Place the mat in the fridge or freezer soon before bedtime for an extra cold head. Even if the pad is left at normal temperature, the interior gel feels significantly cooler than the surrounding air, wicking heat away from your body.
Purchase a Bedside Fan
If you want a pleasant summer breeze but don’t want to spend money on air conditioning, try a modest bedside fan or a ceiling fan. A small fan perched on your nightstand or dresser directs the breeze just where you need it. To keep the steady flow of air from drying up your nose and throat, place a bowl of ice cubes and cooled water in front of the fan. To cool down the entire room before going to bed, turn on the ceiling fan to remove the heated air that has accumulated above.
Make the air more humid.
Summer provides dry, arid air to areas such as the Southwest. The moisture from your skin, eyes, and throat is absorbed by this air. Even in humid climates, central air conditioning can significantly reduce interior humidity, leaving you thirsty. Use a humidifier to offer exactly the right amount of moisture to keep you cool and comfortable. Run it near your bedside and change the water every day to prevent mold growth.
Select a Lightweight Duvet.
Sleeping under down seems paradoxical when the temperature rises. A lightweight, low-fill down duvet, on the other hand, can keep you cool. The “fill” refers to the number of feathers included within the duvet. Duvets with 400 to 600 fill power function best all year in four-season areas. However, if you run hot or live in a subtropical region, a duvet with a fill power of less than 400 is preferable. Lightweight duvets typically contain more feathers than down; feathers are less insulating and more permeable than down, making them a great choice of fill for the humid months. For an overall airy vibe, finish your summer bedding with a duvet cover in a light color or a plain design.
Convert a Hot Water Bottle to a Cold Water Bottle
A hot water bottle is commonly used to warm the body. That doesn’t mean it can’t be filled with something interesting instead! Simply keep your water-filled rubber bottle in the fridge during the day and slip it under your blankets at night. Use it to chill your feet, tuck it between hot knees, or position it behind your neck to cool your entire body. This is also an excellent approach for menopausal women to avoid terrible heat flashes.
Close the drapes or blinds.
Those window treatments serve a purpose more than just looking nice in the window. They assist keep the heat of the day out of the room by closing during the night when you’re ready to sleep. If the morning or afternoon sun shines through the windows, just close the blinds or other window coverings to keep the space cool.
Use Energy-Saving Bulbs
Replace your old light bulbs with fresh, more efficient ones. While LED lamps produce heat, it is significantly less than that produced by incandescent bulbs. Remember to turn out all lights as you leave the room. Every little bit counts and energy-efficient bulbs save money on your electric bill.
Repair any cracks around the windows.
If your windows are not properly sealed, cold air might enter through the crevices. Caulk and window stripping wear out and must be repaired or replaced. Making sure the windows are properly sealed is an important step toward keeping the room cool. Examine the windows on the inside and exterior for any cracks in the caulking, which is a sure sign of a leak.
Include Reflective Film
In addition to caulking or replacing weather stripping, adding a reflective film on the exterior of your bedroom windows will keep heat out of the room. Light is still allowed in, however, certain UV rays are excluded. Adding reflective film helps to keep the space cooler in the summer and retains heat within the home during the winter. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
Keep your bedroom doors open.
Leaving doors to bedrooms and other rooms open will help maximize ventilation in your home. Consider this: the air conditioner turns on, moving air throughout the home; if a door is closed, the air cannot freely circulate across all of the rooms. A running ceiling fan or bedside fan also helps to promote air circulation.
Provide Some Shade Outside
Planting trees and plants in front of windows, or building awnings, will give shade, keeping the sun and heat out of the bedroom. This, together with closing the blinds or curtains, will help to keep the room cooler.
Replace the A/C Filter
If your air filter becomes clogged with dirt, allergens, pet dander, and other particles, the air conditioner will not function effectively and will run more frequently. A reusable air filter must be washed regularly, while disposable air filters must be replaced. This should happen at least once every 90 days, so set a reminder on your electronic device or mark your calendars accordingly. Your air conditioner will work more efficiently, keeping your home cooler and saving you money on your utility expenses. That’ll appreciate it because it won’t have to keep rushing about attempting to “breathe” through the mess to maintain the right temperature.
Replace your sheets with light cotton or linen.
At the first hint of spring, flannel sheets can be carefully tucked away. When the temperature rises, synthetic bedding should follow suit. Now is the time to splurge on some lightweight 100 percent cotton sheets. Contrary to popular opinion, a high thread count is not required for a good night’s sleep. High thread counts can be overly insulating in the summer (a 400 thread count works best). For the coolest and softest option, look for sheets made of extra-long staple cottons, such as Egyptian or Pima. Choose linens that are white or pale pastel for a boost of psychological cooling.
