June 11, 2021, 10:27 am | Read time: 3 minutes
High temperatures in the summer can be tough on many people—especially when trying to fall asleep. Hours of tossing and turning, everything just feels uncomfortably warm. In most cases, the issue can be resolved with the right bedding.
Just as wool, cotton, or down keep you warm in winter, there are textiles better suited for summer. These are airy and light, allowing you to endure high temperatures without issue. Paying attention to the right textiles for bedding can also help ensure a good night’s sleep in summer.
Overview
Which Bedding Is Best for Sleeping in Summer?
“For bedding, lightweight fabrics that wick away moisture are suitable,” says Marc Böhle, president of the Association of Bedding Retailers. The lighter the fabric, the better. Böhle recommends cotton or linen: “Cotton has good moisture absorption, and linen even has a cooling effect on the skin, which is why it’s worn so much in the tropics.” Among cotton fabrics, percale or batiste are particularly breathable.
Böhle also recommends covers made of seersucker, a slightly crinkled fabric that is lightweight and wrinkle-free. Heavy bedding such as flannel, jersey, and microfiber are not suitable for summer nights. Satin is also denser than other fabrics.
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Check Quality Before Buying
As with cotton, there are also differences in seersucker: “The cheaper seersucker variant is not as soft because the crinkle effect is chemically produced.” With each wash, the crinkle effect weakens. In good quality, it is created automatically during weaving. Therefore, Böhle advises: “Don’t buy packaged without touching.” If in doubt, customers should ask the seller to open the package.
For a fresh feeling, bedding should also be washed more frequently in summer. “Normally, you should change bedding every two weeks, but if you sweat a lot, then weekly,” advises Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association. It should be washed at a minimum of 40 degrees Celsius.
Sleeping Only Under the Duvet Cover?
The hotter it gets, the thinner many people want their blanket. Some even sleep in summer with just the duvet cover or none at all. However, expert Böhle recommends a light summer comforter: “It’s better than just the duvet cover because it can get cold in the morning, even in summer.”
Additionally, moisture is absorbed by the blanket: “Camel hair, for example, can absorb a third of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet,” says the expert.
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Light Versions of Comforters
Almost all types of comforters have light versions. “For example, a down comforter with a 140-gram fill weight would be ideal,” explains Böhle. These are usually quilted in small squares, so each square contains just about a gram of down. But light comforters with fillings of camel hair, cashmere, or linen are also recommended. For allergy sufferers, wild silk is an option.
In general, the combination of the right bedding and a light comforter in summer makes the difference. Conversely, “If you have flannel bedding, a summer comforter won’t help.”