With temperatures at an all-time high, it can feel almost impossible to get a good night's sleep. The insufferable heat and humidity make it harder to drift off and stay in a restful state of slumber. So, how can you keep your bed cool to battle late-night sweats and insomnia during the heatwave?
Some of the best ways to cool down a room without AC are easy to apply to your everyday routine. However, despite your best efforts to keep your bedroom cool, it may still prove too hot to handle because of how warm your actual bed is.
With the scorching summer temperatures we're currently experiencing, we wasted no time asking sleep experts specifically how to keep a bed cool in summer heat to ensure we get some well-deserved rest.
How to keep a bed cool in summer heat: 7 expert-approved tips
Are you already tired of slipping into those sticky and suffocating covers on a summer's night? Here are six easy ways to help you sleep in the heat, to put an end to tossing and turning all night.
1. Use a cold water bottle
Similar to how you can use expert fan hacks to upgrade the power of your electric fan, using your hot water bottle in unique ways can also help you snooze in summer.
“Instead of filling your hot water bottle with warm water, fill it with icy cold water and place it near your feet, under your sheets, or by your side," advises Michal Szlas, Sleep expert and founder of online hybrid mattress specialist OTTY Sleep.
"The cooling effect is particularly effective when positioned near pulse points, such as your ankles, wrists, or behind your knees, where blood vessels are closer to the surface of the skin.”
The frozen hot water bottle hack has been trending online during the recent heatwaves, so of course we had to give it a try.
2. Pop your sheets in the freezer
Looking for ways to cool down may lead you down some rather unorthodox paths, one of them being freezing your bed sheets. We've recently tried this thanks to a top tip from Lynsey Crombie on how she cools her bed in a heatwave.
"You can try freezing your sheets to enjoy a cold snap as you get into bed, but make sure you pop them into a resealable plastic bag to avoid the sheets becoming wet," explains Dr Hana Patel, a sleep expert at Time4Sleep.
"It should only take around half an hour in the freezer for your sheets to reach a comfortable cool temperature, as you want to be sure you don’t actually freeze them."
3. Switch to temperature-regulating bedding
Having some of the best sheets on your bed that are specifically designed to promote a cool, temperature-regulated sleep will make a huge difference in your overall sleep hygiene.
"Switch to lighter bedding ahead of a heatwave. This will give you time to get comfortable with regulating your temperature ahead of any particularly hot periods in the peak of summer," explains Dr Patel.
"You may want to test the benefits of a lighter tog duvet from 4.5-7 togs or even just a breathable flat cotton sheet. Consider a temperature-regulating mattress if you’ve found yourself to be consistently uncomfortable with sleep over the last few summer seasons," she continues.
Consider investing in the best cooling sheets to make your bed feel more comfortable. Before you choose what kind of bed sheets are going to keep you cool, you'll probably be wondering how well they actually work in cooling you down. “They do work, but you’ve got to choose wisely. Cooling sheets aren’t magic, but the right ones can make a real difference," says Suzanne Hayes, Founder of Headboards & Interiors.
She highlights the following points:
- Choose the right fabric : “Opt for natural fibres like cotton percale, linen or bamboo. They breathe beautifully and help regulate temperature.”
- Avoid overly high thread counts: “It might seem luxurious, but a thread count around 200–400 is best, too high and it traps heat.”
- Stay dry and fresh: “The best cooling sheets wick away moisture and prevent that sticky, clammy feeling that keeps you tossing and turning.”
Includes: 100% cotton, one duvet cover, two pillowcases. Sizes: single, double, king. This bedding proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to stay cool at night. Made from pure cotton muslin, it’s naturally breathable, soft, and versatile enough to work year-round, while the wide range of colours makes it easy to match to any bedroom style.
Includes: 100% European Flax Linen fitted sheet, duvet cover and two pillowcases.
Sizes: single, double, queen, king, superking. Pure linen is one of the best fabrics for regulating body temperature, making this bedding an excellent choice for anyone who striving to stay cool at night. Of all the linen we tested, this came out on top. It's lightweight and gentle on hot skin and keeps air circulating in summer.
Includes: 100% 400 thread count Egyptian cotton fitted sheet, duvet cover, two pillowcases. Sizes: single, double, queen, king, superking, emperor. Available in classic white or timeless white stripes, this best-selling set delivers that cool-to-the-touch finish that feels especially refreshing in warmer weather. Egyptian cotton is renowned for its long fibres, which create a smoother, stronger fabric that not only feels luxurious but can last for decades with proper care. Elegant, breathable, and endlessly classic, it’s an investment in both comfort and longevity.
4. Air the bed with a cross-breeze
Looking for a quick fix? While there aren't many ways to immediately cool down your bed, opening a window is one thing, but creating good airflow is another.
To do this, determine which direction the wind is blowing, and open a window or door on the side of the room, then open one on the opposite side. This method ensures that stagnant hot air gets swept into a flow and carried outside, leaving things comfortably cool inside. Pull back the covers and ensure your bed is caught in the crossbreeze.
Michal also recommends, “Try creating a cross breeze by positioning a fan facing outward in one window to push warm air out, while keeping another window open to let cooler air in. Using an air purifier can also help by reducing humidity and improving overall air quality.”
Aside from this, she recommends drawing your shades and closing your blinds around two hours before you go to bed. By eliminating the light sources, your room will cool down significantly and allow for a more comfortable sleep when you do decide to call it a night.
5. Have a go at the Egyptian method
Much the cooling hacks of freezing bed sheets and filling hot waters this simple trick works a treat to beat the heat instantly. "The Egyptian method is a centuries-old technique designed to keep you cool in dry, hot climates," explains Michal.
To try it he explains, “Dampen a lightweight sheet or towel with cool water, wring it out thoroughly to ensure it’s not dripping wet, and use it as a blanket. As the moisture evaporates, it creates a natural cooling effect that helps lower your body temperature. For best results, place a dry towel or absorbent sheet underneath you to prevent your mattress from getting damp.”
6. Select your bedding colours wisely
In the same way interior paint colours can affect the temperature of your home, the colour of your bedding can play a part in your sleep temperature.
Dr Patel explains: “If your bedroom gets a lot of sunlight in the summer, dark bedsheets can absorb more heat, and release this at night, resulting in a less comfortable sleep. Lighter colours like white and beige tend to reflect sunlight better, so they typically stay cooler if your bed is in direct sunlight."
7. Choose a breathable cooling mattress
Whilst you may already think you have one of the best mattresses money can buy, you may not have considered heat regulation. Sometimes it's not until the hotter weather comes that we realise just how warm we get during the night, and that's when having one of the best cooling mattresses can be life-changing.
"To help promote a better night’s sleep, ideally, a decrease in body temperature will help to combat interruptions in the sleep cycle," says Rebecca Mayes, a sleep expert at bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks. As a result, cooling mattresses made with breathable components should help you sleep better and longer."
Many mattress suppliers will specify if a particular model is cooling; however, it's always best to look out for absorbent, high-breathability fibre and wool filling options to ensure your cooling mattress works to keep you cool.
Bamboo and charcoal are well-known for their cooling properties, making this the mattress of dreams. At a competitive price, it's perfect for hot sleepers who want a simple mattress. You can find out more in our full OTTY Pure Pro Hybrid Bamboo & Charcoal Mattress review.
Handcrafted in Devon, this pocket-sprung mattress is made with naturally breathable cotton, wool, hemp, and flax. It's supremely comfortable and extra cooling, delivering a luxury sleep experience without the price tag. You can find out more in our full Button & Sprung Southdown Mattress review.
While some cooling mattresses opt for synthetic gels to ensure they're 'cooling', this option, which is hand-crafted in Devon, features natural fibres and materials which will automatically cool the body while being good for the environment, too. You can find out more in our full Naturalmat Superb Mattress review.
FAQs
Why is my bed making me so hot?
There are several reasons that your bed might be getting particularly hot, and the warm weather outside is of course the main one. However, if you're avoiding all the home cooling mistakes, then you might still be left confused.
Hafiz Shariff, Founder of Owl + Lark a sleep wellbeing company, says, "If you’re finding yourself feeling too hot in bed, it’s likely down to the type of mattress you have, the bedding materials you use, and your body’s natural temperature regulation."
He continues, "Memory foam and traditional spring mattresses can retain heat, while synthetic fabrics like polyester can trap moisture and warmth. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, look for one with better airflow properties and use moisture-wicking, breathable bedding to prevent overheating."
Creating a cooler bed, through mattress, bedding and clothing choice will ultimately make sleeping a lot easier through the summer months. Whilst it can be hard to regulate your body's temperature, having a bed that's designed to do so will have you sleeping much sounder.
What can I put on my bed to make it cool?
If you're struggling to cool down your bedroom, then adding things to your actual bed and dressing it differently can make all the world of difference.
Suzanne recommends the following for ensuring your actual bed is helping regulate your temperature...
- Breathable bedding: “Stick to natural fibres like cotton, linen or bamboo, they’re brilliant at allowing airflow and keeping moisture at bay.”
- Cooling toppers: “Look for mattress toppers infused with gel, bamboo, or phase-change materials for a noticeably cooler sleep surface.”
- Active cooling pads: “High-tech options like BedJet or Chilipad sit underneath your sheets and offer adjustable cooling, ideal for warm sleepers.”
Top tip: seek wool. This one may take you by surprise at first, but investing in a high-quality wool mattress topper can completely transform your summer bed set-up.
And the sleep experts agree. Laura Burnett, the head buyer at Feather & Black, says, "A wool mattress topper will also help keep the bed cool and comfortable, while adding an extra layer of comfort. Wool is very adept at regulating body temperature and super supportive too."
Our home team particularly love the wool mattress topper from the WoolRoom, with Lifestyle Editor Tamara Kelly praising this wool bedding for keeping her cool, in turn 'changing her life'.
There isn't much better when it comes to temperature-regulating bedding than wool. This deluxe topper from the Woolroom will not only add an extra layer of comfort to your bed but also help you say goodbye to night sweats.
If you're struggling to keep cool through the sweltering summer months, try out some of these tips and should your budget allow make some investments into your sleep routine.
When it comes to staying cool in summer, we all know keeping near a fan and staying hydrated are some of the best choices to make. Of course, it's not just how you set up your bed that will ensure a cool night's sleep, what you wear for bed is also important. Choosing some of the best pyjamas for night sweats might just transform your sleep routine overnight.
"To stay cool in bed you should stick to natural fibres such as cotton," advises Dr Lindsay Browning, a psychologist and sleep expert at And So To Bed, "Cotton pyjamas are great for the heat because they can help to wick away moisture, such as sweat."
She explains that this will help lower your temperature because the vapour is free to transfer through the fibre, which will lower the humidity between the fibre and the body providing you with a cool feeling.
