How Do Cooling Sheets and Bedding Work?

Understanding how cooling bedding works can help you choose the right layers for a good night’s rest, no matter the temperature. Some cooling bedding is made with materials engineered to help you regulate your body temperature, but some natural fabrics possess those same key qualities. Explore this guide to learn how cooling sheets and bedding work, and which options best suit your personal sleeping preferences. 

No fancy tech needed here: Cooling bedding is breathable and moisture-wicking—benefits often associated with natural materials like cotton and linen. Here, let’s break down what exactly these two qualities mean. 

Breathable sheets and bedding are made with fibers and fabrics that facilitate or allow ample air circulation, which helps prevent heat from being trapped between your body and your bedding. Breathability is influenced by fabric and weave. Look for natural, rather than synthetic, fibers in looser weaves, such as percale, which allow air to move more easily.  

Cooling bedding is made with moisture-wicking materials that draw perspiration, water, and humidity away from your body—first absorbing it, and then allowing it to evaporate. This keeps you drier and cooler overnight, so you don’t wake up sweaty or overheated.