How to Keep Your Bed Cool for a Better Night’s Sleep

Hot summer nights can make it hard to get comfortable. Your sheets stick to your skin, your mattress holds onto heat, and even your pillow feels too warm. All that adds up to tossing, turning, and trying to find a cool spot that isn’t there.

Sure, running the AC or closing the curtains can help cool down the room, but that doesn’t always fix the stuffy, sticky feeling you get in bed. That’s why it’s worth finding a few simple ways to keep your actual sleep setup cooler—it can make a big difference in how well you rest.

How to Keep a Bed Cool During Hot Nights

1. Choose Bedding Made from Natural Fibers

For cooler sleep, choose bedding made from natural fibers. These materials let air flow better than synthetic ones and help wick away moisture, so you stay comfortable all night.

Common natural fibers include high-tech nylon, cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo, each with its own feel and breathability. Cotton is especially popular because it’s soft, breathable, and absorbs moisture well. Egyptian cotton, for example, has fibers that let air pass through easily, which helps keep you cool.

The way the fabric is woven also makes a difference. Percale weave, with its simple over-under pattern, creates a lightweight, crisp texture that lets more air circulate compared to tighter weaves. When picking summer sheets, look for natural fibers with a breathable weave like percale to keep airflow and moisture under control.

Rest offers some of the best bedding options designed with these principles. Their Evercool®+ line includes sheets, comforters, and pillows that use breathable materials and cooling technology to help regulate temperature and reduce moisture, making them a great choice for hot nights.

So, when shopping for bedding, go for natural fibers over synthetics, choose high-tech nylon or cotton for softness and breathability, and consider percale weave for better airflow. Just keep in mind that linen and hemp can wrinkle or feel rough, and bamboo involves chemical processing if you’re concerned about the environment.

2. Choose a Mattress Topper That Enhances Cooling

If you’re looking to make your bed feel cooler without investing in a new mattress, a cooling mattress topper is a smart option. Most toppers are made from gel-infused memory foam or latex to help draw heat away and keep the surface fresh. You can also try placing gel cooling pads inside your pillowcase to cool down your head and neck, which is great for those warm nights when you need extra relief.

3. Cool Your Sheets Before Sleeping

For a quick way to cool down, try putting your sheets in the fridge before bedtime. Wrap them up well so they don’t absorb any smells or moisture. It’s a simple trick that can make a big difference when crawling into a hot bed.

If that sounds like too much work, no worries—you can always get some of the best cooling sheets out there, which will do the job for you and keep you comfortable all night without any extra fuss.

4. Replace Heavy Comforters with Lightweight Bedding

If you want to keep things cooler, swap heavy comforters for simple sheets or lighter blankets. Lightweight down or down alternatives can give you some warmth without making you overheat. You can also find cooling comforters designed specifically to help regulate your temperature. The key is to choose bedding that feels soft but still lets air flow, so you stay comfortable all night long.

5. Consider a Mattress Climate Control System

If you have trouble keeping your bed at the right temperature, a mattress climate control system might help. These gadgets blow air through your mattress and sheets to cool things down or warm them up, depending on what you need. They adjust quickly, so you get relief from night sweats and heat, and they make your bed more comfortable, whether it’s hot or cold outside. When picking one, look for features like adjustable fan speeds, heating for winter, and quick moisture-wicking to keep you dry.

6. Use Soft, Neutral Colors

Choosing light, neutral colors like soft gray, beige, or natural tones can make your bedroom feel calm and cooler. These colors don’t soak up heat like darker ones, so they help keep the room more comfortable without you even realizing it. White bedding, in particular, gives a fresh and clean feel that’s perfect for hot weather, making your space feel more open and inviting. Plus, lighter colors just look less heavy, which adds to that easy, relaxed vibe you want when winding down for the night.

7. Align Your Sleeping Space with Natural Airflow

Try placing your bed near windows or vents where air can move around easily. Opening windows at night lets in fresh air, which helps cool your room naturally. Getting good airflow around your bed can make a big difference in keeping you comfortable without having to rely just on fans or air conditioning.

8. Use Breathable Pajamas or Sleepwear

Stick to lightweight, loose-fitting sleepwear made from natural fabrics like cotton or bamboo. These materials let your skin breathe and help you stay cool overnight. Steer clear of synthetics like polyester, which tend to trap heat and sweat, making you feel even warmer.

9. Hydrate Before Bed

A cool drink of water before you sleep can help lower your core temperature and keep you hydrated. It’s a small step, but it makes a difference—staying hydrated helps your body manage heat better while you rest.

Why Does My Bed Make Me Overheated?

Some mattresses, especially the thick foam ones, tend to hold heat and keep it close to your body. When you add heavy comforters or synthetic sheets on top, it can block airflow and make things feel even warmer.

If you want to keep your bed cooler, try a few simple things:

• Pick a mattress that’s designed to stay cool or isn’t super thick
• Choose sheets and blankets made from breathable materials like cotton, linen, or bamboo
• Skip heavy blankets that trap heat and make you feel stuffy

These small changes can really help make your bed feel more comfortable and cool through the night.

Fast Ways to Chill Your Bed

Try placing an ice pack wrapped in a thin cloth under your sheets to quickly cool things down. It won’t stay cold all night, but it can give you some short-term relief as you settle in.

Pair it with breathable sheets or a cooling mattress topper for a more lasting effect. These help regulate temperature better through the night.

Also, try to avoid things that raise your body temperature before bed, like late workouts or heavy meals. The cooler you are, the cooler your bed will feel.

Quick tips to cool down your bed:

• Use an ice pack or two for a quick cool-down
• Pick bedding that pulls moisture away from your skin
• Keep your bedroom temperature low if you can
• Avoid anything that heats you up right before bed, like a hot drink or an intense workout
• Try a cooling mattress pad or topper for extra comfort
• Point a fan toward your bed to keep air moving
• Turn off lights and electronics early—they add heat to the room

Final Take

Getting better sleep during hot nights doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether switching to breathable sheets, using a cooling topper, or simply opening a window for fresh air, small changes can make a big difference. It’s all about keeping your sleeping space light, airy, and well-ventilated. And if you’d rather skip the trial and error, investing in cooling products, like Rest’s Evercool®+ bedding, can take the guesswork out of it. Stay cool, sleep well, and wake up ready to take on the day.