Best Sheets for Night Sweats - Top Picks for 2023 • (2023)

FAQs

What kind of sheets are best for night sweats? ›

Material. Most of the sleep experts we spoke to agreed that sheets made of natural fibers, like cotton and linen, are your best bet for sweaty sleepers because they're the most breathable (and therefore cooling). When it comes to cotton, the weave of a fabric matters, too.

What type of sheets keep you cool? TENCEL™, bamboo, and cotton sheets all possess cooling properties at varying degrees. Amongst these three fabrics, TENCEL™ Lyocell sheets are the best choice for a cooling bed sheet due to their excellent moisture-wicking abilities and high breathability.

In most boutique and luxury hotels, the sheets are high-quality in a sateen or percale weave with a high thread count. 100% cotton sheets with a thread count of over 300 are popular in luxury hotels because they are affordable, breathable and withstand commercial washing.

The NSF recommends choosing cooling sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400, since sheets with lower thread counts aren't as comfortable, and sheets with higher thread counts tend to trap heat at night.

What bedding do you use for night sweats? Bamboo bedding is an excellent option to minimize night sweats because it can help keep you comfortable at night since the material is temperature regulating. Bamboo viscose can help maintain a consistent body temperature by wicking away excess heat and moisture.

Washing sweat-stained sheets

If you regularly suffer from night sweats, some adjustments to your laundry routine can stave off stains and the appearance of dinge. Wash your sheets weekly; the recommendation for frequency of sheet washing is every 1-2 weeks, but if you sweat in your sleep, aim for every week.

Percale is usually the best weave for cooling sheets

The two most popular weaves for cotton sheets are percale and sateen. Percale is lightweight, crisp and durable. Sateen is soft, smooth and has a lustrous sheen on the surface. it creates a crisper sheet that allows easier ventilation than sateen does.

The short answer: Yes. Organic bamboo threads provide a very breathable and lightweight sheet fabric, keeping you cool throughout the night. On average, bamboo sheets are known to keep the body temperature about 3 degrees cooler than cotton bedding would during the night.

Hotels opt for a percale weave over sateen as percale epitomizes the cool, crisp feeling typical of a luxury hotel suite. A percale weave is also naturally longer lasting as by definition, it's a tighter weave (one under, one over - in comparison, sateen is typically three over, one under).

What are considered high-quality sheets? ›

Quality, comfortable sheets can be found with thread counts ranging from 200 to 800 and beyond. There's no magic number that is the perfect thread count. That being said, there are generally acceptable ranges for various kinds of quality sheets. At a minimum, look for sheets with an advertised thread count of 200.

The term “percale” refers to a type of weave used to make bed sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding accessories. Most percale sheets are made of 100 percent cotton fabrics, but sometimes they are blended with other fabrics such as silk, synthetic, or rayon. Percale sheets are cool, crisp and breathable bed sheets.

What are the best materials for hot sleepers? Cotton, linen, or bamboo sheets may suit hot sleepers best, as they are lightweight and breathable. These materials allow for airflow and the absorption of moisture.

In our tests, top-rated bed sheets often have thread counts between 300 and 500. Anything above 500 isn't necessarily better (so don't be deceived when you see thread counts over 1,500), and on the flip side, you can still find quality sheets with thread counts under 300.

Sheets with a thread count between 600-800 are considered very high quality. A 1500 thread count is through the roof. If you're suspicious about a set of 1500 thread-count sheets for $22 dollars, you're right to be.

Your doctor may also prescribe other medications for hot flashes, such as paroxetine and gabapentin. Venlafaxine is also used off-label for night sweats. Underlying infection. Depending on the type of infection you have, antibiotics, antiviral drugs, or other medications may help treat it.

Avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine. These can make menopausal symptoms worse. If you smoke, try to quit, not only for hot flashes, but for your overall health.

It's normal to sweat during the night if the room or your bedding is making you too hot. Night sweats are when you sweat so much that your night clothes and bedding are soaking wet, even though where you're sleeping is cool. Adults and children can get night sweats.

Cotton sheets are a must have for sufferers of night sweats, as they are much more breathable than polyester. Avoid sheets with a high thread count, as the tightly woven threads don't allow air to pass through. Opt for percale sheets, which are cool and lightweight due to their simple weave.

4. Take a Cold Shower to Reduce Sleep Sweating. Taking a hot shower before putting on your performance sleepwear and going to bed may relax your muscles, but it also raises your body temperature. Try reducing the temperature gradually until you're comfortable taking lukewarm showers at night.

What is better Supima or Egyptian cotton? ›

Supima cotton stands for “superior cotton,” which is a step above Egyptian cotton in quality and feel. The fibers have superior durability and can stand up to washings easily. You will find that because supima cotton is so soft, your night's sleep will be comfortable and easy.

As with a good mattress pad and mattress, cotton sheets can be a game changer in regulating your body temperature at night. Cotton, or any natural, breathable fabric is a much better option than polyester, and much more breathable.

Egyptian Cotton Sheets. The differences between percale and Egyptian cotton sheets lie in the material itself. Similar to percale sheets, Egyptian cotton bed sheets feature a very high thread count. However, Egyptian cotton is only made with the cotton that grows only in the Nile region of Egypt.

While it may be harder to come by, bamboo linen, also known as bast bamboo fiber, uses a chemical-free mechanical process that may appeal more to eco-conscious shoppers. However, the resulting fabric tends to be somewhat coarse and prone to wrinkling.

Fortunately, bamboo's moisture-wicking properties prevent bacteria and odours from settling on your sheets, as well as dust and mites for those who are prone to night time sneezing! On the other hand, Egyptian cotton, while gentle on the skin, isn't quite as resistant to allergens such as mites and odours.

Cons of Bamboo Fabric

The chemicals used to process the fabric are harmful to human health and the environment. Shrinkage of the Fabric: Bamboo fabric tends to shrink at a faster rate compared to cotton. Expensive: Natural bamboo fabric tends to be more expensive than the rayon type or even cotton.

TOP SWEAT-RESISTANT FABRICS

Polyester. Rayon. Cotton/lycra blend. Nylon.

Cotton. Lightweight and high-quality cotton is breathable. This type of material allows air to flow giving you the best chance to cool off and for the fabric to dry faster, which helps eliminate sweat stains. Clothes for sweating typically contain cotton or a mix of cotton within blends.

The results showed that cotton fabric absorbed the least amount of heat. The synthetic fabric, polyester, absorbed the most heat. This information about fabric content and heat absorption could be useful in choosing clothing for comfort in different seasons.

Egyptian cotton is the most luxurious variety. This is is the choice if you want super-soft, high-quality bed sheets. Grown in the warm, dry climates of North Africa, Egyptian cotton has extra-long fibers that create the softest, smoothest fabric. Pima cotton is also known for its softness and natural sheen.

Why are top sheets becoming obsolete? ›

Detractors of top sheets claim this bed linen item is no longer serving a meaningful purpose. Their main argument is that top sheets never stay put and usually end up tangled or crumpled at the foot of the bed. Because of that, the sheets don't really protect the duvet cover.

One of the most well-known secrets of the hotel industry in keeping their sheets enviably is peroxide-based detergents. Bleach is also added to the mix. While these chemicals are truly effective in preventing white linens from greying or turning yellow, they do require some level of expertise.

A higher number of threads per inch usually means each yarn is finer, so more of them will fit in the square, creating a smooth yet strong weave. As we mention above, thread counts of 200 to 300 for percale, 300 to 600 for sateen, and 80 to 120 for linen should indicate a good-quality fabric.

The short answer is a resounding “yes” -- but it requires a bit of expert insight. Of course, we think you cannot put a price on a great night's sleep. That said, luxury linen is an investment and you deserve to understand precisely why expensive bed sheets are worthwhile.

Martha Stewart thinks so. Her recommended bedding is Egyptian cotton sheets, and we were excited to discover that the Egyptian cotton sheets her magazine says are the best rated aren't from some fancy boutique we'd never step foot in – they're actually available on Amazon!

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference – the crisp, cool hand of percale or the silky luxury of sateen. Either way, you can't go wrong with high-quality, 100% cotton bedding made from proven pure pima cotton.

Egyptian cotton sheets made with Percale weaving style are one of the strongest materials. The weaving style and the fact that the cotton is durable makes this a fabric that can last for a very long time.

Linen and cotton are both ideal fabrics for sleeping in the heat. They are woven from natural fibers (cotton is cotton, while linen is woven from the flax plant) that breathe remarkably well, which is key for staying cool.

What is the highest Egyptian cotton thread count? ›

The thread count for luxury quality Egyptian cotton, is from 200 threads per cm². Cotton sateen is a weave that offers a lighter, silkier, shinier fabric on one side and a more matte one on the other. For an extreme luxury drape, the weave can reach up to 1,000 threads.

The NSF recommends choosing cooling sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400, since sheets with lower thread counts aren't as comfortable, and sheets with higher thread counts tend to trap heat at night.

Egyptian cotton sheets are often considered the height of luxury. They're prized for their superior softness, durability, and breathability. The distinct feel of Egyptian cotton sheets come from the unique properties of Egyptian cotton itself.

Comfortable, durable, luxury sheets – the ones that you reach for again and again that become even softer and more wonderful after years of use and washing – usually have thread counts from 200 to 600, depending on the material and finishing used for the product.

Cotton sheets are more breathable than microfiber and won't trap heat as easily, providing a more comfortable sleep. However, microfiber sheets can be more durable than cotton sheets, as natural fibers — particularly less expensive cotton options — can break down more easily with frequent washes.

Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well — or even soften — over time. Good sheets range anywhere from 200 to 800, although you'll occasionally see numbers over 1,000.

Bamboo sheets are cool, breathable and absorbent

They are also cooler to the touch than cotton sheets. Beyond that, bamboo can absorb 40% more water than cotton. So a bamboo sheet is a great choice to absorb sweat.

Adjust the thermostat, use fans, open windows (if it's cold outside), wear breathable pajamas and use lightweight bedding. Cool yourself down. If you wake up in a sweat, uncover your feet and neck, drink a glass of cold water, place a cool washcloth on your head or run cold water over your wrists.

Some materials are more breathable than others. Fleece and polyester, for instance, are known to trap heat next to the body for a warmer night's sleep. However, a material can be breathable but not moisture-wicking, leaving you humid and hot.

"Night sweats can be caused by a number of medical conditions. Some of the most common causes include the menopause, anxiety, medicines, low blood sugar, infections, alcohol or drug misuse, and hyperhidrosis," says Gilani.

What is the difference between night sweats and sweating at night? ›

Sweating is the body's natural way of cooling down. It happens to everyone throughout the day and most people will also sweat to some degree during the night. The key difference between harmful and harmless night sweats is the quantity of sweat, and the temperature at which they occur.

Night sweats can be a manifestation of simple infection, underlying malignancy, more complex infections – including TB and HIV – connective tissue disorders, menopause or certain prescribed drugs. It's also important not to overlook possible psychological causes, such as night terrors secondary to PTSD.

As a general rule, you should wash your sheets every one to two weeks, says Goodman. That being said, if you or your sleeping partner get sweaty, have sex, snooze in the nude, or share your bed with pets, you're dirtying up your sleep space more than you would if you were, say, sleeping alone in your PJs.