Summertime bedding tips...
Updated 6/2020
After a day out in the sweltering heat, what feels nicer than hopping into a freshly made cool and crisp bed? Well, we think this experience is pretty hard to top.
As warmer months approach, many find their bedrooms get hot at night. While there are few options when it comes to the top of the bed. A down comforter and duvet cover are one of the most popular bed covers. In the summer, we do find that some find the comforter that they used in the winter to be too warm, especially in older homes and those bedrooms located on a second floor.
Many homes in the US are air-conditioned, so the temperature in these homes may not vary a lot from season to season. In most air-conditioned homes, there may be very little fluctuation in temperatures from summer to winter months. But if you find that your room is warmer than you prefer, here are some tips to lighten up the bed and cool it down a bit.
- Many people prefer a down comforter and duvet arrangement, but if your comforter is too warm, consider getting a second one that is lighter in weight. Simply swapping them out twice a year is an easy task and is a great solution.
- Having two weights of comforters is quite common and a practical solution to this conundrum.
- Down comforters do wear out, so when you change them out, this is a great time to inspect your comforter to determine if it needs replacing. One should check the wear of their comforter once a year.
- Down comforters also get soiled, if it doesn't need replacing, this is also an excellent time to wash your comforter (not dry clean). We recommend washing a comforter once a year. They do collect dust mites, body oil, and other stuff. Washing them solves these problems.
- Here is a link to our article explaining how to determine if your comforter is worn out.
- Here is a link to an article to show you how to wash (not dry-clean) your down comforter.
- A down blanket is a great alternative for those looking to cool down the bed a little. Down blankets are inexpensive, don't need a cover, and are very easily washed at home.
- Matelassé's are used in place of a duvet cover and down comforter in warmer months. A Matelassé is a single-ply fabric with texture. Some Matlelassé's appear to have a filling, while thinner ones don't. The reality is there is no padding at all within a Matlaessé fabric. Matelassé also provides a finished, flatter look to the bed. It is a good idea to use a top or flat sheet and blanket when using a Matlaessé, as the fabric in many Matelassé may feel a bit stiff or coarse. In addition, you will want an extra layer of protection for your Matelassé, which will be provided with a flat sheet and blanket.
- Quilted coverlets also provide an appealing and finished look to the top of the bed and they are very comfortable to sleep under. A quilted coverlet consists of two layers of fabric with a thin batting in between, which is usually polyester or cotton. The fabric is generally quilted with a decorative pattern. Many quilted coverlets are washable. To shop for our quilted coverlets, click here.
- Many people launder their sheets more frequently during the summer months. This is because we tend to produce more body oil and sweat. As a result, linens do not feel as clean by the end of the week. Bed sheets should be laundered every week and possibly more in the summer months.
- If you can't find the time to wash your sheets more often in the summer, you might want to have extra pillowcases on hand and change them out in the middle of the week. Pillowcases generally get dirtier than the rest of your bedding, as many people have oily faces. This is a quick and easy way to freshen up your bed.
- Using natural fibers with your bedding serves as an excellent way to be more comfortable when you sleep. This applies to your sheets and your top of the bed pieces. Natural fibers, such as cotton and linen, have better wicking properties, which keep you cooler by drawing moisture from your body.
Another tip that likely doesn’t have too much impact on the heat of the bed is to change up some of the colors on your bed and in your bedroom. Many opt to use jewel tone accents in the fall and winter months. If this is true with your bedroom, consider swapping some of the accents in your room to pastel colors. By doing this you will find the room takes on a lighter and fresher look.
Vero Linens can enhance your sleep experience throughout every season of the year. Visit our online showroom to view our luxury Italian bedsheets, and the different warmth levels of goose down comforters. In addition, we offer luxurious down sleeping pillows and other luxury bedding products.
You may also enjoy the following articles:
- Do Luxury Linens & Sheets Pill?
- How to get your bed ready for the cooler months.
- The different types of fabrics used in Luxury Bed Linens & Sheets
FAQ
What is the coolest fabric for bed sheets?
Natural fibers are superior fabrics for bedding as they typically breathe or wick moisture more so than synthetic fabrics.
- The most popular fabric for bedding is cotton. Cotton is abundant and comes in many different qualities and costs. Learn about the different grades of cotton and why thread count is almost meaningless here.
- The most popular weaves of cotton fabric are percale and sateen (not satin). Learn about the differences between these weaves here.
- Percale sheets are slightly cooler than sateen sheets.
- Linen, which is made from the flax plant, is a little cooler than cotton. However, many find linen to be coarse and scratchy. Linen will eventually become softer with continued washings. Good linen sheets are more expensive than good cotton bed sheets.
What is the best quilt or comforter for summer?
While many homes in the US are air conditioned, bedrooms can still become warmer than they might be during the cooler months. This may be especially true when a bedroom is on the second floor, or the home is older and not as adequately insulated as a newer home.
- During the warmer months, many elect to switch out the warmer down comforter that was used during the colder months for a coverlet or Matelassé (pronounced mat-la-zay).
- A coverlet is generally quilted, whereas a Matelassé is a single layer of fabric.
- Learn more about the difference between a Matelassé and a quilted coverlet here.
- Shop for our quilted coverlets here.
Some use a down comforter year-round, but they may have two comforters that have different levels of warmth (a lighter one for the summer months and a warmer one for the winter).
- Learn about the differences in down comforter warmth levels and down fill power here.
There are also different styles of down comforters – some are better than others.
Shop for the best baffle box down comforters here.
View our "bedding tips for the summer" article/video here.
Are quilts better for summer?
Perhaps, some people use a down comforter year-round because it provides a light cover that is unconstrained and very comfortable to sleep under.
- Some use a blanket, quilted coverlet, or Matelassé (pronounced mat-la-zay) during the summer months. As well, some use these items year-round. There isn't a right or wrong answer to this question. It is a matter of personal preference and your comfort requirements.
- During the warmer months, many elect to switch out the warmer down comforter that was used during the colder season for a coverlet or Matelassé (pronounced mat-la-zay).
- A coverlet is generally quilted, whereas a Matelassé is a single layer of fabric.
- Learn more about the difference between a Matelassé and a quilted coverlet here.
- View our "bedding tips for the summer" article/video here.
Can you use a duvet in summer?
Yes.
- A duvet is the actual insert that goes inside a duvet cover. A duvet cover is essentially a large pillowcase used to protect the down comforter from body oil and other items it may come in contact with.
- Down is the most popular filling, because it offers an excellent warmth to weight ratio. However, a duvet or comforter can be filled with synthetic fibers such as polyester, silk, and other materials.
- Feathers are occasionally used in a duvet or comforter, but feather is heavy. It is far less expensive than down.
- To learn the differences between down and feather, click here.
What is a duvet insert?
A duvet is the item that is inserted inside a duvet cover (which is used to protect and keep the duvet cleaner).
- In the US, many refer to a duvet as a down comforter.
- According to Google Translator, the word duvet in French translates to down. However, duvets are sometimes filled with other materials such as silk or polyester.
- Duvet's don't generate heat. They trap warm air coming from your body heat and act as an insulator.
- Duvets, also called a down comforter, come in different qualities and construction styles.
What do you put inside a duvet cover in the summer?
Most people put a duvet cover or down comforter inside a duvet cover.
- The principal reasons for using a duvet cover is to; one – protect the down comforter from debris that would soil it and two, to add a decorative finish to the top of the bed.
- Down comforters are washable (which is the preferred method of cleaning); however, cleaning a down comforter is more involved than washing a duvet cover. As well, continued washing of a down comforter will shorten its life.
- To learn the best way to wash your down comforter view our video and article found here.
- Down comforters do wear out, to learn when it is time to replace yours watch our video, or read our article found here.
- To shop for the best style of down comforter (which is a baffle box construction style), click here.
Is your duvet too hot in the summer?
Some may find a duvet AKA a down comforter, too warm for summer months or warmer climates.
- Down comforters are available in many different warmth levels. Because they are delightful to sleep under, many people will have two comforters, a lightweight one for the summer months, and a warmer one for the winter.
- Individuals vary in body temperature – some sleep hot, some sleep cold, and there are those that fall in the middle of these scenarios. So, there isn't a one size (warmth level) that satisfies everyone's needs.
- Because many homes in the US have air-conditioning, there often isn't a significant fluctuation in the temperature of one's home from season to season. However, we also know that bedrooms on a second floor or with older homes, the upstairs bedroom can be warmer than one prefers.
- Some individuals will use a down comforter in the cooler months and a lighter alternative, such as a Matelassé (pronounced mat-la-zay), which is a single layer of fabric. They may also use a blanket, or a quilted coverlet in the summer in place of a down comforter.
- If your comforter is too warm, consider a lighter weight version. Shop for our summer weight down comforters here.
- To view our luxury quilted coverlets, click here.
