Waking up too warm at 3 a.m. is one of the most common reasons for a broken night. Your body needs to cool down slightly to fall asleep and stay asleep, and what you sleep on can help or get in the way.
The short answer: silk is breathable and handles moisture well, so it does not trap heat against your skin. It feels cool when you are warm and comfortable when it is cold. It is not a medical treatment for night sweats, but it makes a warm night easier.
Why temperature matters for sleep
Your body temperature drops a little in the evening as part of falling asleep. Bedding that holds heat and moisture against you works against that. You wake, throw off the covers, cool down, and pull them back again.
What makes silk different
- It breathes. Silk is a natural protein fiber, and air moves through it.
- It handles moisture. Silk can take up moisture from your skin and let it go again without feeling damp.
- It is light. There is very little fabric weight sitting on you.
- It does not cling. A smooth surface is less sticky on warm skin.
The same properties work in winter: silk is a natural insulator for its weight, so it feels comfortable instead of cold when the room is cool.
Silk, cotton and polyester on a warm night
| Silk | Cotton | Polyester satin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breathability | High | High | Low |
| When you perspire | Stays comfortable | Absorbs and can feel damp | Can feel clammy |
| Feel on warm skin | Cool, smooth | Neutral | Warm, slippery |
| Weight | Light | Medium | Light |
If you have night sweats
Many women experience hot flashes and night sweats around perimenopause and menopause. Bedding does not treat them, and if they are frequent or disrupt your sleep, it is worth speaking to your doctor. What breathable bedding can do is make those nights more comfortable: it lets heat escape and feels less sticky against the skin. For the airiest feel, choose a lighter silk, around 19 momme.
Other things that help hot sleepers
- Keep the bedroom cool and well aired.
- Use layers you can push back instead of one heavy duvet.
- Choose natural fibers for what you wear to bed as well.
- Avoid alcohol and heavy meals close to bedtime.
- Keep a glass of water by the bed.
Questions people ask
Is silk too warm for summer?
No. Real silk is one of the more comfortable fabrics for warm weather. Polyester satin, which looks similar, is the one that traps heat.
Which momme is best for hot sleepers?
The lighter the silk, the airier it feels. 19 momme is the usual choice for people who sleep warm.
Start where your head rests, with our 100% mulberry silk pillowcases, and see whether a silk duvet cover is worth it.
