If you’re tossing off the covers halfway through the night or waking up sweaty and restless, you’re not alone. Sleeping hot is one of the most common sleep complaints, especially as temperatures climb into spring and summer.
Most people immediately blame their sheets—and while breathable bedding helps, it’s rarely the whole story. If you’re serious about cooling down your sleep, here’s what’s really causing the heat, and what to change (starting from the inside out).
Your Mattress Might Be the Problem
Many conventional mattresses trap heat. Foam-based beds, in particular, are notorious for holding onto body heat and limiting airflow. Synthetic materials like memory foam contour to your body—but also retain warmth and restrict breathability, especially if there’s no natural ventilation layer between you and the foam.
What to do instead: Choose a mattress made with natural, breathable materials like organic latex, wool, and cotton. These materials regulate temperature more effectively, wick away moisture, and allow air to circulate naturally throughout the night.
Organic latex = pressure relief without the heat retention
Organic wool = moisture-wicking and thermoregulating
Organic cotton = soft, breathable, and naturally cool
Your Pillow Could Be Overheating You
Just like your mattress, your pillow plays a role in nighttime overheating. Memory foam or synthetic fill pillows can trap heat around your head and neck, which are sensitive to temperature shifts while you sleep.
What to do instead: Switch to a pillow made with natural latex or wool fill. These materials promote airflow and help regulate heat while still offering supportive comfort.
Moisture = Heat. Fix Your Layers.
If you sleep in synthetic pajamas or use a polyester mattress protector, your bedding might be holding onto sweat, which then gets trapped, making you feel even hotter. Moisture on the skin tricks your body into thinking it’s overheating, triggering more sweating.
What to do instead:
- Sleep in lightweight, breathable layers (organic cotton or linen is best)
- Use a moisture-wicking mattress protector
- , like one made from organic cotton
- Choose organic cotton sheets that allow your skin to breathe, rather than synthetic blends that trap moisture
Cool, clean, comfortable sleep starts with what you sleep on. You can crank up the A/C, toss your blankets, or switch your sheets—but if your mattress is made with synthetic, heat-trapping materials, you’ll still wake up warm.
At My Green Mattress, we build mattresses using certified organic, breathable materials that naturally regulate your temperature while you sleep. That means fewer night sweats, better rest, and a cooler, calmer night—no matter the season. Shop organic mattresses and bedding
