As much as we love the summer weather and the warm sunshine the season brings, there’s nothing worse than being too hot at night.
At Barretts, we’ve collected some useful tips to help keep you cool at night and in your home!
How to Keep Cool This Summer
Choose the Right Mattress
Natural mattresses, particularly those made from materials like latex, wool, and organic cotton, have several characteristics which help keep you cool during sleep. Here are some helpful reasons why natural mattresses can provide a cooler sleep environment:
Breathability
Again, breathability is the buzz-word – natural materials tend to be more breathable compared to synthetic ones. For example, latex and wool have open cell structures that allow air to circulate freely, promoting better ventilation. This helps to dissipate body heat and prevents it from being trapped in the mattress, keeping you cool throughout the night.
Moisture-Wicking Properties
Wool is known for its moisture-wicking capabilities. It can absorb and release moisture, known as sweat, from your body which helps regulate your body temperature. This prevents you from feeling damp and sweaty, enhancing overall comfort.
Organic Cotton Covers
Many natural mattresses use organic cotton covers, which are softer and more breathable than synthetic alternatives. The use of organic cotton promotes better airflow and temperature regulation, contributing to a cooler sleep surface.
Sustainable Foam Alternatives
Some natural mattresses use latex (Dunlopillo) which is made from the sap of rubber trees. This type of mattress can have an open-cell structure, allowing air to flow through easily and preventing heat build-up.
Use Natural Fibres Bed Linens
In order to help keep cool whilst you are sleeping, you may want to consider cotton and linen bed sheets as they provide breathability.
As cotton and linen are natural fibres, they naturally have a porous structure allowing better air circulation which permits moisture to escape, thus keeping you cooler. This is useful during the hotter weather when the body generates more heat and sweat.
Investing in natural fibre bed sheets helps to wick away moisture, promoting evaporation which helps to keep you dry and cool whilst sleeping. Also, because natural fibres are often lighter in terms of weight, this provides a higher degree of comfort as it assists with better airflow around the body. Conversely, natural fibres have better insulating properties during cooler months.
Invest in Summer Weight Duvets – And Electric Fans!
Summer weight duvets are the perfect choice for use during the summer months – look out for anything up to 4.5 tog for a cool yet comfortable night’s sleep.
The lower-tog duvets are specifically designed to be lightweight in comparison to the heavier tog duvets which have a denser filling and provide more insulation during colder months. When it comes to the materials used for summer weight duvets, again, they tend to be made of natural fibres and/or more breathable fabrics. This allows more air circulation and breathability whilst you sleep, helping to regulate your body temperature and prevent overheating.
Electric Fans
Investing in a good electric fan to help provide vital airflow around the body is a sure-fire way to keep you and your family cool. This is a cost-effective way to keep cool, as they provide an instant cooling effect due to the enhanced evaporation of perspiration during the summer months.
In hotter weather, the body generates more heat which causes the body’s natural cooling process to kick-in, which is what we know as ‘sweating’.
Pick Soft Curtains & Blinds
Looking to keep your home cool this summer, yet feeling unsure about the right choices for the individual rooms in your home?
Look no further, we have a professional team of Window Treatment Experts to help you navigate the available choices for each and every room in your home, depending on the level of sun exposure within each room.
Built-in Sun Protection
Many of us have sunny, south-facing rooms which, in the heat of summer, can become extremely hot. One solution to consider is to invest in a blind which offers built-in sun protection.
Blinds with a sunscreen are a great solution to help reduce glare and heat in any room without filtering out the summer light and will also help to protect your furniture and floors from fading during the summer months. These blinds are extremely durable and are easy to maintain; just wipe the blind down with a damp cloth.
Black-out Blinds
Another reliable option for keeping cool and to keep the summer light at bay are Black-out Blinds which come in an array of beautiful patterns and textures to suit any home. So, if your aim is to block out the early morning sun, this is a tried-and-tested option.
Venetian & Vertical Blinds
Venetian and Vertical Blinds can be angled to follow the path of the sun during the day to block out the sun’s glare and subsequently cool the temperature of the room.
Lining Your Curtains
If you prefer the more decorative look of curtains, you can also gain cooling benefits by choosing a specific lining for your curtains to help keep your home cool by blocking out the light and thus, reducing the temperature of the room.
Honeycell Technology
Another buzzword in the world of window treatments is “Honeycell” technology which provides insulation properties. This helps keep your room cool in the summer by reflecting the heat from the sun during the summer months and provides heat-retention in the winter.
We invite you to get in touch to book your complimentary measure and to discuss the perfect window dressing solution for the rooms in your home with one of our trained experts. We also invite you to visit our store to browse our wide ranges of mattresses, bed linens, curtains and blinds first-hand.
