Stay Cool: Bedroom Temperature Control Strategies

With summer comes sunshine, holidays, and beach days, but it also brings stifling heat that can make it impossible to sleep. If you're looking for ways to keep your cool during hot summer nights, there are several tips and tricks you can try. From simple solutions like opening windows and using fans to more creative approaches like freezing your sheets or adding houseplants to your bedroom, there are plenty of options to help you beat the heat and get a good night's sleep.

Use cotton or linen sheets

Cotton or linen sheets are a great choice for keeping cool at night. These natural materials are more breathable than synthetic alternatives, allowing air to circulate and heat to escape. They also wick away moisture if you overheat and can dry quickly.

Cotton sheets are lightweight, soft, and breathable, providing good ventilation while you sleep. Linen sheets, meanwhile, are porous and breathable, so warm air won't get trapped next to your body.

High-quality cotton is the ideal bedding material to sleep between to stay cool, as it's the most breathable option. Cotton sheets with a high thread count are smoother and more comfortable, meaning you're less likely to feel tangled up or trapped.

Cotton or linen sheets are also incredibly soft to the touch, making them suitable for all skin types. If you're looking for something hypoallergenic, bamboo sheets are a good alternative.

During the summer, it's best to swap out thick bedding for natural, breathable materials like cotton or linen. Lightweight and light-coloured bed linens promote ventilation and airflow in the bedroom, helping you stay cool while you sleep.

Cool your mattress

A cool mattress is key to a good night's sleep. Here are some tips to keep your mattress cool:

• Choose a cooling mattress topper: A topper is a layer that sits on top of your mattress to give it a new lease of life. The gel within the topper feels cool to the touch when you get into bed, and natural fillings can help your body manage its temperature throughout the night.
• Try a cooling pillow: We lose around 10% of our body heat through our head, so a cooling pillow can make a big difference to your overall body temperature. Pillows with air vents or natural fibres can also help.
• Cool your bedroom: The cooler the room, the cooler your mattress will become. The recommended temperature for your bedroom is 16–20°C. Ceiling fans, air conditioning, and placing a bowl of ice water in front of a fan can all help to cool your room.
• Increase air circulation: Open windows, leave internal doors open, and open your attic hatch if you have one. This will allow cool air to flow into your bedroom.
• Swap your bedding: Choose sheets made from natural, breathable materials such as cotton, linen, or bamboo. These are more breathable and can wick away moisture if you overheat easily.
• Use a lightweight duvet: Opt for a lightweight duvet to keep your mattress feeling cool.
• Adjust your clothing: Keep clothing light and loose-fitting, and opt for natural, breathable materials like cotton.

Open windows at night

Opening your windows at night is a great way to cool your bedroom, but it's important to be strategic about it. The best time to open your windows is when the temperature outside is cooler than inside. This will allow you to bring in that cool air and create a comfortable sleeping environment.

To make the most of this strategy, you can use an app to monitor the temperature inside and outside your home. This way, you'll know exactly when to open and close your windows. It's also a good idea to open windows in the early evening or late at night, as temperatures tend to drop during these hours.

When you wake up in the morning, before the sun rises and the temperature starts to climb, close your windows and blinds. This will help trap the cool air inside your bedroom, keeping it comfortable for longer.

Additionally, consider creating a "chimney effect" by opening windows on opposite sides of your house. This technique works best if you have a multi-level home. Open the windows downstairs on the side of your house where the wind is coming from, then go upstairs and open windows on the opposite side. This will create a flow of air, with the wind coming in through the lower windows and escaping through the upper windows, taking the heat with it.

Remember, if you have air conditioning, opening your windows might not be the best idea, as it will make your AC unit work harder to maintain the desired temperature. However, if you want fresh air or the outdoor temperature is significantly cooler, opening your windows at night can be a great option.

Turn off appliances

Keeping your bedroom cool can be challenging, especially during a heatwave. Here are some detailed tips to keep your bedroom cool by turning off appliances:

• Turn off unnecessary appliances: Dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, phone chargers, and small appliances can generate heat. Turn off and unplug anything that isn't essential.
• Avoid using heat-producing appliances: Give your oven a rest and opt for grilling outdoors or choose meals that don't require heating, such as cold salads, veggies, and fruit-based dishes.
• Limit the use of small appliances: Toasters, microwaves, and hair dryers can produce heat. Sun-drying clothes outdoors instead of using the dryer can also help keep the heat out of your bedroom.
• Upgrade to energy-efficient lighting: Incandescent light bulbs emit a lot of heat. Switching to energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs can help cool your bedroom while reducing energy consumption.
• Turn off lights when not in use: Even with energy-efficient bulbs, remember to switch off lamps and overhead lighting when they're not in use or when the room is unoccupied.

By turning off and unplugging unnecessary appliances, avoiding heat-producing activities, and upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, you can effectively reduce the temperature in your bedroom.

Use houseplants

Houseplants are a great way to keep your bedroom cool. Not only do they add a touch of nature and elegance to your space, but they also provide numerous benefits for your well-being and can even act as natural coolants. Here are some tips and tricks to use houseplants to maintain a comfortable temperature in your bedroom:

Choose the Right Plants

Select houseplants that are known for their cooling properties. Some excellent options include:

• Ficus Elastica (Rubber Plant): This leafy tree helps to keep the air moist and cool. It prefers medium light and regular watering during the summer.
• Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): With its ability to purify toxins and high transpiration rate, this plant is perfect for improving humidity levels. It thrives in low light and requires little water.
• Mother-in-Law's Tongue (Snake Plant): The Mother-in-Law's Tongue, or Snake Plant, has high water content in its leaves, which helps to cool the air through transpiration. It also removes toxins from the air and can tolerate sunny spots.
• Peace Lily: Peace lilies are graceful and powerful transpirators. They thrive in indirect light and benefit from misting in drier climates.
• Boston Fern: Native to humid forests, the Boston Fern is an excellent natural air purifier and humidifier. Place it in filtered light and remember to mist it regularly.
• Aloe Vera: Known for its cooling properties on the skin, aloe vera also has a high water content, making it ideal for cooling down your bedroom. It loves the sun and requires regular watering in the summer.
• Golden Pothos: This versatile vine tolerates lower light conditions and helps improve air quality and humidity.
• Spider Plant: Spider plants produce baby spiderettes and send out long vines with air-purifying leaves, contributing to increased humidity. They thrive in semi-shaded areas and well-drained potting mix.

Group Plants Together

Create clusters of plants in one area to maximise the cooling effect. Grouping plants together helps to create a humid microclimate, preventing them from drying out and enhancing the transpiration process. Just be sure to avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as this can cause them to dry out quicker.

Repot Your Houseplants

Ensure your houseplants have enough space by repotting them into larger containers. Plants in tight spaces may transpire less due to water stress, so giving them room to breathe will improve their growing conditions and overall health.

Watering and Misting

Well-watered houseplants will encourage transpiration, helping to cool your bedroom. Increase your watering frequency during hot weather, and consider using a spray bottle to mist your plants regularly, especially if they start to dry out. Just avoid misting the leaves if they are in direct sunlight.

Frequently asked questions