Why Natural Materials Sleep Cooler Than Synthetics

Picture this: You’re tucked in bed, ready for a good night’s sleep. It’s the most relaxing moment of your day—except you’re a little warm. You know that without your covers, you’ll be shivering, and with them, you’ll overheat. It’s the all-too-familiar blanket battle, and it can happen when our sleep temperature is off. Luckily, the solution is as simple as changing our sheets.

Before we fall asleep, our core body temperature drops slightly and signals that it’s time for rest. This is why a sleeping environment that’s too warm can cause restlessness. In the quest for cooler sleep, replacing your synthetic bedding with natural materials can make a world of difference. There are several natural options, like cotton, wool, and linen, but you could also start by choosing natural latex over synthetic latex, which can make a big impact for both you and the environment.

avocado organic linen duvet cover in indigo

Photo courtesy of Avocado.

Natural Bedding Materials Can Cool Us Down. Here’s Why.

There are several reasons why choosing natural bedding materials can keep us pleasantly cool in our sleep, but simply put, they keep air circulating and dissipate heat. This is because natural bedding is:

Breathable: Natural materials allow for better air circulation due to their inherent structure. According to one article from Locofast.com called “The Science of Breathability: What Makes a Fabric Cool,” the softness and looser weave of cotton products allow air to pass through more easily.
Moisture wicking: When a material is moisture-wicking, it removes excess moisture from the body and allows it to evaporate, giving us that satisfying, dry–cool effect. According to Threadsy.com, natural materials excel at wicking moisture because their structure allows for capillary action, which pulls sweat away from the body through small passages in the fiber.
Thermal regulated: For the same reasons many natural materials are breathable and moisture-wicking, they also regulate temperature by trapping air within their fibers—providing insulation without overheating. This makes natural bedding a great option to adapt with the changing of the seasons.

Natural vs Synthetic Materials: What’s the difference?

Natural materials are exactly what they sound like: Their fibers are made from raw plant, animal, or mineral matter that don’t require chemicals. Natural materials are used to make products like textiles and paper, and in the mattress industry, cotton, wool, silk, bamboo, and natural latex are popular. At Avocado, we use organic GOTS-certified cotton and wool, and organic GOLS-certified latex. These kinds of materials are known for their superior softness, comfort, and, as mentioned before, breathability—not to mention, a win for the environment.

Synthetic materials come from man-made chemicals, often derived from petroleum instead of natural plant or animal resources. Despite not being natural, synthetics usually try to replicate a natural product. While synthetics can be helpful in outdoor furniture applications due to their durability, it’s best to avoid these materials inside—and especially in your mattress and bedding. Common synthetic materials are:

Nylon
Microfiber
Polyester
Acrylic
Spandex
Pleather

So, why exactly can these materials contribute to that warm, damp feeling keeping you up at night? Synthetic fibers simply don’t have the inherent structure and properties of their natural counterparts. The fibers of synthetic bedding are more prone to heat and humidity buildup, sealing moisture between the sheets instead of wicking it away.

making the bed with avocado percale organic cotton sheets in sage

Photo courtesy of Avocado.

Getting To Know Your Natural Materials

Now that we’re on the same page about the cooling effect of natural bedding, let’s talk about some of our favorite options, why they’re great, and how they feel in bed.

Cotton

If you’re prone to overheating more than the average person, cotton could be your ideal mattress material. Plant-derived, breathable, and long-lasting, cotton is a fantastic entry point into natural bedding. According to Perfectlysnug.com, cotton’s superpower is its ability to absorb moisture—up to 27 times its own weight. Organic cotton, like the kind used in Avocado mattresses, also gets bonus points for its sustainability. In the article “What is an organic mattress?” from Tomsguide.com, Grace Franks says, “Organic cotton is grown in rainier areas, unlike some standard cottons that use up lots of water for irrigation. Organic cotton is also grown without toxic pesticides.”

Wool

The magic of wool lies in its naturally thermoregulating properties. It’s how sheep stay warm and dry through harsh mountain winters and cool through the summer. Our wool comes from sheep at the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, where they are free to roam and graze on organic pastures.

If you’re losing sleep because you can’t seem to find the right body temperature—one minute too warm, and the next, too cold—a wool mattress and bedding are perfect for you. Says George Mathew, our Vice President of Organics, “Wool is a wonderful fiber… It is crimpy and elastic and readily absorbs moisture.” Wool also earns bonus points for its classic comfort, natural odor management, and flame-retardant qualities.

Natural Latex

This material deserves a shoutout for its soft, cool durability. And just because it comes from nature, that doesn’t mean it lacks comfort: Natural latex is known for its superior cradling support with just enough bounce, on top of its breathable properties. The organic, natural latex used in our mattresses is a renewable resource: derived from trees that aren’t damaged in the extraction process.

Staying Cool: The Secret To Uninterrupted Sleep

Next time you’re awake in the middle of the night, wondering why you’re uncomfortable in bed, tune into your body temperature. Do you feel stifled? Overheated? Itchy? Constricted? It’s time to play it cool with organic, natural bedding. Just a simple sheet swap could mean years of better sleep to come.

Photo courtesy of Avocado.

Read more: Our Organic Wool

Have feedback on our story? Email [email protected] to let us know what you think!

Kelly is a freelance writer from New York’s Hudson Valley. She gravitates toward stories about art, culture, food, and thoughtful living, and always aims to bring a fresh perspective to the page.