Evie Summers
If you're someone who frequently wakes up in a cold sweat or needs to keep the air conditioner on all night, a cooling blanket may be a good investment. Designed to help regulate your body temperature while you sleep, cooling blankets are a type of passive cooling system that works by absorbing body heat and releasing it into the surrounding air. They are usually made from breathable fabrics that wick away moisture and absorb heat, preventing it from being trapped in your mattress and blanket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To prevent hot sleeping and improve sleep quality |
| Working | Allow heat to pass through its breathable fibers and dissipate; Wick up excess moisture; Absorb and release body heat |
| Types | Air cooling blankets; Cooling mattresses; Cooling mattress pads; Cooling sheets; Cooling towels; Blackout curtains |
| Materials | Cotton; Wool; Down; Bamboo; Eucalyptus; Linen; Percale; Silk; NASA Outlast technology; Belgian flax; Polyester; Fiberfill; Gel |
| Benefits | Improved sleep quality; Reduced night sweats; Lower air conditioning bills; Improved pain management; Reduced stress and anxiety |
| Considerations | Size; Weight; Washing requirements; Price |
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What You'll Learn
Cooling blankets improve sleep quality
Cooling blankets are designed to prevent hot sleeping. They work by allowing heat to pass through their breathable fibres and dissipate, rather than trapping body heat like a regular blanket. They also wick up excess moisture, which contributes to cooling because moisture traps heat.
Cooling blankets can be particularly useful during the hot summer months, when people tend to experience more atypical sleep patterns due to the heat. By removing excess heat and wicking away moisture, cooling blankets can help improve sleep quality.
There are a variety of cooling blankets available on the market, incorporating different technologies and materials. Some use NASA-developed technology, employing tiny microcapsules called thermocules that absorb and release body heat, creating a stable thermal environment for the sleeper. Others are filled with a gel that helps to regulate body temperature.
When choosing a cooling blanket, it's important to consider your specific needs. Some people may be looking for relief from hot flashes, night sweats, or chronic pain, while others may simply want to manage their body temperature during sleep. It's also worth noting that some cooling blankets have special washing and drying requirements that may not be convenient for everyone.
While there is limited scientific research on the effectiveness of cooling blankets, positive customer reviews suggest that they can help improve sleep quality, especially for individuals experiencing disrupted sleep due to heat.
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They reduce night sweats
Night sweats can turn a peaceful night's sleep into a damp mess. Cooling blankets are designed to reduce night sweats by absorbing excess body heat and wicking away moisture, thus significantly lessening the heat under your linen sheets. This helps to regulate your body temperature while you sleep.
Cooling blankets incorporate a variety of approaches to the problem of hot sleeping. Traditional cooling blankets are made of breathable fabrics that allow heat to pass through their fibres and dissipate. They also wick up excess moisture, which contributes to cooling because moisture traps heat.
Some cooling blankets use NASA technology developed for space suits. The fabric is embedded with tiny micro-capsules called thermocules that absorb body heat when the ambient temperature is high and release it when the temperature drops, creating a stable thermal environment for the sleeper.
Cooling blankets can be a great way to get relief from hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopause symptoms. They can also help improve sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety, and ease pain. If you're considering buying a cooling blanket, be sure to do your research to find the right one for you.
There are a variety of cooling blankets available at different prices to suit various budgets. Some alternatives to cooling blankets include cooling mattresses, cooling mattress pads, and air conditioning.
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Blankets use breathable fabrics
Blankets that use breathable fabrics are a great way to improve sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety, and ease pain. They are designed to help regulate body temperature while sleeping. The ideal temperature for sleep varies depending on the season and type of bedding, but it generally falls between 17°C and 28°C.
Breathable fabrics are more comfortable for sleeping as they allow heat to pass through their fibres and dissipate, rather than trapping body heat and creating uncomfortable sleeping conditions. They also wick up excess moisture, which contributes to cooling because moisture traps heat.
There are a variety of breathable fabrics to choose from. For example, the Lightweight Humidity Fighting Duvet from Casper is made from 100% cotton and includes a layer of merino wool, which has excellent moisture-wicking and cooling properties. The Duvet Alternative from Casper is another option, which is made with a TENCEL™ Lyocell fibre shell and 100% recycled polyester. This cooling duvet cover is designed to keep you cool and is also eco-friendly. The Elegear Cooling Throw is a lightweight, breathable blanket made from Belgian flax, a fabric known for its softness, breathability, and durability. It is also machine washable.
Cooling blankets developed by NASA employ Outlast technology, which uses fabrics embedded with tiny microcapsules called thermocules that absorb body heat when the ambient temperature is high and release it when the temperature drops, creating a stable thermal environment for the sleeper.
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Some use NASA-developed technology
The problem of sleeping hot is a common one, and cooling blankets are designed to address this issue. Some cooling blankets use NASA-developed technology, invented in the 1980s to keep astronauts cool when passing through high-temperature zones.
These cooling blankets employ Outlast technology, which uses thermocules, or tiny microcapsules, embedded in the fabric. These thermocules absorb body heat when the ambient temperature is high and release it when the temperature drops, creating a stable thermal environment for the sleeper. This technology allows heat to pass through the blanket's breathable fibres and dissipates, rather than trapping body heat like a regular blanket.
Cooling blankets that use NASA technology can be particularly effective for those who experience disrupted sleep due to heat, helping to regulate body temperature and improve sleep quality. They can also reduce night sweats by absorbing excess heat and wicking away moisture, which further contributes to cooling as moisture traps heat.
While these blankets have received positive reviews, there is limited scientific research to support their effectiveness. However, they present a potential alternative to turning up the air conditioning, which can increase energy usage and affect humidity levels.
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They can be made from natural fibres
Cooling blankets are designed to prevent hot sleeping. Traditional blankets trap body heat and create uncomfortable sleeping conditions, while cooling blankets allow heat to pass through their breathable fibres and dissipate. They also wick up excess moisture, which contributes to cooling as moisture traps heat.
Cooling blankets can be made from natural fibres such as bamboo, eucalyptus, linen, cotton, and wool. Bamboo and eucalyptus fibres are known as viscose, rayon, or lyocell and are made from regenerated cellulose. Although the final product doesn't contain any of the original cellulose material, these regenerated cellulose fibres can help keep you cool because of their moisture-wicking capabilities.
Cotton is a popular choice for cooling blankets, as it is breathable and lightweight. For example, the Elegear Cooling Throw is made from Arc-Chill 3.0 Cool Fabric, which the manufacturer claims can dissipate heat ten times faster than cotton. The Lightweight Humidity Fighting Duvet from Casper is another option made from 100% cotton and a layer of merino wool, which has cooling properties.
Other natural fibres that can be used for cooling blankets include alpaca, cashmere, and hemp. For example, Avocado offers a GOTS-certified organic cotton muslin blanket, and Bearaby offers a weighted cooling blanket made with Tencel from Austria and organic cotton from India.
When choosing a cooling blanket made from natural fibres, it is important to consider factors such as comfort, softness, size, and washability. Some natural fibres, such as wool, are naturally anti-odor and do not need to be washed as often as synthetic blankets. It is also important to look for certifications and labels from organisations like Oeko-Tex and bluesign to ensure that the dyes and finishes used on the fibres are not toxic.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooling blankets are designed to prevent hot sleeping. They work by absorbing body heat and releasing it into the surrounding air. They also wick up excess moisture, which contributes to cooling.
Cooling blankets use special fabrics to wick away moisture and absorb heat. Some cooling blankets use NASA technology, which involves embedding the fabric with tiny microcapsules called thermocules that absorb body heat when the ambient temperature is high and release it when the temperature drops.
Cooling blankets can improve sleep quality by helping to keep you cool. They can also reduce night sweats and hot flashes, and ease pain and stress. They can also help reduce air conditioning bills.
Some alternatives to cooling blankets include cooling mattresses, mattress toppers, air conditioning, blackout curtains, wearing lightweight clothing, and using cooling towels.
