Why am I always too hot (or too cold) in bed? Your bedding might be to blame
28th May 2025
If you often wake up drenched in sweat or shivering despite a mountain of blankets, you’re not alone. And the answer might not be your thermostat – it could be your bedding.
In this guide, we’ll unpack the common culprits of nighttime discomfort and how to fix them with smarter sheet choices, including breathable, moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating fabrics designed specifically for the Australian climate.
Sleep Better with Breathable, Natural Bedding
Many cheap and cheerful sheet sets are made with synthetic blends that don’t breathe. These fabrics trap heat and moisture close to your body, making you feel hotter, especially if you’re a naturally warm sleeper or prone to night sweats.
The fix: Start by checking the fibre content on your sheets’ label. Avoid synthetic materials like 100% polyester or microfibre, which tend to trap heat and sweat. Instead, look for natural fibres: bamboo, cotton or linen — all of which offer better airflow and moisture-wicking properties to help regulate body temperature.
Try: Canningvale’s Alessia Bamboo Cotton Sheets Set – crafted from a bamboo and cotton blend, a cult favourite for hot sleepers thanks to its ultra-breathable and silky-soft weave.
Or explore the Vintage Softwash Sheet Set, made from washed cotton for a relaxed, lightweight feel that’s cool, breathable and beautifully lived-in from the first sleep.
Our picks
Layers That Keep You Cosy Without Overheating
When the nights get chilly, it’s tempting to pile on thick quilts, fleece sheets, and heavy blankets. No one wants to climb into an icebox at bedtime, right? But here’s the catch: once you fall asleep, your body temperature naturally rises, and all those heavy layers can trap too much heat. That leads to overheating, tossing and turning, and waking up in a sweat.
The fix: Instead of building a bedding fortress, opt for smart, breathable insulation. Choose lightweight, temperature-regulating cotton that keeps you cosy without causing a midnight meltdown.
Try: Canningvale’s Vintage Softwash sheets – made from breathable, lightweight cotton that naturally regulates your temperature. They’re soft from night one and perfect for year-round comfort, especially if you tend to overheat at night. Think cosy without the cling.
Our picks
Smart Layers, Snug Nights: A Cold Sleeper’s Best Friend
If you’re traditionally a cold sleeper, layering can be your friend – but it needs to be done with breathable, natural fabrics that warm you up without making you clammy. The mistake? Using too few layers or relying on heavy, synthetic bedding. That combo can leave you weirdly sweaty and still cold. Not ideal.
Fix it: Build your bed in breathable layers, starting with a high-quality base like Egyptian cotton sheets. They’re soft, breathable, and insulate without trapping heat. Then add a well-balanced quilt and finish with a luxe throw or coverlet you can adjust as needed. Think warmth with airflow.
Try: For those especially chilly nights, swap in Canningvale’s CoziCotton flannelette sheets – crafted from pure cotton and triple-brushed for softness. They feel warm from the moment you slip into bed, helping you stay toasty without piling on extra layers. Add a Veluto Coverlet as an optional extra – either under or over your quilt – for a touch of glam (as well as added insulation!).
Our picks
Refresh Your Sleep with a Bedding Upgrade
If your sheets have been hanging around longer than that stack of unread books by your bed, it might be time for an upgrade. Over time, fibres naturally break down – but that’s not the only issue. Built-up detergent, body oils, and sweat can all reduce your bedding’s breathability and comfort, even if it still looks fine.
The fix: Refresh your entire bedding line-up with products tailored to your current sleep style and lifestyle needs. Consider how your body temperature changes throughout the night, and choose sheet sets and layers that support that, especially in a climate as changeable as Australia’s.
Try: Build your dream bed using our Sheet Buying Guide. Every Canningvale product is thoughtfully designed for comfort, airflow and seasonal adaptability — so you can sleep better, no matter what the weather’s doing outside.
Our picks
Breathable Pyjamas That Work With Your Body, Not Against It
Even if you’ve perfected your bedding setup, your sleepwear could be sabotaging your comfort. Many pyjamas – especially those made from synthetic fabrics like polyester – trap heat and moisture against your skin, leaving you feeling clammy or restless through the night. And let’s face it: waking up sweaty and tangled in your jammies is no one’s idea of restful sleep.
The fix: Choose lightweight, breathable sleepwear made from natural fibres. Look for fabrics like bamboo or bamboo cotton, which are not only moisture-wicking and gentle on sensitive skin, but also adapt beautifully to your body temperature, keeping you cool when it’s hot, and just warm enough when it’s not.
Try: Canningvale’s Alessia Bamboo Cotton Pyjama Set – with its buttery-soft fabric and relaxed fit, it’s the ultimate blend of comfort, breathability, and understated luxury. You’ll not only sleep better, but you’ll look better doing it.
Our Picks
Whether you’re a hot sleeper plagued by night sweats or someone who wakes up chilly even under layers, your sleep struggles may be solved by reassessing your bedding. Upgrading to moisture-wicking, breathable, and luxury bed linen options like the ones Canningvale is known for could be the temperature reset your sleep has been waiting for.