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Summer blanket recommendations?
A problem I have every summer is either going to sleep cool and waking up in the middle of the night hot or going to sleep warm and waking up in the middle of the night cold. I used to have a similar problem in the winter, but I was able to solve that by getting a down comforter. Any recommendations for a good summer blanket for midwestern summers?
I highly recommend pure linen sheets. Linen is a very breathable fabric that regulates temperature well, especially when it isn't mixed with anything. It's a little pricey but definitely worth it.
I use linen sheets and a light cotton blanket. We end up kicking off the blanket on exceptionally hot nights, other nights it's nice.
What works for me is a somewhat loose/chunky knit cotton blanket. It's heavy but breathes really well so it doesn't get hot. I keep a regular duvet folded at the foot of the bed that I can stick my feet under if I wake up chilled
This is my preference as well. A loose-woven (or knitted or crochet) blanket, where there are noticeable gaps between the yarn — plus a flat sheet to spread out on top in case it gets a little chilly — is perfect.
I can't handle a comforter or duvet at all in the warmer months. But I'm a generally hot sleeper.
My grandma crocheted me a summer blanket a long time ago and it's fantastic - it's a thick yarn but has a very holey pattern - most of them are big enough to fit toes and fingers through but nothing else (without stretching). It has a nice weight to it (I need something on top of me otherwise I can't sleep) and it's both cooling and warming thanks to all the little openings. I don't sleep under it at night anymore but I do nap pretty hard with it in the summers.
I have no idea what it's called though - maybe a patterned afghan or a lace throw?
Afghan is what we always called those!
So my wife and I have had this issue as well. When we had a synthetic duvet, the issue was slowly getting warmer throughout the night, and only waking up once drenched in sweat. The solution was a wool duvet. We specifically ordered from Woolroom, and we use the same blanket year round. Being wool we find it helps keep us for the most part at the right temperature throughout the night
I'm thinking I might try out the wool duvet. What GSM do you think is good for the summer?
I do not remember what we ordered specifically, as my wife did most of the research for that
I find down to be good for both winter and summer. I use a light weight down for summer (opposed to a heavy weight for winter) with a light cotton duvet cover and cotton percale sheets. If it’s exceptionally warm I’ll just use the sheet and a fan. I find crisp cotton, like percale, to always be cool to the touch when I get under them in the summer and the fan keeps me cool if I begin to sweat.
+1 for year round duvet or light / heavy duvet combo
Then again I live up north now. When I was in HK, yes down for most seasons, and then AC on all night in summers. Without AC, a cotton sheet is usually enough.
If a duvet cover is too heavy or is made of plastic, it would be too hot and sweaty immediately. So maybe you don't need a different blanket just go without and wash / sun the duvet occasionally ? :P
I like crisp percale sheets and those thin waffle weave blankets. If it's an especially cold summer night I'll use 2 or even 3 blanket layers.
If it seems like a questionable night you can start with one blanket layer and then fold another blanket at the bottom of the bed so you can quickly upgrade your temperature if you wake up cold
I like to put thinner blankets into my duvet cover, without the duvet. This way, I can add as many blankets as I want, they all keep together, and my bed looks and feels the same.