Cooling pillow cases: pick the fabric and weave, not the label
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- Cotton percale pillowcases. Best for: Most hot sleepers who want crisp, easy-care cases. See options on Amazon
- Tencel lyocell pillowcases. Best for: Sweaty sleepers who want a smooth, soft feel. See options on Amazon
- Linen pillowcases. Best for: People who like a textured, airy fabric. See options on Amazon
- Mulberry silk pillowcase. Best for: People who want a cool, smooth surface and are fine with delicate care. See options on Amazon
- Bamboo viscose pillowcases. Best for: Warm sleepers who want a light, soft case. See options on Amazon
Weave first: percale vs sateen
The Sleep Foundation says percale is a one-over, one-under weave with more airflow, so it runs cooler and feels crisp with a matte look. Sateen uses a three-over, one-under or four-over, one-under pattern that feels smoother and softer. In its cooling sheets guide it says sateen tends to feel heavier and trap more heat, so it generally recommends percale for cooling.
It also says material and weave matter more than thread count for cooling. A high thread count does not make a pillowcase cooler.
Fabrics compared
| Fabric | Cooling traits | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton percale | Breathable; the Sleep Foundation calls Egyptian cotton durable and breathable | Can wrinkle |
| Linen | Known for breathability | Stiffer at first, softens over time, may need ironing |
| Tencel (lyocell) | Breathable and moisture-wicking, soft like silk | Semi-synthetic, made from wood pulp |
| Bamboo viscose | Light, breathable | Eco claims depend on how it is processed |
| Silk | Cool to the touch; the Sleep Foundation says it retains very little heat | Needs more delicate, time-intensive care |
| Polyester or microfiber | Easy care | Less breathable; the Sleep Foundation lists microfiber among fabrics for people who sleep cold |
The fabric notes come from the Sleep Foundation's pillowcase and cooling sheet guides. A sleep psychologist quoted there says synthetic fibers tend to be less breathable and trap more heat at night.
Silk: cool feel, mixed claims
The Sleep Foundation says silk feels cool to the touch, has natural temperature-regulating properties, and wicks moisture away without absorbing much of it. It is gentler on hair than cotton or linen. But it also says the skin claims for silk have not been proven by rigorous clinical studies, and silk is not necessarily hypoallergenic. If you want silk mainly to stay cool, a lighter cotton or Tencel percale gives similar comfort with easier care. If you choose silk, its pillowcase guide describes 22 momme mulberry silk as midweight.
Fit, closure and care
- Match the size. The Sleep Foundation says pillowcases should match your pillow. A standard case on a queen pillow stretches tight and loses airflow.
- Pick a closure that stays put. An envelope flap tucks over the pillow's end and keeps the insert from slipping out; zippers also hold shape.
- Wash about once a week. The Sleep Foundation suggests weekly washing to limit oils, sweat, dust and bacteria.
- Care by fabric. The Sleep Foundation says cotton and polyester have the simplest care, while silk needs the most delicate handling.
- Keep a spare. If you sweat at night, flipping to a dry case helps. See pillows for night sweats.
Do not expect a pillowcase to do it all
Signs your pillowcase is part of the problem: the side touching your face feels damp or clammy, you keep flipping the pillow to find a cool spot, or the fabric feels slick and plasticky. Signs it is not: your whole body is hot, or the pillow feels warm even with the case off.
A pillowcase is a thin layer. If the pillow underneath is dense memory foam, heat will still build up. And the room matters most: the Sleep Foundation suggests a bedroom around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. For the pillow itself, see cool pillows.
What to look for when you buy
Cotton percale pillowcases
Best for: Most hot sleepers who want crisp, easy-care cases
The Sleep Foundation says percale's one-over, one-under weave allows more airflow and runs cooler than sateen.
Watch out: Percale can wrinkle and feels crisp rather than silky.
See options on AmazonTencel lyocell pillowcases
Best for: Sweaty sleepers who want a smooth, soft feel
The Sleep Foundation describes Tencel as breathable, moisture-wicking and soft like silk.
Watch out: Follow the care label; some need gentle cycles.
See options on AmazonLinen pillowcases
Best for: People who like a textured, airy fabric
The Sleep Foundation says linen is known for breathability.
Watch out: Stiff at first and wrinkles easily.
See options on AmazonMulberry silk pillowcase
Best for: People who want a cool, smooth surface and are fine with delicate care
The Sleep Foundation says silk feels cool to the touch and retains very little heat, and that it is gentler on hair than cotton.
Watch out: Skin benefits are not proven, and silk needs more delicate care than cotton. Check the care label before you buy.
See options on AmazonBamboo viscose pillowcases
Best for: Warm sleepers who want a light, soft case
The Sleep Foundation describes bamboo as lightweight and breathable.
Watch out: Eco claims vary with how the fabric is made.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What pillowcase material is the coolest?
- Breathable natural or semi-synthetic fibers in a percale weave: cotton, linen, Tencel or bamboo. Silk also feels cool to the touch.
- Is satin or silk cooler?
- Silk is a natural fiber that the Sleep Foundation says retains very little heat. Satin describes a weave, not a fiber, so it depends on what it is made from; the Sleep Foundation notes synthetic fibers tend to trap more heat.
- Is percale or sateen cooler?
- Percale. The Sleep Foundation says sateen tends to feel heavier and trap more heat.
- Does thread count matter for a cooling pillowcase?
- Not much. The Sleep Foundation says material and weave matter more than thread count for cooling.
- How often should I wash my pillowcase?
- About once a week, the Sleep Foundation suggests, and more often if you sweat at night.
Sources
- Best Pillowcases: From Silk to Sateen (www.sleepfoundation.org/best-sheets/best-pillowcases), Sleep Foundation
- Best Cooling Sheets (www.sleepfoundation.org/best-sheets/best-cooling-sheets), Sleep Foundation
- Benefits of a Silk Pillowcase (www.sleepfoundation.org/best-bedding/silk-pillowcase-benefits), Sleep Foundation
- The Best Temperature for Sleep (www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/best-temperature-for-sleep), Sleep Foundation
- Night sweats (nhs.uk), NHS