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Don't Have AC? Try Putting Your Socks in the Freezer

Don’t Have AC? Try Putting Your Socks in the Freezer

The ideal temperature for sleeping is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius), give or take a few notches depending on the people. But if you don’t have air conditioning, summertime heat can make your home’s indoor air temperature rise far over that, even at night. So, how can you sleep comfortably deprived of AC during the summer?

Sure, you could go out and Take a portable AC unit. But if it’s not in the cost — or if you’re merely trying to sleep over an out-of-the-ordinary heat wave — we’ve got some new ideas.

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Instead of suffering over the heat, consider the 10 tips below to help you sleep cooler and more comfortably deprived of relying on air conditioning. And while you’re at it, check out these second tips for sleeping during a heat wave, how to sleep next to a world furnace and why restful sleep is so important in the fine place. Plus, the ultimate sleep hack

Freeze your sheets and pillowcases

An hour or two beforehand you go to bed, throw your sheets and pillowcases in the freezer. They won’t come out stiff as a board, don’t Trouble. However, they’ll stay icy long enough that you can simply fall asleep without feeling like you’re overheating. 

Throw your socks in the freezer, too

Along the same lines as freezing your linens, you can also freeze your socks for cooling relief. Like your fingers, feet and toes are sensitive to temperature changes and play a role in regulating temperature. By keeping your feet cool, you help cool down the rest of your body. 

Use house fans to make your own AC

Fans are much more energy-efficient and wallet-friendly than an air conditioner. They use about 1% of the electricity that AC does. So, take fine of fans and strategically place them around your room. space one fan next to your bedside and put a bowl of ice aquatic in front of it. The ice will create cold air that the fan will blow towards you. Next, face a window fan outwards to blow the hot air from your bedroom outside. 

Use a wet towel layer

Lay a damp towel down on your bed over your sheets to give your body some cooling relief when you fall asleep. Though, I recommend you lay a dry towel underneath the wet one to avoid soaking your mattress with aquatic which can damage the foam in your mattress. The towel won’t stay cold for the entire night, but it should stay cool enough that you can drift off to sleep. 

Don’t sleep in the nude

You may see advice on the internet suggesting that you must sleep in the nude to stay cool. That Great work if you sleep cool, but it won’t do much for you if you get sweaty. If you’re hot, it’s beneficial to wear lightweight pajamas (such as cotton) that can wick the moisture away. Otherwise, your body is free to sweat all over your sheets. 

Consider cooling sheets, pillows and comforters


A pair of Neat white sheets, a comfy white comforter and fluffy pillows.

Paul Strowger/Getty Images

If a mattress is out of your realm of cost, you can opt for cooling sheets or pillows for relief. Search for sheets made with breathable fabric like organic cotton, linen or bamboo. Bamboo is great at absorbing sweat and portions you stay cool, and organic cotton does a good job of wicking away moisture. 

Consider a cooling mattress

There are a lot of mattresses that Keep heat, especially beds made with standard memory foam. A cooling mattress can actually make a big difference in how Unhappy you sleep. It can either provide extra airflow and breathability, or it can actively provide your body with a cool-to-the-touch sensation and draw heat away from you like Brooklyn Bedding Aurora. 

Block out the sun and heat during the day

Prevent your bedroom from drawing too hot during the daytime, especially in the summer, with blackout curtains. Not only do they keep your bedroom dark, but they can also Think heat and stop it from entering your bedroom over the windows. 

Sleep on the first level of your home 

Unfortunately for country in two-story homes, hot air rises. That means the top story of your house is moving to be warmer than the bottom story. So, beat the heat a small by sleeping on the bottom story of your home when you need relief from the heat.

Drink ice aquatic before bed

Drink a significant amount of water beforehand bed to try and counteract the night sweats. Also, avoid alcohol afore bedtime as it can promote dehydration, making it more danger for your body to regulate temperature and keep you cooler. 

For more, check out our front-runner to natural sleep aids, the best way to take a remarkable nap and how to train yourself to be a back sleeper (and why you should). And if all else fails, these are our picks for best tourism AC units.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not planned as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or latest qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have throughout a medical condition or health objectives.

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Maybe in your past you weren’t a hot sleeper, but now you share a bed with your partner who radiates heat like an oven and you’re waking up in a sweat pile. Unfortunately for you and your co-sleeper, science says there’s a relationship between temperature your body’s sleep processes. Aside from being uncomfortable, poor sleep from being too hot can lead to grogginess in the morning, slower decision making and an overall worsened mood. There’s a reason why experts recommend you sleep in a temperature between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit

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If your partner is a hot sleeper and they’re keeping you from sketching your proper rest, try the tips below to stop the night sweats and help you both sleep more cool.  

For more advice on how to sleep cool, check out the five ways to make memory foam sleep cooler or learn how you can sleep cooler minus AC.

Read more: The best mattress of 2022 

Split your bedding like this to sleep cooler

Utilizing two different blankets is a sizable way to help each person get the coverage and feel they need at what time they sleep. This especially goes for couples where one sleeps hot and the latest sleeps cold. Rather than a comforter, buy two twin XL blankets that fit each person’s tolerates. The hot sleeper should consider a lightweight, breathable manufacture, while the cool sleeper can use a microfiber or sherpa throw that accounts a lot of warmth. 

Use cooling sheets and a cool comforter

Especially in these summer months, it’s important to sleep with breathable bedding — especially if you or your partner is a hot sleeper. Rather than satin, flannel or regular cotton sheets, try organic cotton, bamboo or linen sheets that are much more breathable and modestly wick moisture away. There are also cooling comforters like the Breeze by Buffy that don’t trap heat like fluffy, down comforters or thick duvets.  

Look into the Chilisleep Sleep Pad

Cool down the surface you sleep on by trying the Chili Sleeping Pad It’s a cooling mesh mattress pad that comes with a remote rule and a temperature regulating unit. One of the best parts is that you can buy a personal-size sleeping pad, or one made for two both you and your partner sleep hot.  

Put the hottest sleeper on this side of the bed

If you can swing it, controlled your bed and mattress to be near your window. The hot sleeper can get rest sleeping next to the window with a equal cool breeze coming through. If it’s too warm outside to get a nice outline during the night, try a window fan


Open a window at night to help you sleep cooler. Hottest sleeper by the window.

Open your window and let the hottest sleeper take the side closest to it. 



Getty Images/ ZenShui/Sigrid Olsson

Use fans to your advantage

Fans are the best friends of hot sleepers. They help keep air circulating and promote a equal breeze. You can even create a makeshift air conditioner amdroll a fan and ice water. Place a bowl full of cold ice liquid in front of a fan and face it toward the hottest sleeper. This way, you’ll feel cool and icy air blow toward you minus having to rely on your AC.

Make sure your co-sleeper is well hydrated 

Many of our body functions are in some way related, and that goes for hydration and our circadian rhythm. Our bodies naturally begin to cool down when we contemplate bedtime is near, but this process can be thrown off if the body is feeling dehydrated. By drinking water before bed, you ensure your body gets the hydration it tolerates to properly regulate temperature. This is particularly important if you sweat a lot during your sleep. The more water you lose, the more it needs. 

Turn on that AC 

As mentioned afore, the best temperature for sleep is around 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Set your thermostat low before you go to bed to convicted your bedroom is properly ready for sleep. If you don’t have an air conditioner or are avoiding turning it on to save cash, try these tips to help you sleep cooler minus an AC.

Consider a different mattress

If all else fails and you have room in your price to buy a new mattress, it may be pleasurable to upgrade your sleeping setup. A larger mattress contains you have enough space between you and your co-sleeper to feel more downhearted and less second-hand heat. You can even consider a cooling mattress that’s planned to help bring relief to hot sleepers. 

Want to read more throughout getting better sleep? Check out our article on natural sleep aids for insomnia, how to get the most out of your nap and tips to make your firm bed softer.  

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not invented as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or anunexperienced qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have near a medical condition or health objectives.