A lot of hot air is talked by some mattress manufacturers and salespeople pitching the benefits of 'cooling' layers, either in or on top of mattresses. There is a very simple way to test the effectiveness of these so called 'miracle layers'.
To be most effective, this 'cooling layer' should sit in the top layer of your bed. To test it out, try this:
1. Touch the surface. Does it feel cool to touch? Yes! So far, so good!
2. Now… sit on it for 30 seconds.
3. Then, stand up and place your hand on it again. It will feel warm.
This 'cooling layer' very quickly absorbs your body heat and becomes totally ineffective.
So, the only way you benefit from its “cool touch” feel is to move to a different position every 30 seconds or so throughout the night.
Its a gimmick!
Now imagine if the magic layer were embedded somewhere below the surface. It would be even less effective!
If you sleep hot, there are real ways to help.
Only use pure cotton, tencel or linen sheets and duvet covers, and never buy them with a thread count of more than 600. The higher the thread count, the less they will breath - thread count is not a way to gauge quality!
The perfect temperature for your sleeping comfort is around 18 degrees celsius.
If a mattress protector has a waterproof membrane on the underside, it will be warmer to sleep on than a pure cotton one. Yes, it will be waterproof, but at a price - less air movement. It's a choice you have to make, and of course it will somewhat compromise the benefits of the mattress it is protecting.
If the room is warm, try using a fan on a low setting. This can help immensely. Airflow is great for sleeping comfort.
If you are looking for a product that will insulate you better than any “cooling” gimmick… you can’t go past wool.
Wool is naturally the greatest insulator known. It is perfect to use either as an under blanket or as a comfort layer in your mattress. As an example of the effectiveness of wool in extreme situations, think of an old car with vinyl seats on a scorching day in a desert. The best way to keep cool is to use a woolen seat cover. In that same desert in the middle of the coldest night, you'd cover yourself with a woolen blanket.
Finally, with regard to wool, don't buy thin strands of wool that has been mixed with Dacron. If a mattress features a wool layer, ask to see a sample.
