With the hot weather truly upon us, getting a good night’s sleep is more important than ever. Renowned bed linen expert and co-founder of Tielle Love Luxury, Robert Lancaster Gaye reveals the top tips for getting a good night’s sleep and being able to enjoy the hot weather and wake up fresh over the next few nights.
The higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet. Most luxury hotels use a natural filled 10.5 tog duvet to get the right weight, look and feel for their hotel, but for hot summer nights, a good quality 4.5 tog down or luxury microfibre quilt is ideal. Get rid of blankets on the bed and store them in breathable cotton storage bags or rolled up in cotton sheets. Sweaty plastic or non-breathable bags can cause mildew to form.
Cotton may have a natural beauty and luxe factor 5* hotels love but it’s also one of the most breathable fabrics, cleverly wicking moisture away from the skin. Helping to keep the body cool on warm days yet warm on cool days, some sleeping beauties prefer the feel of cotton percale in summer as it’s cool and crisp on the skin.
Dust mites favour warmer temperatures, so wash your linen more frequently than you might at cooler times of the year. Wash all bedding not encased in barrier covers weekly at a dust mite squashing 60 degrees Celsius, and air dry when possible to reduce static cling. Although energy-saving, washing at a lower temperature won’t kill off dust mites and germs and could leave you sneezing all night long.
An ambient room temperature is important for switching on the body’s sleep mechanism and soothing you into a slumber-like state. Aim for a temperature around 18-21 degrees Celsius and use a thermometer or app that monitors your room’s heat. If your room’s a tad toasty and it’s safe to open a window, let the cool summer night air gently circulate your body.
Robert Lancaster Gaye is the co-founder of Tradelinens which supplies independent and group luxury lifestyle hotels and interior designers with the highest quality bed, bath and table linens.