I Live in the Desert and This One Bedding Swap Keeps Me From Overheating Every Summer

People who live in Arizona like to brag—or perhaps whine a bit—about how hot it gets in our desert valley city. Even our nights are warm, with lows often hovering in the 90s, but we do what we can to keep cool. That usually means lots of pool time, cold showers, and getting strategic about things like fans, clothing, and even bedding. 

Last summer on a whim, I decided to switch our bedding to 100% linen, a choice that felt kind of weird (because isn’t linen just for clothing?) but ended up being absolutely genius. My primary objective was to keep cooler at night for better sleep, and I personally found the difference dramatic and immediate. 

4 Things I Love About My Linen Bedding

Switching to linen bed sheets has made me actively excited about going to bed. I’ve even managed to convince a few friends to make the transition purely from talking about the joy I’ve experienced with this little linen shakeup. Here’s why I recommend swapping in linen bedding, plus some expert intel from dermatologists to drive the point home. 

I Stay Cooler Through the Night

With traditional bedding—even fancy silk or satin—I’ve found there’s a natural heat bubble that occurs the second I tuck into bed. That trapped heat just doesn’t exist with high-quality linen. The material truly does feel more breathable, and I’ve noticed a shift away from feeling overheated, sweaty, or generally uncomfortable through the night. If there is any sweating, it seems to get absorbed by the linen, rather than sweat pooling the way it does on certain fabrics.

“For those who are living in hot, dry, arid climates—or who are hot sleepers—linen or hemp bedding is often preferred over cotton and silk or satin due to the fact that it has superior breathability and moisture-wicking properties,” says Dr. Ava Shamban, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist. “Its temperature-regulating support leads to less interrupted sleep.”

It’s Super Soft and Cozy

I held out on buying linen bedding for a long time because I thought the material would feel rough and scratchy on my skin, and I was also worried about intense wrinkling. Not all linen is the same, but my bedding is ridiculously soft and cozy; and while there is some wrinkling, it lends a more organic feel versus an annoying sensory experience. The thing about linen is that it gets softer over time as you use and wash it, so the experience gets better and better. 

It’s Better for My Skin

I didn’t realize this from the get-go (my priority was cooling off), but linen bedding actually has a ton of properties that make it a superior choice for skin health. “Its natural flax fibers and antimicrobial properties make it a good choice for acne-prone skin,” explains Dr. Maryam Safaee, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist. “Additionally, linen’s smooth texture reduces friction against the skin, potentially minimizing sleep-induced wrinkles.” 

High-quality linen is also an organic textile, usually free from harsh dyes or coatings that can introduce irritants to your skin. Considering how much time I spend lying in bed, surrounding myself with a skin-healthy fabric just feels good. (By the way, Dr. Safaee says she often recommends linen for her patients who deal with sensitive skin issues.)

It’s Surprisingly Easy to Care for

An unexpected perk of switching to linen bedding is how low-maintenance this fabric is, even though it’s so high quality. While I had to really baby my silk and satin sheets with delicate cycles and careful drying, linen is something I can just toss in the wash without a second thought. I also opted for white linen, which means that I can keep it bright with some oxygen bleach every few washes. Thankfully, linen bedding doesn’t ever need to be ironed, and its slightly relaxed and crumpled look adds to its charm. 

All in all, I’m glad I made this switch to linen bedding, and I don’t see myself going back to satin or silk sheets. It feels like a high-quality, luxurious switch that’s still low maintenance—and is actually good for my overall health.