can a mattress pad make you sweat
Kristina Davis

Can a mattress pad make you sweat? Does the addition of this material make you feel hotter every minute you’re in contact with it?

It’s something you might want to know, considering the benefits mattress pads have.

So, I wrote this guide to help you uncover the truth behind it. I researched and found out the bizarre truth behind it.

Yes, certain mattress pads can make you sweat even if the room temperature is low. On the contrary, high-quality mattress protectors can make you feel normal; what you feel will depend on the fabric or material the mattress pad is made of.

READ NEXT:  How to Remove Old Blood Stains From Mattress With Vinegar?

Are Mattress Pads Designed to Heat You Up?

mattress pad designed for heat

Mattress pads are added components for your bed that protects the main mattress from moisture, bacteria, and dust mites.

It’s like the first line of defense of your mattress from things that could endanger its condition.

It’s not really designed to do anything with the temperature, and instead, its purpose is to add support.

Before we dive deep into it, let me first discuss the different fabrics and materials you can choose from for your mattress pad.

What Are the Different Fabrics For Mattress Pads?

the different fabric

Considering the material of your mattress pad is important as it can be the deciding factor on whether you’ll sweat or not.

So, before we answer the question, can a mattress protector make you sweat, you first need to understand the different materials or fabrics used for it.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is probably the most common material for mattress pads. They’re soft, reduce pressure, and it’s ultimately comfortable to lie down on.

READ NEXT:  Can You Bring An Air Mattress On A Plane? The Answer!

Good quality memory foam can even be better than the mattress proper you have!

Memory foam can be hot, especially if it’s thick and dense enough, as well as if the room temperature is not too low.

Polyester or Polyester Blends

a polyester

After memory foam, polyester or polyester blends come 2nd as the most common fabrics and materials used for mattress pads and mattress protectors.

A lot of people use it as an alternative to feather fabric, but I disagree. Polyester fabric has its own unique properties, and unlike feathers, it retains heat.

Cotton, as we know it, is not something that is designed to be hot.

However, it is an ultimately comfortable material because of just the right thickness and fluffiness – except for the fact that it can be hot, of course.

Latex

Mattress pads made of foam are bouncier, softer, but a lot firmer than memory foam. It’s very durable and long-lasting.

a latex

However, the exterior or outer layer of latex is rubber, which simply means that it can be hot, especially if the room temperature is no lower than 30 °C.

Latex mattress protectors are my second option when feathers aren’t available.

READ NEXT:  Can You Use An Air Mattress As A Regular Bed? An Honest Answer

They’re hot, but if you compare your level of comfortability, they’ll definitely exceed the list.

Feather

Out of all the materials listed, I consider feather as my favorite for the reason that feather mattress pads and mattress protectors are inexpensive, very easy to find, and do not retain body heat.

It’s counterintuitive to mattress pads because they offer very little support.

However, feather mattress protectors are perfect if you’re looking for comfortability and coolness.

Wool

Last, but most definitely not least of the common fabrics for mattress protectors is wool.

a wool

In case you didn’t know, wool fleece mattress protectors are considered by many as “high-quality” or even “luxurious.”

One of the things I loved about wool mattress protectors is the fact that it doesn’t get too hot.

READ NEXT:  How to Turn Old Mattress Into Couch? A Complete Guide!

When it’s cold, it can feel cool to the skin. If it’s hot, it can feel warm but not hot enough to make you sweat.

Unlike other materials, wool does not hold body heat, and therefore, isn’t strong enough to activate those sweat glands of yours.

Now that you know the different materials for mattress toppers, you should have an idea on what fabrics are hot enough to make you sweat.

I won’t bore you with information you don’t know – so, is it true that mattress pads make you feel hotter? Can it really make you sweat simply by lying down on it?

Can a Mattress Pad Make You Sweat?

mattress pad will make you sweat

The answer is yes and no.

Yes, because a cheap mattress topper would be made from low-quality material, and therefore, wouldn’t be designed for comfort.

No, because high-quality mattress pads are designed to increase comfort by the minute, and thus, will function at their best to maintain the right temperature your body has while you’re sleeping.

READ NEXT:  How to Get Urine Out of Memory Foam Mattress Effectively?

To make things simpler, the answer will depend on the type of mattress pad you have.

So, let me give you a brief rundown of the different materials that can trigger your sweat glands and can make you feel hot.

What Mattress Pad Materials Make You Sweat?

Naturally, mattress pads are thick materials that you put on top of your mattress.

The tendency of having a thick piece of material on top of thick material is heat – and yes, I have experienced this.

Try using a mattress without a mattress pad, it wouldn’t be that soft (especially if it’s new), but it’s cool and comfortable.

what mattress makes you sweat

On the other hand, mattress pads can contribute to the heat you feel because they’re thick and they’re covered with fabric.

The only 2 types of mattress protectors that do not get hot are feather and wool. These fleece-like materials are perfect for releasing heat and warmth, and at the same time, they’re soft.

READ NEXT:  How to Get Puke Smell Out of Mattress? Easy Steps!

The only drawback you have in using it is that it can cause allergies for some people.

Due to the fibers of feathers and wool shedding, the strands can irritate the nose, eyes, mouth, and even skin of some people, creating and causing allergies.

Room Temperature Matters

a room temperature

Another thing to put into consideration is the room temperature. Even if you don’t have a mattress pad, if you’re in a warm or hot room, you will sweat.

Add another thick layer of the mattress on top of the current cushion you have, and you get double the coolness or warmness.

Overheated Feeling

Did you know that some people feel overheated when they’re sleeping? Yes, and there are quite a few factors at play on why this happens.

Healthline says that the type of bedding isn’t the only culprit, overheating can also be caused by factors including:

  • The medication you’re taking
  • Current medical conditions
  • Sleep routine

And while this is the most complex variable to toggle, playing with the first two can help minimize sweating or overheating during your nighttime routine.

If you don’t want to sweat on your mattress pad, make sure that you’re using a cool material, such as feathers or wool, and double-check the room temperature. 

FAQs

questions about mattress pads

In case you still have mind-boggling questions about mattress pads and whether they make you sweat or not, here are a few other related questions about it.

READ NEXT:  Why Do Bed Sheets Feel Damp? How to Fix?

Does a Mattress Pad Affect Cooling?

Yes, even if you don’t feel like it, it does influence the cooling or temperature of the room.

When you place the mattress pad on top of your mattress, the air circulation is restricted, and therefore, heat emerges.

Avoid sweating during your sleep by using a cool mattress pad. I would suggest going for wool or feather ones.

Why is My Mattress Pad So Hot?

Your mattress pad or protector is hot because it has trapped and collected air.

This is the primary reason why you feel like you’re sweating bullets when you lie down on your mattress pad.

You can avoid this hot feeling on your mattress pad by using a cool material, lowering the room temperature, and using breathable bedding on it.

READ NEXT:  How to Break In a Tempurpedic Mattress? Seven Tips!

Do Waterproof Mattress Covers Make You Sweat?

It depends on the fabric or material for your mattress cover. Generally speaking, waterproof mattress covers have a barrier that can trap the air that has traveled through them inside.

Therefore, when you lie down on it, the trapped warm air will be released and will radiate to your body.

Final Thoughts

In case you’re asking, can a mattress pad make you sweat, the answer depends on certain factors, just like what I detailed above.

Before choosing your mattress pad, think about the environment you are in first.

The type of fabric is not the only factor important, you also need to consider the room temperature, as well as the bedding you are going to use for your mattress pad.