Sleeping in a heatwave with cooling bamboo bedding from Laud

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If you’re reading this in Europe, chances are you’ve been dealing with heatwave after heatwave over the last couple of months. As I write, it’s hovering in the mid-thirties here in Bristol, and it’s barely dropping beneath 25C indoors at night. Chronic pain, a noisy cat and the perimenopause mean I struggle to sleep well at the best of times, but throw in soaring temperatures and it gets even trickier. So, when UK-based luxury bedding specialists Laud got in touch to ask if I’d like to try out the cooling Luff Sleep bamboo-silk range, I jumped at the chance.  

The link between body temperature and sleep

Before I get on to my review of the bedding, let’s start with some science. Our core body temperature naturally drops by about one degree as we start to drift off, signalling to our brains that it’s time to sleep. It then continues to fall over the next few hours, generally reaching its lowest point at around 3-4am, before starting to rise again in the two hours before we wake. If our body temperature fails to drop or increases earlier than it should then this pattern is disrupted, making it difficult to fall asleep in the first place or causing us to wake in the small hours. Even if we think we’ve slept all night, it can prevent us from reaching the deep sleep that we need for mental and physical recovery, meaning we don’t feel rested or refreshed the next morning.  

Silk woven from bamboo can aid our sleep cycle as the hollow fibres mean it’s naturally thermoregulating and breathable. It’s also hypoallergenic and very soft, with none of the spurs or barbs that often characterise other natural fabrics, making it a great choice for those with eczema and sensitive skin. What’s more, bamboo is sustainable as it grows quickly without the need for fertilisers or pesticides, and it absorbs significant amounts of carbon dioxide as it does. 

The Luff Sleep bamboo bedding range

Luff Sleep’s products are woven from 100% organic, Oeko-Tex bamboo harvested from FSC-certified plantations. The full range is available via Laud and encompasses bed linen in several different colours, as well as bamboo pillows, mattress toppers and even mattresses. I opted for a duvet cover, pillowcases and a deep fitted sheet in classic white, and I was instantly impressed with the way they look.

I had worried bamboo bedding would be very shiny – not my style at all – but it really isn’t. It has a subtle sheen, but I’m assured this will lessen with each wash and in the meantime it’s not exactly overwhelming. As for practicalities, the pillowcases, duvet cover and sheet can all be machine-washed at 30C, and the fitted sheet comes with handy ‘long side’ and ‘short side’ labels – a seemingly small thing that cuts out a lot of faff when making the bed! 

Does bamboo bedding really make a difference?

The current heatwave means I’ve been able to test the cooling credentials of the Luff Sleep bedding thoroughly, and it really has helped. We had been resorting to leaving our fan on full-blast in the bedroom overnight, but since it arrived we’ve been able to turn it down to its minimum setting, enjoying the gentle hint of a breeze without relying on it to keep us cool. In fact I’ve even found myself partially snuggling under the duvet rather than flinging it off, creating that cosy, cocooning feel that helps me relax and nod off. And on weekend mornings I’ve managed to enjoy my normal routine of lingering in bed with a book and a coffee (albeit an iced one!).

I can’t pretend I haven’t still woken up every now and then (as I mentioned earlier, there are other factors at play), but when I have I’ve been noticeably cooler and more comfortable. My husband has reported the same, and we’ve both remarked on the lack of that horrible damp stickiness that often comes with hot summer nights. This is again due to the structure of the bamboo fibres, which not only absorb moisture but wick it away from the body, channelling it to the surface of the fabric where it can evaporate. There are added benefits to this, too: less moisture accumulation means less build-up of bacteria or dust mites, cutting the risk of skin irritation and breakouts, and a particular plus for asthmatics such as me. 

I also love how soft the bamboo silk is. The team at Laud tell me its smooth texture can reduce sleep lines, as well as the hair tangles, frizziness and breakages that the friction from other fabrics can cause. I’ll be intrigued to see if it makes any long-term difference in this regard, but I’ve already noticed that I’m not waking up with red crease marks etched down the side of my face thanks to a wrinkled pillowcase! 

My verdict

So am I a convert to Luff Sleep’s bamboo bedding? Yes, I am. It’s a great addition to our linen cupboard, and it’s made a tangible difference in these record-breaking temperatures. I’m told it can also keep you warm on winter nights, and although cold weather seems a long way away at the moment, I’m looking forward to putting that to the test later in the year. 

Luff Sleep bamboo-silk bedding starts at £45 for a pair of pillowcases, and you can see the full range here. Laud also has a wide selection of linen and cotton designs from various brands. 

All photography by Abi Dare