Quick Answer: Cooling mattress covers reduce heat buildup between you and your mattress. Most wick moisture and absorb body heat during the first 30-60 minutes of sleep. Once the material is saturated, the cooling levels off. They help you fall asleep, but they do not replace air conditioning.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1997. Every customer gets personal attention, honest advice, and the kind of follow-up service you just do not get from big box stores."
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Southern Ontario summers are notoriously humid. If you wake up sweating, tossing, and turning, your mattress might be the culprit. Foam mattresses, while comfortable, are notorious for trapping body heat. A cooling mattress cover is the most cost-effective upgrade to fix this problem without buying a brand new mattress.
At Mattress Miracle, we test every "cooling" product before we stock it. We know the difference between a marketing gimmick and a product that actually lowers your skin temperature.
Prefer to shop in person? Our Brantford store is on West Street.
The Science of Cooling
Your body temperature needs to drop by about 1-2 degrees Fahrenheit to initiate sleep. If your bedding traps heat, your body fights to cool down, disrupting your sleep cycle.
Phase Change Material (PCM)
This is the technology used in premium cooling covers. PCM contains microscopic beads that change from solid to liquid (at a molecular level) as they absorb heat.
How it helps: When your body gets hot, the PCM absorbs that thermal energy to melt, cooling you down. If you get cold later in the night, it releases that energy back. It acts as a thermal battery with a limited capacity. Once the PCM has absorbed its maximum heat load, the active cooling stops. In most rooms this happens within the first 30-60 minutes. The material resets as it releases heat back into the room overnight.
Materials to Look For
Not all "cooling" covers use PCM. Here are other effective materials we recommend:
- Polyethylene / "Ice" Fabric: These fibers are highly conductive (like metal, but soft). When you touch them, they instantly pull heat away from your skin, creating an immediate "ice-cold" sensation.
- Tencel / Bamboo: These are "passive" cooling materials. They don't feel icy, but they are incredibly breathable and moisture-wicking, preventing the "swampy" feeling of sweat buildup.
- Copper Infusion: Copper is a great heat conductor. Infusing it into fabric helps dissipate body heat to the edges of the bed.
The "Waterproof" Dilemma
Many waterproof protectors are basically plastic sheets that trap heat. If you need waterproofing and cooling, you must invest in a high-end protector with a breathable membrane. Cheap options will make you sweat, defeating the purpose.
Active vs. Passive Cooling
Passive Cooling (Most Common): Fabrics and PCMs that wick heat and moisture. They rely on thermodynamics. Affordable ($100-$300).
Active Cooling (High Tech): Systems that circulate water or air through a pad (like the Chilipad or BedJet). These can actively lower temperature but are expensive ($1000+) and noisy.
For most Brantford residents, a high-quality Passive Cooling Cover combined with bamboo sheets is sufficient to solve night sweats.
Care Instructions
Cooling fabrics are high-tech. You can ruin them with improper washing.
- Cold Water Only: Hot water can damage the structure of cooling fibers.
- Hang Dry or Low Heat: High heat in the dryer is the #1 killer of cooling covers. It can melt the PCM or distort the conductive fibers.
- No Fabric Softener: Softener coats the fibers in wax, blocking their ability to absorb heat and moisture.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Will a cooling cover make me too cold in winter?
Generally, no. Passive cooling covers don't generate cold; they just move heat away. In winter, under a warm duvet, your body heat will simply not be trapped against you, leading to a less stuffy sleep.
Does it work through sheets?
Yes, but your sheets matter. If you put heavy flannel or microfiber sheets over a cooling cover, you block the effect. Use thin, breathable Bamboo, Tencel, or Percale sheets for maximum cooling.
Can I wash it?
Yes, almost all our cooling protectors are machine washable. Just remember: Cold wash, low heat dry.
How long does the cooling effect last?
The cool-to-touch sensation lasts about 15-20 minutes and helps you fall asleep faster. PCM covers absorb heat for up to an hour before they neutralize. After that, moisture-wicking fabric keeps you dryer but not actively cooler. They help on warm nights, but in a hot room without air conditioning, a cooling cover only goes so far.
Test the "Ice" Feel in Brantford
You have to feel it to believe it. Visit Mattress Miracle at 441 1/2 West Street. Place your hand on our cooling protector samples and feel the temperature difference instantly.
What Cooling Covers Can and Cannot Do
A cooling cover manages heat, it does not create cold. The initial cool touch comes from conductive fabrics pulling heat away from your skin. Moisture-wicking keeps you dryer. PCM absorbs heat for a limited period before neutralizing. For genuinely hot summer nights, the best results come from pairing a cooling cover with breathable sheets and keeping your bedroom around 18°C. No cover is a substitute for air conditioning.
Sources
- Jacobson BH, Boolani A, Smith DB. Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. J Chiropr Med. 2009;8(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Peña A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available, wheelchair accessible. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.