Sleep well, even when temperatures sizzle
There are lots of reasons to love steaming-hot summer days. Until, of course, they turn into sweltering summer nights, when tossing and turning in the heat can increase heart and respiratory rates, cause heartburn, and heighten symptoms of menopause, acid reflux, and other health conditions.
One way to combat the ill effects of hot-weather sleeping is with linen bedding, says Vivian McCormick, who in 2017 — along with Anna Heyd and Oana Papuc — founded Flax Home (shopflaxhome.com). The Vancouver-based enterprise sells ethically sourced, sustainably manufactured linen home and lifestyle items made under fair labour conditions.
Linen is made from flax, in a process that McCormick says uses the whole plant and involves very little waste, adding that as a crop it uses less water than other plants that are used for textile. At end of life, which in my experience can be decades for linen, it biodegrades. Keep in mind, though, that linen items that come under any kind of stress — say fitted sheets or shirts — may loosen in shape over time, and will probably not last quite as long as a flat sheet.
On steamy nights, nothing delivers like linen, says McCormick. “There's a reason it's been such a go-to fabric for warm climates. Its light weight and breathability make it comfortable if you are a warm sleeper,” she explains, adding that linen wicks away moisture from the body, and can hold up to 20 per cent of its weight without feeling damp. It also has antimicrobial properties, dries quickly and has less far less static than other materials.
Items come in several attractive neutrals to choose from, and a new Homecoming Collection is executed in cheerful Marigold and restful Sage.
Unlike Grandma's stiff and scratchy table linen, stonewashed Flax products are soft from the first use. To keep them that way for a long time, McCormick recommends using a natural detergent without additives like fabric softener. Sheets can go in the dryer, but she suggests a low setting, and letting them rest a bit before sleeping on them.
An enthusiastic response to its foundational line led to an expansion into towels, robes, bags and kitchen accessories. An extended line for babies is in the works, and later this year, a Vancouver showroom is slated to open. In addition to allowing shoppers to see Flax products up close, the space will function as a community hub that will host collaborations with like-minded brands, often in pop-up scenarios.
Sleep companies are also using man-made materials, and proprietary tech, to combat overheated sleep.
Montreal-based Polysleep (polysleep.ca) has launched, for example, a wedge-shaped Orthopedic Pillow which it says — in addition to cooling — can help with sleep apnea, acid reflux, snoring, and discomfort during late-stage pregnancy. It uses a patented layer that dissipates heat, combined with antimicrobial and open-cell foam.
Adding a protective layer to the mattress is a good idea in any season. Polysleep's made-in-Montreal mattress protector is breathable, waterproof, and hypoallergenic. It provides a barrier against odours, allergens, and spills. The soft, slightly plush fabric also wicks away moisture, making for a more comfortable, hygienic sleep. Tip: Wash mattress protectors every two or three months to improve performance and extend their life.
Designed in Britain and made in Canada, the Simba 2500 (simbasleep.ca) uses foam infused with graphite flakes and up to 2,500 patented coils made of British steel to create airflow. Coils move both vertically and horizontally, contouring to the shape of the body to encourage deeper, longer sleep.
The focus on comfortable, sustainable bed and home wares is here to stay, predicts McCormick, who says the last 18 months has seen an incredible jump in the number of people “who want to outfit their home with something beautiful, make an investment in something to add to their daily comfort, and give themselves a feeling of luxury at an attainable price” she says. “I just don't think it's going away.”