When the weather turns unusually warm, getting comfortable at night can be difficult. Even here in Wales, where we are hardly known for long stretches of tropical weather, the recent heat has made our bedrooms feel much warmer than usual.
With four children in the house, I am already used to sleep being interrupted from time to time. Add a hot pillow and an overly warm bedroom into the mix, and a restful night can feel almost impossible.
I recently tried the Avolare cooling pillowcases, which are designed for hot sleepers and anyone who enjoys the smooth feel of a silky pillowcase. After using and washing them, I have been really impressed by how cool they feel against the skin, particularly when you first get into bed.
They also came with an unexpected bonus: my hair looked noticeably smoother in the morning.
In this Avolare cooling pillowcases review, I am sharing how they feel, how well they wash and whether I think they are worth buying for warm summer nights.
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Table of Contents
What are Avolare cooling pillowcases?
The Avolare cooling pillowcases are soft, silky pillow covers made using the brand's Arc-Chill cooling fabric. The set contains two white pillowcases with zip closures and is designed to be machine washable. The product is marketed as being suitable for hot sleepers while also being gentle on the hair and skin.
Unlike a traditional cotton pillowcase, the material has a very smooth, slightly stretchy texture. It feels closer to a satin-style pillowcase, although it is specifically designed to feel cool when it comes into contact with your skin.
The pillowcases are available in different sizes and colours, depending on the Amazon listing you choose. I would recommend checking the measurements carefully before ordering, particularly if you use larger or unusually shaped pillows.
My first impressions
The first thing I noticed when I took the pillowcases out of the packaging was how smooth they felt. The fabric has a lightweight, silky finish and feels pleasant rather than slippery or plasticky.
They were easy to put onto the pillows, and I liked the zip fastening. It helps to keep the pillow securely inside the case rather than allowing it to gradually work its way out during the night.
Once the pillowcases were on the bed, they looked simple and neat. The white colour works well with almost any bedding, although other colours may be a little more practical if you regularly use hair oils, overnight skincare products or fake tan.
Do the Avolare pillowcases actually feel cool?
Yes, they genuinely do feel cool to the touch.
This was the most noticeable feature for me, especially during the spell of hot weather we have been having. When I first put my head down, the surface felt refreshingly cool against my face and neck.
It is a lovely sensation when the bedroom feels stuffy and you are struggling to settle down. I also found that turning the pillow over or moving my head to a different section of the pillowcase gave me another cooler area to lie against.
It is important to be realistic about what a cooling pillowcase can do. It will not reduce the temperature of your bedroom or replace a fan during extremely hot weather. However, it can make the area directly around your face and head feel much more comfortable.
For me, that made it easier to relax at bedtime instead of constantly trying to find a cool section of an ordinary cotton pillow.
Are they comfortable to sleep on?
I found the pillowcases very comfortable.
The fabric feels soft and smooth against the skin, without the slightly rough texture that some cotton bedding can develop after repeated washing. It is also lightweight, so it does not feel heavy or insulating around your face.
The smooth surface may feel a little different if you have only ever slept on crisp cotton pillowcases. It took me a night to get used to the silkier texture, but after that I really enjoyed it.
They would be particularly useful for:
- People who become hot during the night
- Anyone experiencing night sweats
- Warm summer bedrooms
- People who dislike the feel of a hot cotton pillow
- Anyone who enjoys satin or silk-style bedding
- People hoping to reduce friction against their hair
An unexpected benefit for my hair
One of my favourite things about these pillowcases is how smooth my hair looks in the morning.
Traditional cotton pillowcases can create friction as you move around in your sleep. This can leave hair looking tangled, frizzy or flattened when you wake up.
Because the Avolare fabric has such a silky surface, my hair seems to glide across it more easily. I noticed that it looked smoother and needed less brushing and restyling the following morning.
I would not claim that a pillowcase can completely transform damaged or frizzy hair, but it is a useful addition to a gentle haircare routine. It may be especially helpful for people with:
- Long hair
- Curly or wavy hair
- Hair extensions
- Hair that tangles easily
- Dry or frizz-prone hair
- A hairstyle they want to preserve overnight
As someone with busy mornings, anything that makes my hair a little easier to manage is welcome. The hair-smoothing effect was not the main reason I tried the pillowcases, but it has become one of the main reasons I continue to use them.
How well do they wash?
I have washed the pillowcases and have been really pleased with how well they came out.
The product is machine washable, which makes it much easier to care for than genuine silk. Mine retained their smooth texture after washing and did not come out looking misshapen or excessively creased.
I would still treat them as a more delicate item of bedding. Washing them on a gentle, cool cycle and avoiding harsh products should help to protect the fabric.
I would suggest:
- Fastening the zips before washing.
- Washing them with similar light colours.
- Using a cool or gentle washing cycle.
- Avoiding bleach.
- Allowing them to air dry where possible.
- Keeping them away from rough zips, hooks or Velcro that might catch the fabric.
They dry relatively quickly because the material is lightweight. This is particularly useful during warm weather when you may want to wash bedding more frequently.
What I liked about the Avolare cooling pillowcases
The biggest advantage is the immediate cooling sensation. They feel genuinely refreshing when you place your head on the pillow, rather than simply feeling thin or lightweight.
I also liked:
- The soft and silky texture
- The secure zip fastening
- The simple appearance
- The set of two pillowcases
- How well they washed
- How quickly they dried
- The smoother appearance of my hair
- The fact that they are easier to care for than real silk
They provide a nice combination of practicality and comfort. They feel like a small luxury, but they can still be placed in the washing machine with the rest of your bedding.
Is there anything I did not like?
There were no major negatives for me, but there are a few things worth considering before buying.
The cooling sensation is most noticeable when you first touch the fabric or move to a different part of the pillow. The pillowcase cannot remain icy cold throughout the night because it naturally absorbs some warmth from your skin.
The silky texture may also take a little getting used to if you prefer crisp, textured cotton bedding.
White pillowcases can show marks from make-up, skincare, hair products and fake tan more easily than darker colours. Thankfully, mine have washed well, but choosing another colour could be more practical for some households.
Finally, always check the listed dimensions before ordering. Pillow sizes can vary, and the meaning of "standard" is not always identical between UK and international bedding.
Avolare cooling pillowcases: pros and cons
Pros
- Feel noticeably cool on contact
- Refreshing during warm weather
- Soft and comfortable against the skin
- Help reduce friction against the hair
- May leave hair looking smoother in the morning
- Machine washable
- Quick to dry
- Secure zip fastening
- Supplied as a set of two
Cons
- They do not actively cool the whole bedroom
- The coolest sensation is strongest on initial contact
- The silky texture will not suit everyone
- White fabric may show product marks
- Measurements should be checked carefully
Who would I recommend them to?
I would recommend the Avolare cooling pillowcases to anyone who finds ordinary pillows uncomfortable during hot weather.
They could be especially useful for hot sleepers, people experiencing hormonal night sweats or anyone whose bedroom becomes warm and stuffy during the summer.
They are also a good option if you have considered buying a silk pillowcase for your hair but want something that is easier to wash and maintain.
I think teenagers may like them too, particularly if they spend time styling their hair or regularly wake up with frizz and tangles. In a busy family home, being able to put the pillowcases in the washing machine is a definite advantage over more delicate bedding.
Are Avolare cooling pillowcases worth buying?
Based on my experience, I think they are worth considering.
They feel very cool and refreshing when you first lie down, which has been lovely during the hot weather we have experienced recently. They wash well, dry quickly and continue to feel soft and smooth after washing.
The effect on my hair was an unexpected bonus. I have noticed less friction and my hair looks smoother when I wake up, making it a little easier to manage in the morning.
These pillowcases are not going to cool an entire room, and they are not a replacement for proper ventilation or a fan during a heatwave. What they do provide is a cooler, smoother and more comfortable surface to sleep on.
For such a simple bedroom change, they have made warm nights noticeably more comfortable.
Frequently asked questions
Do cooling pillowcases really work?
Cooling pillowcases can feel noticeably cooler against your skin than an ordinary cotton pillowcase. The sensation is usually strongest when you first lie down or move to a fresh section of the pillow.
They will not lower your room temperature, but they can make your pillow feel more comfortable during warm weather.
Are Avolare cooling pillowcases machine washable?
Yes, the Avolare pillowcases are advertised as machine washable. I washed mine on a gentle cycle, and they retained their shape and smooth texture well.
Do they stay cool all night?
They do not stay icy cold continuously. As with any fabric, the area directly beneath your head gradually becomes warmer.
However, the material feels cooler than my usual pillowcases, and turning the pillow or moving to a different area restores that refreshing sensation.
Are cooling pillowcases good for your hair?
A smooth pillowcase can reduce the amount of friction placed on your hair while you sleep. In my experience, my hair looked smoother and less tangled in the morning.
Results will vary depending on your hair type, but they may be helpful for people with long, curly, dry or frizz-prone hair.
Are they made from real silk?
No. They have a smooth, silk-like feel but are made from a machine-washable cooling fabric rather than traditional mulberry silk. The precise material composition can vary between versions, so check the current Amazon listing before ordering.
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Final verdict
The Avolare cooling pillowcases have been a welcome addition to our summer bedding.
They are cool to the touch, comfortable to sleep on and refreshingly smooth against the skin. They have also washed much better than I expected, without losing the silky feel that makes them so pleasant to use.
The added benefit of helping my hair look smoother in the morning makes them even more useful. I originally thought of them purely as warm-weather bedding, but I can see myself using them throughout the year.
For hot sleepers or anyone looking for a simple way to make bedtime more comfortable, I think they are a clever and practical buy.
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