What to Look for in the Best Summer Quilt

Summer is knocking and it’s time to set aside that heavy comforter. Instead, you could opt for a summer quilt. Lightweight, more breathable, and easier to clean, this bedding item is perfect for those who love to stay under the covers even as temperatures rise. To find the best summer quilt on the market, I’ve put together a list of tips and products to help put you on the right track.

Best Summer Quilts

Can You Use a Quilt in the Summer?

Quilts are lightweight duvets or comforters that are not that insulating and can be used during the summer. You can use a quilt in the summer as long as it has a few defining characteristics that make it suitable for warmer temperatures. 

You might want to read this: Comforter vs. Quilt: Which is Best?

What to Look for in a Summer Quilt 

• Durability

When you invest in new bedding items, they should be durable, regardless of their nature. Nobody wants to buy a new quilt every year, so make sure that the summer quilt you choose is made using quality products.

However, the durability of a fabric isn’t determined by the nature of the fibers alone. It’s also given by things like thread count, weave, and how extensive the quilt is being used. 

Cotton is a material that can hold up pretty well and can resist an extensive number of washings. Silk and wool are also durable but you need to follow specific care instructions. 

• Ease of Cleaning

Summer quilts are usually washed more often because you sweat more during summer nights. This is especially the case with textiles that have a high capacity for rapid absorption of moisture, as well as in the case when you use your quilt without a top sheet. 

Because of this, you will need to wash your summer quilt on a rather regular basis, which is a good thing because it will make cleaning much easier. 

Cotton and polyester, for example, may typically be washed in a washing machine, although wool, silk, and down typically demand a more cautious hand when it comes to cleaning.

• Weave

The weaving of a quilt is something that you will notice based on how the quilt looks as well as how well it retains heat. Both of these aspects are affected by the weave. The tighter the weave of a quilt, the greater the likelihood that it will be warm and that it will trap heat inside.

In addition to that, you may come across some particular terms concerning the weave. 

One example of this would be the cotton weave known as percale, which alternates layers of vertical and horizontal strands in an equal proportion. This results in percale having a great deal of breathability but not quite as much softness as sateen, which is produced by a different type of cotton weave and results in a material that is smoother but slightly less breathable. 

The diagonally patterned weave known as twill has a more prominent texture and a potentially more abrasive feel. 

The waffle weave produces a pattern that is identical to its namesake, and fabrics that are woven using this technique typically have a more distinctive appearance in addition to being more breathable. 

Knit weaves typically leave larger holes in the fabric, which means the cloth is more breathable but also less effective at keeping the heat in.

• Breathability

The fabric of a summer quilt should be permeable to airflow to avoid suffocating the user with the heat generated by their bodies. This is typically accomplished by employing a little laxer weave in conjunction with employing a lower overall level of insulation and fill. 

Even more, a summer quilt can typically help absorb and/or wick away moisture, preventing you from feeling clammy even if you start to heat up and sweat during the night. This is because summer quilts are typically made of a lighter material.

• Weight

The weight of a summer quilt is typically less than what it would be during the winter months; this is accomplished by choosing lighter materials. When fall rolls around, it will be much simpler to put away a quilt that you used over the summer to make room for duvets and weighted blankets.

You might want to check this out: Best Quilt Covers

Best Material for Summer Quilts

When examining a quilt, it is only logical to begin by looking at the materials it is made up of. A summer quilt should not typically be made of something that is overly thick or heavy. 

Materials that are light and airy and often have a low to moderate quantity of fill are the ones that typically receive the most consumer pleasure. 

The quilt should have enough material to add some warmth and to give you the reassuring sensation of being wrapped up in a quilt. This will ensure that you have a pleasant experience. 

Cotton

Cotton is almost surely already well-known to you, and you probably already know that it is a popular choice for summer quilts because it is comfortable, has different weaves that make it more breathable and can absorb moisture when needed. 

You might be interested: The Best Cotton Quilt

Down

Due to its excellent insulating capabilities, down is most frequently utilized in the production of winter quilts. Customers, on the other hand, can take advantage of the feathers’ inherent lightness and coziness by purchasing a summer quilt made with a reduced number of down feathers.

Polyester

This man-made material is capable of being crafted to have the texture of down or one that is more akin to cotton. It is typically a less expensive choice, in addition to being one that is both lightweight and simple to clean.

Silk

This highly smooth cloth is light and very cool to the touch, which makes it an excellent material for a summer quilt due to its combination of these two characteristics. However, it falls on the more expensive side. 

Linen

This material, which is derived from the flax plant, has a more substantial feel but is exceptional at preventing heat buildup and ensuring that there is a sufficient amount of airflow all around the body. Although it is not as gentle as cotton, it can nonetheless provide a soothing effect when wrapped around the body.

Wool

Wool has excellent moisture-wicking properties and can be naturally breathable, but it also can provide warmth when it’s required. The cleaning process for wool may be more labor-intensive, but machine-washable wool may be put through its paces in the laundry.

Organic Materials

Certain quilts can be made with natural fibers, such as bamboo. These are typically less dense, which makes them lighter, and more breathable, making them a potentially pleasant alternative to the more conventional sleeping materials. 

Remember that not all naturally occurring substances can be classified as organic. Whether you favor natural or organic materials is dependent, not only on your preferences but also on your available funds and other considerations (like whether or not you have allergies). 

The Bottom Line

If summer evenings get cool, a summer quilt should keep you warm during chilly nights while still being pleasant to use. On the other hand, it shouldn’t be so hot that you break out in a sweat from the heat when you wake up in the middle of the night.