How to Sleep Comfortably Through Spokane’s Warm Summer Nights (Even Without AC)

Many people who don’t live in the Northwest have misconceptions about our seasonal temperature extremes. As an inland city east of the Cascades, Spokane doesn’t get the cooling influence of Puget Sound or Pacific coastal breezes. And despite average July and August high temperatures in the high 80s, everyone who lives here will remember summers like 2024, when we had six triple-digit days.

Many homes in Spokane still don’t have air conditioners or heat pumps for cooling. This can turn July and August nights into a sweaty, restless mess. Even when daytime highs are in the 90s, it’s still possible to stay cool at night with the right sleep setup.

1. Choose a Mattress That Breathes

One of the most overlooked causes of overheating at night is your mattress. Many people buy mattresses in winter when their main concern is warmth, not realizing how much heat retention will matter once summer rolls around. This is especially true for memory foam mattresses, which tend to trap body heat and can feel like sleeping on a furnace during Spokane’s hotter nights.

At Twilight Bedding, we often recommend cooler mattress options like innerspring or breathable latex models. These designs allow for better airflow compared to dense memory foam. They help dissipate body heat and keep you from feeling stuck to your bed in the middle of the night.

Innerspring mattresses have space around the coils that naturally promote ventilation, while latex offers a buoyant, breathable surface that stays cool and responsive.

If you already have a memory foam mattress and aren’t ready to replace it, consider adding a cooling mattress topper made from latex or breathable gel-infused foam for temporary relief.

2. Let Air Flow Naturally

Good airflow is key to sleeping comfortably without air conditioning. During Spokane’s cooler evenings and mornings, you can harness natural breezes by opening windows on opposite sides of the room. This cross-ventilation technique allows cooler air to enter while pushing warm air out.

For added circulation, position a box fan or oscillating fan in the window—either pulling in cool air when it's cooler outside or blowing hot air out during the heat of the day. You can even place a bowl of ice in front of the fan to mimic a DIY air conditioner. It’s not perfect, but it does offer some relief on especially hot nights.

If you're living in a multi-level home, remember that hot air rises. Sleeping in a lower-level room or even the basement can give you a noticeably cooler night’s sleep.

3. Elevate Your Bed Frame

Another way to enhance airflow is by checking under your bed. If your mattress is sitting on the floor or a solid platform, hot air and humidity can get trapped underneath and around your body as you sleep. An elevated bed frame allows air to circulate beneath the mattress, keeping the sleep surface drier and cooler.

Sleepers who move to elevated frames during summer often experience immediate improvement in how stuffy their bedrooms feel. A raised frame also helps reduce moisture buildup, which can be an issue during humid stretches.

4. Choose the Right Bedding and Fabrics

Summer is not the time for heavy quilts, flannel sheets, or synthetic bedding. To stay cool, swap in breathable, lightweight materials like:

• 100% cotton: Soft, breathable and moisture-wicking
• Linen: Great for hot climates due to its natural ability to regulate body temperature
• Bamboo: Silky and breathable with natural cooling properties

Look for percale or lightweight weaves, which feel crisper and cooler to the touch. Avoid microfiber or polyester-based sheets, as they tend to trap heat and sweat against your skin.

Also, think about your sleepwear. Loose-fitting clothes made from cotton or bamboo will let your skin breathe better than tight synthetic fabrics.

5. Keep the Heat Out During the Day

A comfortable summer night actually starts in the morning. To prevent your bedroom from turning into an oven by bedtime:



• Close blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day, especially on windows that get direct sunlight
• Use blackout or thermal curtains to block heat from building up
• If possible, keep the door closed to prevent warm air from other parts of the house from entering

At night, reopen the room and let in cooler outdoor air again.

6. Stay Hydrated and Wind Down

Dehydration can make it harder to regulate your body temperature. Keep a glass of water or water bottle by your bedside, and avoid caffeine or alcohol too close to bedtime since they can dehydrate you and interfere with your body’s natural cooling system.

Before bed, take a cool (not cold) shower to lower your core temperature, or try placing a cool compress on your neck, wrists or feet to help your body relax and prepare for sleep.

Sleep Cool With Our High-Quality Mattresses

If you’re struggling to sleep through Spokane’s hot summer nights, upgrading your mattress can make all the difference. At Twilight Bedding, we specialize in helping our customers find breathable, supportive, and temperature-friendly sleep solutions. Our selection includes innerspring and latex mattresses designed with airflow and comfort in mind, perfect for staying cool even without AC.

Visit Twilight Bedding today or call our North Spokane showroom at (509) 413-2431 or our Spokane Valley showroom at (509) 926-2333 for more information on cooling mattress options.