Cooling Mattress Fabrics Explained: PCM vs Cool-to-Touch vs Moisture Management

psytz7

5 hours ago

4 min read

"Sleeps cool" is one of the most requested features in bedding, but the phrase covers several different technologies. Each works in its own way, feels different to the shopper, and suits a different part of the mattress cover. This guide explains the three main approaches to cooling mattress fabric so you can choose the right one for your line.

Why sleepers feel hot

A sleeping body constantly gives off heat and moisture. When the surface it lies on traps that heat and humidity, the microclimate between sleeper and mattress warms up and the bed feels stuffy. Cooling fabrics tackle this in three ways: they absorb heat, they conduct heat away from the skin, or they move air and moisture out of the sleep zone.

1. Phase change material (PCM): absorbing heat

How PCM works

Phase change materials store and release heat as they change state. In a PCM finish, the core material is solid at ambient temperature. As body heat warms it, it melts into a liquid, absorbing heat as it does, which the sleeper feels as cooling. When the heat source is removed, the core gives back its stored latent heat and solidifies again, which resets its cooling capacity.

What to know when specifying PCM

The effect is a buffer. PCM absorbs heat until its capacity is used up, then resets.
PCM is usually applied to the fabric as a finish.
Placement matters. PCM can be applied all over or targeted where the body puts out the most heat.

Creative Ticking PCM options

CoolZero™ fabrics use cooling PCM to regulate the personal sleep environment.
CoolZone™ applies PCM chemistry only where it's needed, at the body's core, for a focused approach.

2. Cool-to-touch: conducting heat

How cool-to-touch works

Cool-to-touch fabrics use fibers or yarns that conduct heat quickly. When a hand or body first touches the surface, heat flows out of the skin faster than it would into an ordinary fabric, so it feels cool straight away. This is the "instant cool" shoppers notice in the showroom.

What to know when specifying cool-to-touch

The sensation is strongest at first contact, so it sells well on the showroom floor.
Because the effect comes from the yarn, it is built into the fabric rather than applied afterward.
It pairs well with PCM or breathable layers for longer-lasting comfort.

Creative Ticking cool-to-touch option

The Fjord™ collection is knit with super-conductive yarn, a fiber innovation common in technical textiles. The result is a fabric that is cool to the touch, with a buttery hand.

3. Breathability and moisture management: moving air and moisture

How it works

Some fabrics cool by improving airflow and helping moisture escape, instead of absorbing or conducting heat. Open, three-dimensional knit structures such as spacer fabrics create channels for air to move between the sleeper and the comfort layers. Moisture-management finishes help pull sweat away from the skin so it can evaporate.

What to know when specifying breathable fabrics

The benefit builds over the night rather than at first touch.
Spacer fabrics are often used in borders and in panels over comfort layers that need to breathe.
Airflow benefits depend on the whole build: foams and other layers also need to let air move.

Creative Ticking breathable option

The Flow™ collection uses a knitted spacer fabric to maximize temperature-regulated airflow. Its open, supportive 3D structure channels air between the sleeper and the comfort materials so the mattress can breathe.

PCM vs cool-to-touch vs breathable: comparison

	PCM	Cool-to-touch	Breathable / spacer
Cooling mechanism	Absorbs heat as it melts	Conducts heat away from skin	Moves air and moisture
When it's felt	As the body warms the surface	On first contact	Over the course of the night
Where it comes from	Applied finish	Built into the yarn	Built into the knit structure
Creative Ticking example	CoolZero™, CoolZone™	Fjord™	Flow™

Choosing the right cooling story

Selling in a showroom? Cool-to-touch gives an immediate feel shoppers can try.
Need to support a "sleeps cooler all night" story? Combine PCM with breathable construction.
Building a hybrid or premium line? Layer approaches: a cool-to-touch panel, targeted PCM and a spacer border.
Keep claims honest. Only make performance claims your fabric supplier and your own testing can back up.

Cooling is only one part of the cover. You'll also need to meet the federal open-flame standard; see our guide to 16 CFR 1633 and fire-retardant mattress fabrics and Creative Ticking's safety fabrics. For more eco-focused options, see our sustainability page.

FAQ

What is the best cooling mattress fabric?

There's no single best option. Cool-to-touch gives instant cooling, PCM buffers heat as the sleeper warms the surface, and spacer fabrics improve airflow. Many brands combine them.

Does PCM stop working?

PCM absorbs heat until it has melted, then releases that heat and resolidifies when the heat source is removed, which resets its cooling capacity.

Can cooling fabrics be used with fire barriers?

Yes. Cooling ticking is one part of the mattress cover, and the finished mattress set must still meet 16 CFR 1633.

Can I get a brochure?

Yes. You can download the thermoregulation brochure from our thermoregulation page.

Develop a cooling collection with Creative Ticking

Browse our fabric collection or contact our team to talk through PCM, cool-to-touch and spacer options for your next line.

Contact: beverlyknits.com/contact · info@beverlyknits.com · 704-861-1536