There are a few reasons why some people may choose to dampen their sheets before bed. Curl up with a towel after a shower and apply it generously to your body, then drape the sheet over you like a blanket-that is how most people sleep at home. For people who live in hot climates, this cooling action may be welcomed before sleeping. Others simply believe that doing so will help the water evaporate more quickly and cause them to cool down faster.
However, there are also drawbacks to sleeping on damp sheets. Dampening the sheets (or any cloth material) removes its ability to conduct heat away from the body. This can result in dangerously low body temperatures if not corrected by other means, such as putting on additional clothing or using an electric fan. In extreme cases, this cold weather can lead to death. Additionally, any bacteria or moisture that remains on the sheets after dampening can cause infections in the morning if spread to open wounds or skin areas.