Your Easy Guide to Buying Hypoallergenic Bedding

• Posted on 12 November 2017
• By Linen Alley
• Posted in bedroom allergens, dust mites, hypoallergenic bedding, Jackson Hole, pillow cases
• 0

The culprit behind your allergies probably isn't outside. It's in your bedroom! According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites.

What can you do? Wash your bedding once a week in hot water to kill dust mites. This will also clean off any pollen or other allergens that may be on them. In order to really solve the problem, you can also switch to hypoallergenic bedding. Here is a quick guide to choosing hypoallergenic bedding.

The Problem with Dust Mites

Dust mites and the waste they leave behind are the most common causes of non-seasonal allergies and asthma.

Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in your bedroom pillows and mattresses. They also live in carpets and upholstery. And it has nothing to do with your housekeeping habits. Even the most pristine home is subject to dust mites.

Hypoallergenic Encasements

An encasement is a woven cover, like a pillowcase or mattress cover. The cover seals the pillow or mattress completely. It provides a seal between you and dust mites.

Hypoallergenic bedding won't trap dust and other allergens. That can certainly affect an allergy sufferer's sleep. Dust mites, along with their feces and dead human skin can make up to two-thirds of your pillow's weight.

Tightly woven covers or encasements for your pillows and mattresses deter dust mites. Dust mites cannot penetrate the tight weave.

The encasements should cover the entire bed, both the mattress and the box spring. You should have pillow covers for all your pillows, and not just the pillow closest to you when you sleep. Pillowcases should zip close to make a complete seal around the pillow. Likewise, the mattress covers should fit over the entire mattress top and bottom.

If you are planning on a new bed, latex pillows and latex mattresses also repel dust mites. If you are adding a duvet, be sure it's made of silk or wool.

What to Look for When Shopping for Hypoallergenic Bedding

Complete protection from dust mites comes from non-porous fabrics. On the one hand, these are inexpensive. On the other hand, they are not breathable fabrics. Because of this, you may feel too hot at night.

Mattress Covers and Pillow Cases

For your covers or encasements, look for a polyester, microfiber fabric. Alternatively, look for a cotton fabric with a laminated membrane made of nylon. A third choice is a cotton fabric that is woven tightly and has very fine threads.

Again, the covers should completely cover the mattress, box spring, and pillows.

Coverings for Your Comforter and Duvet

Some manufacturers even make cotton coverings for your comforters and duvets. The weave is tight enough that dust mites can't get through and take up residence.

Why cover your comforter? You can buy alternative down comforters. Many come with synthetic fabrics as an alternative to down. This reduces the chance of you reacting to the down feathers. But, it does not deter dust mites.

Start Reducing Bedroom Allergens Today

Now you know what types of hypoallergenic bedding you are looking for. You can start shopping for new bedding now.

You can search the internet for companies that specialize in allergy-reducing linens. Or, look into encasements that will cover the pillows, mattress, and comforter you already own.

Also, search our website to see what bedding selections we have for you.