We are asked this question several times a week by our customers. I know my first response is usually the best dust mite covers for you are the dust mite covers you will use.
The reason I say that is because we find people who will got to the expense and effort to buy some dust mite covers and then don’t use them or quit after a short period of time. Just like an air cleaner, you need to keep using them all the time. If not you just wasted your money. So, the first quality that makes it the best dust mite cover is that it will stay on your bed.
Understand there are mattress covers and there are allergy mattress covers. What is the difference you ask?
A regular mattress cover is designed to protect the mattress from soil and the oils from your skin that can come through the sheets. In most cases they go on the mattress like a fitted sheet is on the bed to protect the mattress from you. The dust mite cover is there to protect you from all the allergens that collect in your mattress.
We carry several different styles of covers that not only protect you from dust mite allergens but bedbugs as well.
Are the Best Dust Mite Covers Plastic?
The membrane style mattress cover may be made of cotton, polyester or some sort of cotton/poly blend. The fabric is fused to very sheer layer of urethane that make the fabric allergen-proof and water-proof. This type of cover is great for children’s beds.
Sometimes, people will even put a vinyl cover on the mattress to give water-proof protection. While this will protect the mattress it is not so great for the person trying to sleep on the mattress. Vinyl makes noise when the sleeper moves or shifts and because water vapor can build up under the cover it makes for hot sleeping. So unless you need the protection of vinyl, the best dust mite covers that are waterproof are not plastic but membrane-coated.
Do Microweaves Make the Best Dust Mite Covers?
The non-membrane mattress covers are made from special barrier cloth fabrics. These fabrics can be all cotton (AllergyCare Cotton), all polyester (Pristine Luxury), a blend of cotton and polyester (Allersoft Blend). The fibers used to make the fabric are so tightly woven that normal household allergens cannot penetrate the allergy mattress cover. Allergens, such as molds, dust mites, dust mite feces, pollens, and animal allergen coated fur and dander are trapped under the cover.
When you are shopping for your your covers, ask about the average (or mean) pore size.This is the amount of space (measured in microns) that exists between the fibers in the weave. For best protection, find covers with a pore size of 8 microns or less. The smaller the pore size, the better the protection.
The smallest pore sizes will be found in mattress covers that are made of all polyester. This is because polyester is a strong fiber and can withstand tight weaving. However, allergy mattress covers that are made from all polyester may feel a slick and might not be as cool as cotton.
Dust mite covers that are made with 100% cotton will have a larger pore size, because cotton is not as strong as polyester and cannot be woven as tightly without the fiber breaking, but will be soft and cool. All cotton covers might not last as many years as the all polyester cover. For those that only want organic products , we do have dust mite covers made with 100% organic cotton.
The Best Dust Mite Covers Have a Zipper
No matter the fabric you pick, make sure it is made with a heavy duty zipper. In some instances (such as adjustable beds or during travel) a zippered mattress cover is not practical and a fitted mattress cover is the only option.
Remember that a good quality mattress cover is an investment that will protect both you and your mattress from allergens for years to come.
Wishing you the best of health
Mike
AllergyStore – Helping our customers since 1989
800 771-2246