Bedding and Covers Archives

May 13, 2011August 18, 2014

Allergy Sheets

We get lots of questions from people about special allergy sheets for dust mite allergies.

If you aren’t allergic to the dyes and resins that are used in some home textiles, then you really don’t need special allergy sheets if you have dust mite allergies.The important thing to look for in dust mite sheets is washability and durability.

If you have allergies to dust mites allergy, you know that even if you have a dust mite cover on your mattress you still must wash your sheets every 7 days in 140°F water. You want sheets that will stand up to this constant washing without wearing out. If you buy sheets with bright, vibrant colors, don’t be surprised if they fade quickly. If you buy satin type sheets they will also be ruined fairly quickly.

The best sheets for dust mite allergy are sheets with a high cotton content for comfort and a thread count that will stand up to washing. Personally, I just use natural cotton sheets.If you like flannel-type sheets or sheets with bright vibrant colors, then wash them in cold water and use De-Mite laundry additive. The cold water won’t ruin the fabric or fade the dyes and the De-Mite will kill the mites and wash them away. You can safely wash your satin sheets in cold water and De-Mite also.

If in addition to your dust mite allergies you are allergic to the chemicals used to treat fabrics (resins, sizing, finishes) then stick with natural cotton. If you see cotton sheets that are bright white, you know they aren’t natural cotton. Unbleached cotton is a cream color. It will lighten with each washing. If your budget doesn’t allow for organic cotton sheets, then go for natural cotton.

In summary, the best allergy sheets are the sheets you probably already own. Money is tight so use what you have and just improve on it. Just wash weekly in extremely hot water (140°F or more) or wash with cooler temps and just add De-Mite.

May 8, 2011August 26, 2014

Washing Dust Mite Proof Covers for Allergy Control

If you have dust mite allergies, you know that washing your bedding is an important part of your allergy control program. We frequently get calls about frequency of washing dust mite proof covers.

Some people that think if you have to wash your sheets every week, then they must be washing dust mite proof covers every week.

What a chore that would be!

If you are washing your sheets and blankets every week, then you should only be washing your dust mite proof covers a few times a year. Personally, I find that my zippered dust mite proof pillow covers need washing about every 6 weeks. The oils from my hair go through the pillowcase and soil the zippered dust mite proof pillow cover underneath.

I just take the zippered cover off the pillow and toss it in the laundry along with the sheets and some De-Mite. I dry them all in the dryer on the medium (perma-press) setting and then put them back on the bed.

Simple, but oh so important in controlling dust mite allergy.

May 7, 2011August 26, 2014

Suprising News about Buckwheat Pillows

I have been hearing quite a bit about buckwheat pillows lately. I talk to people with allergies that swear by them as an alternative to a feather pillow. I thought I would investigate to see if this is an item that we should carry. What I found amazed me.

While this information is not new, it is sure new to me. Turns out that buckwheat pillows are about the last thing you want to sleep on if you have dust mite allergies.

Several studies have been done, but the one that just knocked the dust mite cover off my pillow was the one done in Korea in 2004.

Buckwheat pillows are very popular in Korea. Researchers from Korea and New Zealand decided to see if these buckwheat pillows were better for people with allergies.

Thirteen pairs of pillows (one synthetic and one buckwheat) were given to thirteen volunteers. Both pillows went on the bed with the volunteer. Dust samples were taken from the beds before the pillows were put on the bed.

Endotoxin, a pro-inflammatory compound from cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria, was found to be present in slightly higher levels in the new buckwheat pillows. After three months, the pillows were tested.

The levels of endotoxins were significantly higher in the buckwheat pillows. Since endotoxin has been linked to asthma, this does not bode well for the chances of buckwheat pillows finding their way into The Allergy Store. You can read the study for yourself at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2816881/

The bottom line is that if you have allergies, you should not have a buckwheat pillow. If you want a soft pillow, I suggest the Luxury Down Alternative Pillow. This pillow is a synthetic gel fiber. If you are convinced that you must sleep with an endotoxin-laden buckwheat pillow, then cover it with a Dust Mite Proof Pillow Cover.