Bedding and Covers Archives

Allergy Covers for Travel

Do you travel much for work or pleasure? Do you worry about what’s lurking in that hotel bed? If the answer to either question is “Yes” then you might want to invest in fitted dust mite-proof allergy covers for travel. If you generally stay in a room with a king-size bed, get the king-size. If you are a queen-size bed traveler, then the queen size is perfect for you.

These allergy covers for travel are made from a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester fused to a waterproof, dust-mite-proof membrane. Instead of the traditional zippered construction, these covers are made in the same fashion as a fitted sheet. With elastic bands on the corners, these covers are easy to slip on and off the bed. That is what makes them perfect for travel.

A fitted cover does not give you the same level of protection as a zippered cover, but it certainly gives you more protection than doing nothing. They easily fold into a compact size so they don’t take up much room in the suitcase, another reason these are great allergy covers for travel.

If you are a frequent hotel guest, you might want to think about bringing your own cover. That way no matter the “history” of the bed, you are protected. And speaking of protection, women travelers need to be particularly alert.

Til next time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store

How Your Dust Mite Cover Should Fit?

We get lots of questions from people trying to decide what size dust mite cover to buy for their mattresses. Over the months, I have written lots about the different fabrics, but I don’t think I have ever addressed how the dust mite cover should fit.

How Should It Fit?

There is a misconception that the cover needs to fit tightly. Actually, the opposite is true. If you try to put a too-small cover on a too-large mattress you will put stress on the seams and the zipper closure. Those are the weakest points in your line of defense against dust mites. You don’t want any strain or stress on those seams or zippers. So, your dust mite cover should fit loosely and not tight at all.

How Do You Measure the Depth?

Most people know what “size” their mattress is (queen, king, twin, full, etc) but they are not sure of the depth of the mattress. To measure the depth of your mattress, you need to strip the bed down. That means removing all the bedding, including the sheets and any mattress pad you might keep on the bed.

Get down at eye level with the mattress (only measure the mattress for depth, do not include the box spring in the depth measurement) and measure from the top seam to the bottom seam. If you have a pillow-top mattress, take the measurement in several places.

Round Up or Round Down?

Round that measurement up to determine the proper depth mattress cover to purchase.

For example, if your mattress measures 10″ deep, you want the 12″ deep cover. While you might be able to stretch and tug to get a 9″ cover on that 10″ mattress, chances are you are going to stress the seam or tear out the zipper in your attempt.

While the 12″ cover will give you a little extra fabric, it does not affect the dust mite protection of the zippered mattress cover. Just take that little bit of extra fabric and tuck it between the mattress and the box spring. Your fitted sheet will hold it in place.

Properly sized, your dust mite mattress cover will last for years and give you night after night of protection. So make sure your dust mite cover fits right.

Til Next Time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store

Must Have Allergy Control Products

After taking an extended trip, I have come to the conclusion that:

There really is no place like home
There really are some must-have allergy control products. These are the allergy control products I just can’t do without.

Must-Have Allergy Control Product #1 Allergen Wash

I was fortunate that one of the stops on my multi-state trip was my mother’s home. I knew I could depend on her to have a bottle of Allergen Wash. Not only could I wash out all the dust, dirt, and grime but I could get rid of the allergens also.

You might not think of allergens in the laundry, but on this extended road trip, I didn’t get many opportunities to do laundry and I knew that my clothing was collecting pollens because some of it was damp (did I mention that this trip included spending an afternoon hauling the contents of a Budget moving truck up a flight of stairs in 100-degree weather?) it was ripe for molds and dust mites. It was great to see Mom and it was great to see her washer and dryer and that bottle of Allergen Wash.

Must-Have Allergy Control Product #2 Allergy Bedding

It was also nice to sleep on a bed that was completely protected in zippered dust mite-proof mattress covers and pillow covers. Of the many places I slept on this trip, only two of them were places where the beds were completely covered.

It makes such a difference in how I feel in the morning when I get up. Covers = Cheryl which is a bright ray of sunshine. No Covers = Cheryl that can’t see straight, can’t think straight, and is a growly, crabby bear. I don’t try to hide it…I know how I am!

Must-Have Allergy Control Product #3 – ADMS Spray

This brings me to the third allergy control product I can’t live without……my bottle of ADMS Spray.

The ADMS Spray is a lifesaver when you are going to be staying where you can’t control your environment.

As I have written before, a quick spray on the air conditioner, bedding, and carpeting and most hotel rooms can have a drastic reduction in the level of allergens waiting to greet you. I didn’t have a room that gave me problems on the entire trip!

It is certainly good to see the countryside, but it is even better to be home. In your own bed. In your own bedroom that has no carpeting. With your Austin Air HealthMate humming you softly to sleep.

Til Next Time

Cheryl