Bedding and Covers Archives

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

Do You Need To Cover All Pillows

A lovely young couple was in the store last week. He had just been diagnosed with allergy to dust mites. The doctor had sent them to us right away with instructions for allergy-proofing their bedroom.

They were on a tight budget (aren’t we all) and were looking to spend where they would get the most bang for their buck.

He asked why it was necessary to cover all pillows on the bed with a dust mite proof pillow cover, not just the one he slept on. It is a very common question. I mean if you aren’t sleeping on it why must it be covered? Why do you have to cover all pillows to get allergy relief?

In order to answer the question, you have to understand how you are exposed to dust mites. These microscopic creatures and their feces are in your mattress, pillow, and comforters. Every time someone moves on the bed, a cloud of microscopic particles is blown into the air and the allergic person inhales these particles. So, if person A (the person with allergies) is laying in bed with their covered pillow and person B is laying on the bed with a pillow that is not covered, every time person B moves, they will send up a cloud of particles that will rain down on person A. Person A is not protected from B’s allergens.

The other scenario is that you sleep on two or more pillows. If you only cover the pillow on which you lay your head, every time you move your head the other pillows release their cloud, right there by your head.

What I recommended to this couple was something I do myself. The pillows that are used to cradle the head are the pillows where you put the most expensive and comfortable covers. For example, if you have 6 pillows on the bed (1 for each person’s head, 1 to go under each person’s sleeping pillow, and 2 for decorative shams) then the pillows that are used for sleeping should have a microweave pillow encasement made from Pristine Luxury or AllergCare Cotton. The other pillows can be encased with coated fabrics like the Bed Bug Solution fabric, which are totally effective just less expensive. That way you can cover all pillows and stretch your allergy control dollar.

Just another way to get the protection you need without spending more than you need.

Til Next Time

Cheryl
The Allergy Store

Is Summer B in Your Schedule?

If you have now or ever had a college student in your family, you know all about the Summer B term. Summer B is the term just before the fall term. Some freshmen get a jump start by beginning in Summer B. It allows them to take a few classes and adjust to life on campus before the craziness of the full Fall semester begins.

Some Honors College students are required to take Summer B and many athletic programs require their students to be on campus for Summer B. No matter what the reason if you have a Summer B student, you have to start thinking back to school 6 weeks before the rest of the country.

So, for you Summer B crowd, let’s review the off-to-college basics.

Expect your student to get more colds. They will be living in close proximity to other people and other people’s germs. They are immune to the ones at home…this is a whole environment. Also, most college students don’t eat a proper diet and don’t get the recommended amount of rest.

All of this takes a toll on the immune system. Anytime the immune system is compromised, allergies and asthma can flare up also. So, make sure they have tissues and know what to do when they get a cold. Some college health clinics even sell a “my first cold kit” that has everything from a cup of chicken soup to tissues and cough drops!

You invested time and effort in making sure your teen’s room is free from dust mites and bed bugs. While you can’t export the entire room off to college, you can make sure they are protected. Find out in advance what size mattress the room will have. For years the standard dorm bed was a long twin, but as dorms are remodeled, many are switching to full size.

You don’t have to wonder if the mattress will be extra deep or a pillow-top…it won’t be! If you want to add some extra padding or cushion, get them an egg crate or foam topper. Be sure to put this under the zippered mattress encasing.

And speaking of zippered mattress covers, you want one that will be bed bug-proof and allergy-proof. We recommend the Bed Bug Cover for complete protection which is also inexpensive. Don’t forget to send along a zippered allergy-proof pillow cover or two. Remind them to wash the sheets weekly, but don’t be surprised when they aren’t. It is just the way it is.

If you are thinking about an air cleaner, the Austin Air HealthMate Junior is the perfect size for a dorm room. It is well built and sturdy, and even if your student graduates on the 5-year plan, they won’t need a filter change for the entire 5 years!

As the parent of a Summer B student, you get a jump on the crowd preparing for back to school. When they are going crazy in August, you can sit back and chuckle knowing that you have been there and done that!

Til Next Time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store