Dust Mites Archives

December 9, 2011July 18, 2014

What is AllerSoft?

AllerSoft is a registered trademark of Narcote, LLC. They make allergy control fabrics as well as other medical and sports related fabrics.

The main AllerSoft fabrics you will see are either all cotton fabrics or cotton polyester blends. The blend is the original fabric used in AllerSoft dust mite proof mattress covers. Because it has polyester in addition to the cotton, it can be woven more tightly. Because the weave is tighter, the pore size between the fibers is smaller.

The polyester also makes the fabric more durable than the all cotton fabric.

However, when it comes to softness, you just can’t beat AllerSoft 100% Cotton fabric. It is so light, thin, cool and comfortable you don’t even know it is on the bed. Of the people that walk into our retail location and feel the fabrics before they make a purchase, the AllerSoft 100% cotton is the most popular.

The Allersoft 100% Cotton is also available in a certified organic form.. This is the same cool, comfortable AllerSoft cotton fabric, however its growth has been certified to be organic. That means it was grown without chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer.

When you are looking for allergy-proof mattress and pillow covers and you want cotton content in the fibers, be sure to look for the AllerSoft trademark. It is a sign that you are getting a quality fabric. But then again, we wouldn’t sell AllerSoft if it didn’t do the job.

Til Next Time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store

November 5, 2011July 22, 2014

Can You have a Dust Ruffle if You Have Allergies?

In my humble opinion, nothing makes a bed look more finished than a dust ruffle. It’s just that little accessory that makes it bedroom set look complete. Its like the bow tie on a tuxedo or the pocketbook carried by the Queen of England. But can you have a dust ruffle if you have allergies?

Its function, like a bedskirt, is to cover that awkward area from the bottom of the mattress to just above the floor. This covers your boxspring and also helps hide anything you may have hidden under the bed. It answers the question, “What do I do with the space not covered by my comforter?”

If you have dust mite allergies, the doctors will tell you that if you can’t cover it in a zippered allergy-proof cover or wash it in 140°F water every week, it has no business on your bed. Well, it is not practical for me to take my bed apart every 7 days just to get the dust ruffle off and in the wash. There is no such thing as a dust ruffle cover, but my dust ruffle does have business on my bed. It is there to look pretty! It works hard making sure that my boxspring is modestly covered (who wants to show their boxspring??) It turns the area under my bed into the perfect hiding spot for my cat, Faith. Faith thinks she is like a rare unicorn and cannot be gazed upon by human eyes. She spends much time in hiding and a favorite spot is under the bed, but I digress.

you can have a dust ruffle if you have allergies

So, the dust ruffle stays, but the dust mite allergies must go! My solution? ADMS anti-allergen spray. This is the same spray I used to use when I had carpeting in my room. I just lightly mist the dust ruffle once a month with this solution and my dust ruffle can stay. ADMS has many great uses. What it does is denature (or break down) the proteins in the dust mite body and feces that cause me to have allergic reactions. It also works on other household allergens like mold, pollen and yes even the allergens from hiding cats like Faith. It is odorless and doesn’t stain. It is safe for all fabrics and almost all surfaces. I use ADMS Anti-Allergen Spray on other things in my house, such as rugs, upholstered furniture and curtains. It is great for many things…but when it comes to letting me keep my pretty dust ruffle, it is the best anti-allergen spray there is. Yes, you can have a dust ruffle if you have allergies if you have ADMS.

Til Next Time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store

November 4, 2011July 22, 2014

Best Allergy Cover for Duvets

Now that we have pulled out our winter comforters and duvets, its time to talk about keeping them allergy-free. So what is the best allergy cover for duvets?

In my last post, I gave several alternatives to cleaning and freshening your duvet after it has been in storage. I mentioned that one of the steps is washing the allergy-proof cover on your duvet.

Because if you have duvets you need an allergy cover for duvets. But what if you don’t already have an allergy cover on your duvet? Well, it is probably loaded with allergens, but a quality allergy-proof duvet cover will give you the protection you need. Remember, all duvets will collect allergens over time. This is true for wool and silk filled duvets (which are naturally dust mite resistant) as well as those that are filled with other natural or man-made materials. An allergy proof cover will also keep your duvet fresh and like new for years to come.

Since most duvets are already hefty, you don’t want anything that is going to add more weight. That is why I recommend the AllergyCare Cotton 100% cotton fabric. It is lightweight and comfortable. It will completely encase your duvet trapping in those allergens, but it won’t add much weight. It also won’t make the duvet hotter. This is important if you are covering an all seasons comforter. Many allergy bedding websites promote some sort of polyester knit fabric as a cost-effective cover for the duvet. We also sell this fabric as our Bed Bug Cover, but I don’t recommend it as a duvet cover fabric. Quite frankly, it is a hot and heavy fabric. If you don’t have bed bugs actively living in your duvet, then you don’t need that thick, heavy fabric. Also, if you are using the duvet cover as a liner, you want to stay away from anything with Pristine in the name. Pristine is a great fabric, but it is slick. You may have to contend with the cover slipping and sliding around.

The best allergy-proof duvet cover is one that does its job without you even knowing it is there! That is why I recommend the AllergyCare Cotton 100% cotton fabric. The specially woven fabric won’t allow dust mites, their feces or other particles to become airborne while you are sleeping. You can safely pull that duvet all the way up to your nose and still sleep dust mite free. It can be easily laundered in your home washing machine. It is made in the USA and made to last!

While we sell many fabrics, when it comes to a great allergy-proof duvet cover, I don’t think anything beats AllergyCare cotton.

Til next time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store