Frequently Asked Questions about Allergy Relief Bedding

What are dust mites?

They may look like tiny insects, but these eight-legged arachnids are actually related to spiders. Dust mites are too small to be seen with the human eye. They flourish in warm, humid environments like your bed and survive by feeding off dead human skin cells and animal dander. Dust mite populations increase rapidly; each egg-laying female can increase the population by 25 or 30 mites a week, and depending on its age, your bed may house between one and ten million dust mites. At least 10% of humans are allergic to dust mite proteins that are found in their waste particles and decomposed body parts. During its 80-day lifespan, the average dust mite produces around 1,000 allergenic waste particles. Dust mite allergen is the number one cause of year-round allergic rhinitis. See our dust mite fact sheet for more information.

How do I know if I have a dust mite problem?

Dust mite allergens can cause sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, nasal stuffiness, runny nose, stuffy ears, respiratory problems, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. If you think you may have a dust mite problem, you can test the level of dust mite allergens inside your home with a dust mite detection kit.

What is allergy relief bedding?

Allergy relief bedding (also referred to as dust mite bedding or dust mite encasings) is specifically designed to prevent dust mites and other allergens from infesting your bed. The only way to eliminate dust mites is to cut off their source of food (your dead skin cells) by setting up a barrier between yourself and the dust mites. Allergy relief bedding encases your entire bed and provides that necessary barrier.

How does allergy relief bedding eliminate dust mites?

Dust mites and other common household allergens are so tiny that they can easily slip through the pores between the thread of normal bedding fabrics. Allergy relief bedding, on the other hand, is woven tightly so that the pores are too small for dust mites to penetrate—and once their food supply is cut off, the dust mites will soon die. Best of all, you can continue to use all your favorite decorative sheets and pillow cases; simply wash them on a weekly basis to keep them free of dust mites.

How big is dust mite allergen?

Dust mite allergen averages around 10 microns in diameter. One micron is 1/25,000 of an inch. To give you an idea of how small this is, dust mites are around 300 microns, and a grain of sand can be over 800 microns! Therefore, in order to effectively block dust mite allergens, the pore size of allergy relief bedding must be smaller than 10 microns. Allergy Armor AllerSoft Cotton Blend has an average pore size of 3.9 microns. Allergy Armor Advanced, a luxurious microfiber fabric, has an average pore size of 6 microns. Both fabrics offer effective protection against dust mites. Allergy Armor CleanAir Classic Membrane offers excellent protection as well; instead of small pores, it has a waterproof urethane lining to block out dust mite allergen. Allergy Armor Ultra has the smallest average pore size in the industry at 2.8 microns.

Does allergy relief bedding block out other allergens besides dust mites?

Yes, allergy relief bedding also blocks out other allergens like mold and pollen, and with an average pore size of 2.8 microns, Allergy Armor Ultra blocks out even the smallest allergens like cat dander. While dust mite allergen averages around 10 microns, pet dander is often smaller than 5 microns. Allergy Armor Ultra and Allergy Armor Advanced also have a special antimicrobial finish that provides long-term protection against mold, mildew, soiling agents, stains, and deterioration.

What are the advantages of allergy relief bedding?

Over 50 million people in the United States alone suffer from allergies, and of those 50 million people, 80% are allergic to dust mites. Allergy relief bedding is the first line of defense against allergies. A Johns Hopkins University study showed that "mite population and allergen levels decreased by 90% or more within a month of placing mattress and pillow covers and treating bedding." If you decrease your exposure to allergens, then you will breathe easier, sleep more soundly, and feel better. It's that simple! Even if you don't have allergies, you'll rest easier knowing that you're not living in a miniature ecosystem of microorganisms. Furthermore, a recent medical study suggests that decreased exposure to allergens in infancy may prevent the development of allergic disease. So if you're not allergic to dust mites now, you could develop an allergy if you continue allowing them to live in your bed. Allergy relief bedding will also protect your mattress and add years to its lifespan.

What type of fabric is allergy relief bedding?

The type of fabric depends on the quality of allergy relief bedding. Our highest quality choices for allergy relief bedding, Allergy Armor Ultra and Allergy Armor Advanced, are both made from microfiber fabric; it is the softest, coolest, and most breathable type of fabric. Allergy Armor AllerSoft Cotton Blend fabric is a breathable membrane-free cotton/poly blend. Allergy Armor CleanAir Classic Membrane fabric is a cotton/poly blend with an inner urethane membrane, which makes the fabric too noisy and warm for some sleepers, but the waterproof membrane makes it a good option for young children. Our Sleep Fresh allergy relief bedding is also a waterproof membrane fabric, but it lacks the outer cotton/poly blend and is only recommended for encasing box springs. Refer to the allergy relief bedding buying guide for a more detailed explanation of the different fabric types.

Is allergy relief bedding hot?

Allergy relief bedding has improved drastically over the past few years. Fifteen years ago, all allergy relief bedding was hot, noisy, and uncomfortable. Today, thanks to technological advances, you can buy allergy relief bedding that feels just as cool and comfortable as regular sheets. Request a free fabric sample and feel for yourself!

How do I clean my allergy relief bedding?

Caring for allergy relief mattress and pillow covers is simple. Most encasings can be machine washed on warm or hot and gently tumble dried. Others can be wiped with a wet wash cloth. Never use bleach. Pillow covers can be washed every couple of weeks. Mattress covers need to be washed only 3 or 4 times per year. Other bedding should be washed in hot water every one to two weeks.

How do I know what size to buy?

It is very important to measure the depth of your mattress when ordering allergy relief bedding. Simply measure your mattress from the bottom to top, seam to seam. Don't worry if your mattress is thicker in the middle, as our fabrics are cut to accommodate center bulges. The two sizes we have available are 9” deep and 15” deep. For mattresses 9" deep and smaller, order 9" encasings. For mattresses with depths of 10" to 15", order 15" encasings. If there is extra fabric left over, it can be easily tucked between the mattress and box spring. If your mattress is deeper than 15", please call us, and we can design and build an Allergy Armor allergy relief mattress cover specially for you.

Should I encase my box spring?

Box springs should be encased to keep dust mite allergens from penetrating your mattress. These encasings work synergistically with mattress encasings to provide maximum protection. Box spring covers are effective and inexpensive. They are easy to clean and are made of thick vinyl that does not rip easily.

Should I encase my comforter?

Allergy relief comforter covers are woven so tightly that no allergens can penetrate. You do not have to throw out your old comforter and purchase a new one. Simply shield your old comforter with an encasing, and if you like, you can cover the encasing with a decorative duvet cover.

Do I need a hypoallergenic mattress pad?

Hypoallergenic mattress pads are great for allergy sufferers who are allergic to regular down mattress pads. They replicate the dreamy softness and warmth of down—without the allergens. Wake up feeling completely rested and allergy-free on a hypoallergenic mattress pad.

When should I replace my mattress?

We recommended that you replace your mattress every 10 years—at the very least. When you replace your mattress, we recommend that you switch to a hypoallergenic mattress, but in the meantime, you can increase the lifespan of your mattress by using an encasing. Since you spend about a third of your life sleeping, shouldn’t you choose a bed that lets you to sleep comfortably and allergy-free?

Why doesn't everybody have allergy relief bedding?

Most people are unaware of the proliferation of allergens in their bedrooms. They do not realize that they shed 2-3 pounds of skin per year, while spending about a third of that year in bed; therefore, they deposit about a pound of skin directly into their mattress, and all that dead skin feeds the growing dust mite population living in their bed. After 10 years, the weight of the average mattress doubles due to dust mite infestation. Most people don't realize that 80% of allergy sufferers are allergic to dust mites, nor do they realize that exposure to allergens can actually cause allergic disease. Finally, most people have no idea that modern allergy relief bedding is just as cool and comfortable as regular bedding. When dust mite covers first appeared several years ago, they were comparable to big trash bags that went over your mattress—hot, noisy, and uncomfortable. But thanks to scientific advances, today's allergy relief bedding is nothing like a trash bag. Modern allergy relief bedding provides more protection from allergens, and it is so comfortable that most people can't even tell that it has been installed on their mattress.

Where can I buy allergy relief bedding?

achoo! ALLERGY specializes in allergy relief bedding! You can purchase dust mite covers right here on our website.

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What else can I do to protect my bed from dust mites and other allergens?

The air inside your house can be 5 to 100 times dirtier than the air outside! You can remove allergens from your home's air with a HEPA air purifier. Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters can remove allergens from your carpet and upholstery, and humidity control products also play an important role in making your home allergy-free. achoo! ALLERGY also sells a wide variety of cleaning products specifically designed to eliminate dust mites and other allergens.