Allergy Bedding

I have to say, I always enjoy reading or hearing stories like the one a friend of mine passed me yesterday (thank you Cordelia!). A very similar story was part of the broadcast on NPR this morning as well. The focus of both was controlling asthma, but to me the more interesting part was how it was being done - environmental control.

At AchooAllergy.com, we have been advocating environmental control, as a way to reduce allergic and asthmatic reactions, for over a decade. So, it is always heartening to see doctors, insurers and others recognizing the importance of this preventative style approach to asthma and allergies and actually creating programs to bring these ideas into the homes of people who need it the most.

Environmental control is multifaceted, and something that is often done in stages. Because it can be time intensive and not the most inexpensive process in the world, we have always stressed that people start with the bedroom and work out towards the rest of the home. You spend more time in your bedroom than any other single room in your home, so if there is one place to be a sanctuary, a place where you can provide relief from allergens, it should be there.

Both stories touched on things we have written about and advocated for years.

• Using a HEPA vacuum cleaner
• Installing allergy bedding covers on your mattress and pillow
• Avoiding harsh cleaners like bleach or ammonia based cleaning products as well as "deodorizers" that pollute the indoor air even more
• And, removing carpet, to name a few

These measures all work to do one main thing - reduce allergens and improve the indoor environment. In addition to this, programs like the Community Asthma Initiative actually help people by going into the home, educating, coaching and providing the information and products to go about making these changes. Most importantly, they also measure their results, and in a time when budgets are being literally pushed to their breaking points, the ability to quantify the good that comes from these measures is critical in obtaining the funding to continue and expand this type of program.

On a similar note, over the last year, we have had the benefit of working with a partner who has recognized the benefit of allergy bedding in helping to reduce dust and dust mites in the home. With them we have been able to provide mattress covers, pillow covers, pillows, and other dust mite bedding to hundreds of people who, without this program, would not likely be able to afford it. Sadly these partnerships remain more of a rarity than the norm, and one of the biggest problems remains education - education of those affected as well as education of those who can help and those who can provide funding for these types of programs. Too few people in both of these groups understand the long term benefit that environmental control can offer.

The educational side is where other partners, like the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics, is critical. As a non-profit on the front lines of asthma education and advocacy, the AANMA works to not only help to educate those affected by allergies and asthma, but they also act as a voice to raise awareness on these issues at the state and national government levels.

Allergy shots remain one of the closest things to a cure for allergies, and while medication can tamp down many of the reactions that those affected with asthma have, it's really only when the these things are combined with environmental control measures in the home that the most benefit is seen. It is my sincere hope that as research continues, partnerships, like the ones we have, and programs like the Community Asthma Initiative can continue to coalesce and provide health benefits to those who need it most.

For the full article from Pediatrics Journal.
For more information about the Community Asthma Initiative program or to read/listen to the NPR story.

Author: Kevin Gilmore

We recently expanded the our line of Organic Cotton Blankets. Traditionally, we have offered what we refer to as our 100 weight (wt.) crepe weave blanket. Perfect for year-round use, the crepe weave blanket is light enough for summer use but an excellent for use under your winter comforter for those colder nights. Now you can purchase the crepe weave blanket in a slightly heavier weight.

Our 120 Wt. organic cotton blanket weighs a bit more, but is woven with a slightly different crepe pattern. This pattern tightens the blanket while the added weight means you get a heavier blanket. The new 120 Wt. has also undergone an initial warm water prewash. This fabric won't shrink as much as the 110, but it's still a good idea that regardless of which of these two blankets you go with, wash them by themselves for the initial washing. I made the mistake of washing one with a smaller, dark-color cotton blanket, and now it has cotton fuzzies on it! In terms of shrinking, organic cotton is untreated so, both will shrink in the first wash. We have sized both large to accommodate for this.

So whether you want a great year-round organic blanket or one more geared towards the cooler months, both of our Allergy Armor organic cotton blankets are warm, durable, chemical, dye and finisher free, and are both 100% American Grown and Made products!

In other news, the Allergy Armor Ultra Comforters have arrived! Pre-ordered comforters are shipping today, so if you've purchased one, it should arrive in the days ahead. If you haven't, this warm, durable and allergen blocking comforter might be the perfect addition to your bedding set.

With reinforced, rolled edges and a boxed construction, the Allergy Armor comforter uses the allergen blocking power of our Ultra fabric to keep dust mites, pollen, dander and other particle allergens out. Machine wash and dry (might need to run through a cycle or two unless you're using a big laundromat style dryer), then use the sew-ins on the corner to tie your decorative duvet cover on, and you're all set!

They even have a born-on date on the tag. So 20 years from now you'll still be able to see where and when you got that great, allergy-friendly comforter that's held up so well for all those years.

Author: Kevin G.

As the latest product in our line of Allergy Armor bedding, the Allergy Armor Comforter provides built-in allergen protection. Using our Ultra line of fabric, we've created a comforter that not only blocks allergens like dust mites, pollen and dander, but is also warm and durable.

Similar to the Allergy Armor Ultra Pillows, this comforter is actually made from the Ultra barrier fabric, eliminating the need to for an extra duvet cover. No more added weight and with sewn in loops on the corners, you can easily tie a decorative duvet cover over your Ultra comforter. This means that your comforter won't ball up or shift, and you can use any cover to match the decor of your room.

A reinforced, rolled edge provides for added strength and allows our comforter to better retain its shape and not resemble something that looks like a strip of bacon. The filling is a non-woven, non-allergenic polyfill that will provide years of warmth, and a boxed construction means the fill cannot all collect in one corner of the comforter. Instead it stays inside of each baffle.

For convenience, the Allergy Armor comforter can be machine washed and dried, and a ten year warranty means we have confidence that this comforter will be the last comforter you will need for a long time.

Allergy Armor Ultra fabric is our top-of-the-line fabric. With an average pore size of 2.8 microns, Ultra provides complete protection against all common particle allergens (dust mites, dander, pollen, mold spores, etc), even some of the very smallest like cat dander. This fabric also features an antimicrobial finish that has been used in hospitals and on sports apparel for almost three decades.

Available in three sizes, you can take advantage of the 15% off bedding sale and pre-order yours today!

Author: Kevin G

A few years ago we started seeing allergy bedding pop up in large retail stores, and ever since we get not only get customers asking what the difference is, but also our referring physicians and allergists ask this. While the products themselves may seem very similar, there are some very key differences between what you'll find at your local Wal-Mart and Target versus what we offer.

We at AchooAllergy have been producing and selling allergy bedding for over a decade. With a full 12 years of experience under our belt, we have transitioned most of our production to our very own facility.

Big box stores are stocked full of products that are largely imported from China, and the same is true when it comes to the allergy bedding you find there. While some of those products may serve you well, the trade-off for a lower price is lower quality. A pillow cover may last you a year or two and others, two days before something breaks or tears. I call this the "dud factor". With imports, the dud factor goes up, and the chances of getting a dud is higher. This isn't to say you don't get the occasional dud from more expensive products, but the chances are less likely.

If you have a thicker mattress you likely won't find a cover large enough to meet your needs, and the selection of different fabrics (at different price points and features) simply is not there. As with trying to find uniquely sized furnace filters, you will only find the most popular/common sizes in big box stores. However, our Allergy Armor brand bedding is a cut above the rest.

Most of our Allergy Armor line uses premium fabric, made here in the U.S., and our top products feature YKK zippers. These are two big reasons why we offer 5 year, 10 year and even lifetime warranties on our best allergy bedding covers. Allergy Armor Ultra even comes with an antimicrobial finish. And if you ever have a problem, let us know and we'll make it right! As a small business, our customers are important, and level of service you receive from our customer service staff and support offered from our website far outpace that of larger retailers.

In terms of the product, our material is breathable, comfortable, and tested to provide you relief. When you open an Allergy Armor mattress or pillow cover, you actually feel fabric, not plastic or paper-like material, and if you want to compare the pros and cons of each fabric we offer, all the information is easily accessible on our website. With literally thousands of pages we devote a lot of time to answering your questions, comparing products, and offering what you need to keep you feeling better and breathing better.

Allergy bedding is what we do. It is the core of our business, and not only do we know the products, but we actually produce most of them.

Author: Kevin Gilmore

With most of the country firmly in fall's grip, and a large portion of the northeast dealing with a simply awful storm, I hope everyone stays warm, dry and safe. With that being said here's an update on some news and notes here at Achoo.

The response to the changes we've made to our organic cotton allergy covers has been tremendous. We recently switched our sourcing of our organic cotton to a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This has created two big advantages for you. First, we've cut the production time way day, and while you still may get a notice that one of our organic cotton covers is on backorder, 99% ship that same day. Secondly, we've also significantly lowered the price, by as much as 50% on some products.

Not only is keeping up with this demand keeping our seamstresses busy, but with winter quickly approaching they are also very busy fulfilling a large blanket contract for our men and women in the Marine Corp.

On another bedding related note, we realize that our allergy duvet covers are very popular amongst a large portion of allergy and asthma sufferers. It is often an overlooked source of dust mites, but a common complaint we hear about the covers is that they are plain (in color) and lack clips (to keep the comforter in place inside of them). While the clip issues and color is difficult to change without the use of chemical dyes or great expense, we've decided to take a different approach to this. Keep an eye out for a new AchooAllergy brand comforter. Here's a hint, you won't need a separate duvet allergy cover for it.

As the temperatures dip, we always see a big push for our cold weather mask. While most masks retain some heat, this mask has fleece to help create a pocket of warmth around your nose and mouth. As the cold enters, it is warmed and moistened before you breathe it in. This helps those who want to continue outdoor activities and exercise throughout the year but who may suffer from cold weather induced asthma. In addition to the standard black cold weather mask, we've now added navy. So you now have a choice in terms of color of your cold weather mask.

Lastly, we've been looking through and testing a variety of mattresses, so look for these to possibly make a reappearance on the site in the near future. Keep those effected by Soupy Sandy in your thoughts and have a safe and fun Halloween tomorrow evening!

Author: Kevin Gilmore

It's not often that we have the opportunity to announce that prices are going down. Too often we get stuck in the position of passing on a message from the manufacturer - raw materials cost more, fuel costs more, so now the products are going to cost more. This, however, is different, so we are very pleased to announce that we have cut the price on all of our Allergy Armor Organic cotton bedding covers!

By bringing production in-house for the majority of our allergy bedding covers, we've dramatically cut costs to be able to offer certified organic cotton allergy bedding at the best prices possible. On average organic mattress covers have dropped by about 25% while the organic pillow covers have dropped in price by as much as 50%. On top of this, we are currently offering an additional 10% off most products, including this bedding. If you were considering organic cotton allergy covers, now is the time to buy.

Allergy Armor Organic Cotton bedding is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS). GOTS is the most widely recognized organic textile certification agency in the world. From farm to finished product, Allergy Armor Organic Cotton bedding is free of fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, dyes, resins, and other compounds that are common in modern textile production. GOTS certification also ensures that laborers are treated fairly and that environmental standards are met. We do this to be able to bring you and all allergy, asthma and MCS sufferers a product that is better for the environment and better for you!

Author: Kevin Gilmore

As allergy and environmental control specialists, we have a variety of checklists and steps, from allergy proofing your bedroom to >easy ways to control indoor humidity, that we recommend to reduce allergens in your home and office. As with any advice, it's really only effective if you follow it. A recent study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology underscores these same points as well as how renters and homeowners differ in how far they go in addressing their indoor environmental issues.

For allergy, asthma and MCS sufferers, the key point in allergen avoidance is changing the conditions in your home that create or foster the allergens. In terms of allergies and asthma, removing carpet in favor of smooth flooring, using allergy bedding, HEPA air purifiers and vacuum cleaners, and controlling humidity with a dehumidifier are all important and fairly easy ways to reduce conditions favorable for dust mites and mold. Of things like this, the only one that really is not easy to accomplish for a renter, vs. a homeowner, is removing the carpet. But if removing carpet is really the only large task on here that separates what a renter vs. homeowner can change indoors, why did 91% of homeowners make recommended changes while only 63% of their renting counterparts followed the same advice?

Perhaps people feel less "vested" in a home they rent as opposed to one they own. Certainly washing your bedding in hot water, to kill dust mites, isn't too much to ask? The study is unclear as to WHY people are less apt to make environmental changes, but when connecting this to housing bubble and falling home ownership rates, it is somewhat alarming that this growing population is less likely to affect their indoor environment as much as they could.

Regardless of whether you own a home or rent, there are a variety of ways you can improve allergies and asthma by making a few changes around your home. First, invest in quality allergy bedding. Once you have it, be sure to wash your standard bedding, regularly and in hot water. You can use a laundry additive or special detergent that denatures protein allergens, but if that is too expensive, simply wash your bedding in hot water.

Second, keep the humidity level in check. You can pick up a very inexpensive hygrometer to check the relative humidity in any room in your home. A room dehumidifier is a simple yet effective way to reduce humidity in your home to levels where dust mites and mold cannot grow (45% or less).

Lastly, use some type of air filter. A HEPA air purifier is the best solution, and they range in price to fit nearly any budget. If that's still too expensive, use a quality furnace filter. A high quality air HVAC filter can make a big difference in the air quality in your home.

Though cost is always a concern when making improvements around the home, the best way to approach the situation is to take a slightly different approach. When you take steps and use products to reduce allergens and humidity in your home, you're not only improving your home but more importantly, improving your health!

Author: Kevin Gilmore

Back in April of this year, we interviewed local allergist Dr. David Redding. Recently he was featured in a couple videos on the Weather Channel. In these, he goes over some in-home tips on how to reduce allergens. From using pillow covers and a high quality HVAC filter to vacuuming your mattress, Dr. Redding highlights areas throughout the home, hidden allergens that can reside in these places and how to reduce or eliminate them.

To read our April interview with Dr. Redding.

For more Weather.com videos.

From now until the end of May, take 10% Off all allergy bedding products. Simply use coupon code "bedding10" at check-out to save!*

From our signature brand, Allergy Armor to organic and memory foam products, all bedding is on sale.

Sleep better and dust mite free with an Allergy Armor or Memory Foam Pillow - both come standard with our premium dust mite barrier fabric - Allergy Armor Ultra. Eliminate the chemicals found in traditional bedding by upgrading to organic cotton sheets or a natural latex mattress. Regardless of your particular bedding need, we have a wide selection, and the best part is, all of it is on sale!

And while you're here, don't forget to check out our On Sale section where you can find great Mother's Day deals on Dyson vacuum cleaners and our Clearance page where open box items offer like-new products at almost half the regular price. Act soon because prices on allergy relief products in these two sections are only while supplies last.

*Bedding sale ends May 31st. Some exclusions may apply.

As February begins, we're excited to announce our Annual White sale! From now until the the end the month, save 15% on ALL bedding.

Save big while making your bedroom allergy and asthma friendly. All items, from our exclusive lines of Allergy Armor bedding to comforters, blankets and everything in between are now on sale.

Allergy bedding and allergy mattress covers are a simple solution to eliminating dust mites and improving your indoor air quality. So whether you just want a new pillow or organic blanket, or you want to stop waking up with puffy eyes, congested or sneezing, save today!