Differences Between Mattress Covers and Allergy Mattress Covers

A traditional mattress cover protects and lengthens the lifespan of your mattress by keeping dirt and skin oils that can come through the sheets away from your mattress. The mattress cover is typically an inexpensive item that protects your investment in a mattress, which can be quite expensive.

Traditional mattress covers are composed of cotton, cotton blends or vinyl. People choose vinyl when they want to protect the mattress Allergy Coversfrom moisture. For example, you might choose vinyl for a toddler’s bed. Vinyl is not particularly comfortable to sleep on because of the noise it makes when you move or change positions. It’s also hotter to sleep on than other materials.

An allergy mattress cover provides the same protection for your mattress and also protects you from allergens that can collect in your mattress over time and from anything that is there from the beginning, when the mattress is new. It would be more accurate to call it an “anti-allergy” mattress cover.

These anti-allergy mattress covers are composed of cotton, polyester or a cotton/polyester blend. They are never made from vinyl.

The fibers of the anti-allergy covers are woven very tightly to create a barrier. The loose weave of the traditional cover would not serve as a barrier to protect against common household allergens.

The anti-allergy covers are available in different pore sizes. The term “pore” refers to the amount of space between the fibers in the weave of the fabric. The space is measured in microns. The smaller the pore size, the more allergens the cover can keep out of the air and away from you.

Allergens that are commonly found in mattresses, especially those that have been used for a while, include dust, dust mites, dust mite excretions, molds and animal dander. These items are too large to pass through the pores of the barrier fabric. If you have severe allergies, shop for an allergy mattress cover with the smallest pore size available. A pore size of 8 microns or less will provide the most protection from the common allergens.

The only disadvantage to the smallest pore size is that the cover will usually be made of all polyester. Polyester fibers are very strong and can withstand the tight weave necessary to create the strongest barrier with the smallest pore size. But all polyester mattress covers tend to have a slick feeling that may be uncomfortable.

Cotton/polyester blends are an alternative. The pore size may not be the smallest available but the material feels more like cotton. Cotton/polyester blends are long lasting and generally comfortable to sleep on.

Another alternative is all cotton. Cotton has a soft and cool feeling that many people prefer. The pore size will be larger, because cotton fibers are not as strong as polyester and cannot be woven as tightly. Cotton may not last as long as polyester. So, there are advantages and disadvantages to each material.

There is a process that some manufacturers use to provide an all-cotton, anti-allergy mattress cover with many of the advantages of polyester. The process involves using heat, steam and/or pressure to “shrink” the pore size. Manufacturers who use this process will say that their covers are “sanforized”.

Sanforized cotton covers will retain their pore size through multiple washings. The process of washing and drying degrades cotton fibers causing some fibers to break and generally leaving you with a larger pore size. The sanforizing process also helps to prevent shrinking. So, your cover should continue to fit your mattress as times goes by.

Anti-allergy mattress covers are available in fitted and zip-on styles. Similar to your fitted sheets, the fitted style includes elastic bands that hold the cover in place. The zip-on style covers the entire mattress and is held in place by a zipper. The zip-on style provides more protection but is impractical in some situations.

When you are ready to make up your bed, it is recommended that the only things on top of the anti-allergy mattress cover are your sheets and bedding. Any pads, down or memory foam toppers should go under the anti-allergy cover. Allergens can also collect inside those “add-ons”. If they are on top of the mattress cover, you are not protected from those allergens.

Your sheets and bedding should be washed at least once a week in warm water and dried in your dryer on an appropriate setting. You can use a low heat setting on the dryer to help ensure that your bedding does not shrink. Although you may be bothered a bit by static electricity, you may want to avoid the use of fabric softener dryer sheets. The fragrance and chemicals left on the sheets can also be allergens.

All in all, most people with allergies feel that a good mattress cover is a worthwhile investment. Getting a good night’s sleep is important to your overall health. It’s easier to get a good night’s sleep when your allergies are put to rest.

 

Replace Your Mattress Every 5-7 Years?

From CBS Minnesota

“Doctors at theMinnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center recommend considering a new mattress every seven years or when the mattress begins to affect sleep. Those over 40 years of age might want to buy one every 5-7 years because as we get older, our bodies are more susceptible to pressure.”

WOW!

Looking at the cost of a new mattress now days that would get really expensive. One of the reasons people think they should change out their mattress is because of dust mites. Years ago a study from a university said a mattress could double in weight after 12 years if left unprotected. Hard to believe but I guess it is possible.

If you need to buy a new mattress because it is uncomfortable that is one thing but there is no reason to do it because of dust mites. All you need to do is put a one of the specially made dust mite covers on the mattress and that will solve the problem. Once covered dust mites can’t get into it and those in it can’t get out. Problem solved and it did not cost a bundle.

If you are looking for a high quality mattress covers that will stop dust mites then check out the Allergy Store. They carry a wide selection of covers to fit every budget.

Say Goodbye To Dust Mites With A Portable Steam Cleaner

How to use a portable steam cleaner to kill dust mites is something many allergy sufferers have wondered.  Now it’s easier than ever to find out with a range of products like the Vapamore MR100 Primo portable steam cleaner, available online.  You no longer have to suffer from the scourge of dust mites, you can use steam to fight them.

The biggest misconception about dust mites is that it’s the bugs themselves that cause allergic reactions. It’s actually their waste, which becomes part of the common thick dust covering you see in most homes. In order to avoid allergy symptoms, then, you need to get rid of that waste and the bugs that are creating it.  Kill and clean is what I say.

Since dust mites are so small, they can crawl into tiny crevices and latch onto the fibers of any fabric or upholstery (your bed), making them particularly difficult to eliminate.   That’s why you’ll want to find out more about how to use a portable steam cleaner to kill dust mites.  It’s a proven way to reach them where they live and kill them and their eggs so that the threat is completely eliminated. Granted you can’t get deep into a mattress but you can make a big dent. Mattress covers are really the best thing to use after you clean.

Kill Dust Mites With SteamThere are allergy sprays that can protect various upholstered surfaces from dust mites, but even these can’t eliminate them entirely.  The heat from steam is the only thing that kills them, provided it is above 140 degrees.  Portable steam cleaners like the Vapamore MR100 use steam that is between 210-220 degrees, so they are guaranteed to kill dust mites and bed bugs and their eggs.

Figuring out how to use a portable steam cleaner to kill dust mites is easy.  Just fill up the tank, flip the switch and in just over ten minutes you’ll have enough super heated steam to let you clean for an hour.  Simply run the steamer over any fabric or hard surface using one of several attachments to get into any hard to reach spots and your room will be cleaner than it has been in a long time. Steam also cleans bacteria, mold and viruses.

Because the Vapamore produces steam that contains only 5% water, your surfaces will dry quickly and thoroughly and won’t get ruined.  And better still, there is no need to expose your pets or your family to potentially harmful chemicals.  Steam cleaning is a 100% environmentally friendly cleaning method, the only one of its kind.

Dust mites can work their way into any fabric and make life miserable for you and your family.  If itchy eyes, runny nose and scratchy throat have become a way of life, don’t think you just have to suffer in silence.  Find out how to use a portable steam cleaner to kill dust mites and you can take back your home and you health.

It’s a one-time investment that can lead to a lifetime of improved health and happiness for the entire family.  Consider buying a portable steam cleaner and banishing dust mites for good.  There’s more to steam cleaning than just a sparkling house, it can make a huge difference for your family too!

Dust Mite Spray Keeps The Allergens Away

Dust mite spray is a simple and effective way to combat airborne allergens in your home.  While dust mites tend to accumulate in beds and bedding, they can also be found on just about every fabric surface including carpets, draperies and upholstered furniture.  A protective anti-allergy cover may work for bedding but these other surfaces require different measures.

Allergic reactions are triggered by proteins in dust mites, mold, animal dander and pollen.  When those proteins come in contact with the mucus membranes in your body, they can result in uncomfortable symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, wheezing and coughing.  In most cases, once an allergen has been identified, the obvious response is to try and eliminate it.

Since most allergens are microscopic and numerous, it is almost impossible to remove them entirely.  As a result, they can accumulate, particularly on fabric surfaces.  This is when it becomes necessary to rely on dust mite spray and other allergy fighting products.  It is the best way to render your home allergen free and reduce chronic allergy symptoms.

While allergy covers can be used on mattresses, box springs and pillows to prevent allergens from reaching your body in the first place, the same is not true for other fabric surfaces.  In the case of draperies, carpets and furniture you need to implement a different form of attack that will work effectively without the cost of replacing everything you own.

Dust mite spray, such as Allersearch ADMS is the answer to your allergy problem.  This unique product works by neutralizing the protein in dust mites and other substances that causes allergies.  A quick misting with ADMS will work where even expensive professional cleaning comes up short.  That’s because even the most thorough cleaning will never remove all the potential allergens from a fabric surface.

But ADMS is designed to render surfaces safe in just one application.  It won’t remove the dust mites, but it will prevent them from triggering allergic reaction.  And because it contains a mixture of non-toxic alkalis and acids, it is safe to use on just about any fabric and won’t harm pets or children either.   It’s the quick, easy way to combat allergies with proven results.

Using dust mite spray is not time consuming, a light misting once a month is usually all that’s necessary.  And there’s no need to soak the fabric.  Just lightly coat it and let it dry naturally.  You can vacuum either before use or after the spray dries to complete the process.  That’s literally all there is to it.

When you consider the cost of completely refitting your home with furniture, drapes and carpet, there’s really no reason not to give allergy sprays like ADMS a try.  It’s much cheaper and will allow your whole family to breathe easy.   Don’t let allergens put a crimp in your wallet, try anti-allergy spray and start living allergy free without the added expense!

Dust Mites Can’t Stand Living In Luxury

Dust mites like to live, breed and die in dark damp places. That’s why they choose to live in your mattress and pillows.

Did you know they don’t like to live in silk? Neither did I until today. It seems as thought silk naturally repels dust mites and bed bugs. Dust mites don’t have a clue what they are missing.

Check out this video Bugs Do Not Like Silk

Silk is hypo-allergenic, regulates body heat, strong, cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold and great to snuggle. I’ve slept on silk sheets a time our two and they felt so good against my skin. If your looking for a silk comforter or blanket the Allergy Store now carriers Mulberry West’s line of silk bedding. Great addition to the dust mite covers on your bed.

Check them out…