Among many other things, I am extremely allergic to dust mites. We’re talking rip out the carpet in my bedroom level allergies. When you think about it, if you manage to get 8 hours sleep a night, you are spending 1/3 of your life in your bed! If this is the case, and you have a dust mite allergy, it is very important to pay attention to your bedding.
When I found out a dust mite allergy was making my almost uncontrollable asthma even worse, I did not hesitate to do everything I could to help myself feel better. I did a great deal of research when picking out the products I wanted to ensure I had the best bedding to manage my dust mite allergy and asthma.
Here is a complete guide to everything you need to sleep better with a dust mite allergy!
In This Guide
Picking the Best Bedding for Dust Mite Allergy
There are so many things to consider when you are trying to find the best bedding for your dust mite allergy.
The first thing I do when I look for bedding is head over to the website of the Asthma & Allergy Certification Program website, and take a look at what products are currently listed.
I found this certification program by accident after I purchased my first allergy friendly bedding set. Believe it or not, I did have many allergy friendly products already, but this is still my go to source when I'm getting started.
Here are some tips for picking the best bedding for dust mite allergies:
- Read the product information. Does it mention anything about allergies? If so, great! Check to see if it is certified allergy and asthma friendly. If not, this could be OK too!
- Take a good look at the material it is made out of. Are there any other hidden allergens, or fabrics that irritate you. For example, I am also allergic to down, and some allergy friendly products use down. The word "hypoallergenic" is always good to see! You will see many products made from silk, bamboo, and cotton.
- Read product reviews. This is key, because we are going to be washing our sheets on a regular basis, and we want them to wear well. Luckily, I've gone through a lot of sheets and know what to look for!
How to Protect Yourself From Dust Mites in Bed
Dust mites can invade all aspects of your bedding, and how well you can protect yourself depends on a number of things, like your budget.
I have spent a great deal of time and effort trying to figure out the absolute best bedding for dust mite allergies, since mine are so severe.
We can break down our dust mite bedding into a number of categories:
Bare Minumum: dust mite Pillow Protector
Good: dust mite Pillow Protector and Comforter
Better: dust mite Pillow Protector, Comforter, Sheets
Best: dust mite Pillow Protector Comforter, Sheets, and Mattress Protector
As you can see, we can get very involved when it comes to our protecting ourselves from dust mites, but this of course comes with a price tag. The best advice I have is to try and piece your allergy friendly bedding together a little at a time.
Let's take a look at each of these configurations, and see what products can help.
We will look at the hands down best options around, and some more cost effective ones. Unfortunately being free from dust mites comes at a price.
Dust Mite Allergy Bedding - The Bare Minimum
If you have a dust mite allergy, you need allergy friendly pillow protectors at the bare minimum. Think about it - your face is on your pillow the whole night! This is where you spend the most of your time.
Besides using them at home, I always bring pillow covers when I travel, after all, who knows how long that hotel pillow has been around? It is a huge source of dust!
Best Dust Mite Pillow Covers for Allergies
I love this SmartSilk pillow cover because it stays nice and cool in the summer and I'm always hot. I have used these forever, and they wear very very well.
These are my go to pillow covers, they come in two packs.
While I will be sure to show you lots of pictures of these allergy friendly products, they are all pretty much the same - plain white covers. I put a regular pillow case over it so it matches my decor.
Best Dust Mite Allergy Pillow Cover for Allergies - Cheaper Option
The reason I have a more cost effective option on this list is I have gotten burned too many times leaving my nice pillow covers at a hotel! I have these for traveling since if I forget them and leave them behind at the hotel it isn't as big for a deal.
When it comes to Amazon Basics, you can't go wrong. We all know how dedicated Amazon is to their product quality.
A Good Dust Mite Allergy Bedding Setup
If you add a comforter to your allergy setup, you are in better shape. Just think, you are all snuggled up in your comforter while you sleep!
I prefer a single blanket/comforter when it comes to my allergy friendly bedroom setup. Sure, you can add a duvet, but that is just one more thing to collect dust!
Best Blanket for Dust Mite Allergies
Best Cheap Dust Mite Allergy Blanket
This blanket looks so great, I had to pick one up. It is a great cost effective alternative to the SmartSilk blanket for a number of reasons.
First, it comes in many colors, so you will not be tempted to cover it up with a duvet and trap more dust!
It is also made of a down alternative, which is an absolute must for me and many other allergy sufferers.
The only downside I see is possible fading with many washes in the future. I have not had any problems yet, but I have not had it as long as my SoftSilk blanket.
An Even Better Dust Mite Allergy Bedding Configuration
If you add some allergy friendly sheets, you are in an even better state. At this point, everything you touch is friendly to your dust mite allergy!
I would suggest at least two sets, in case you forget to put your bedding in the dryer like I do after you wash it. There's nothing worse than getting ready to go to sleep and finding out your sheets are still wet.
Best Dust Mite Allergy Sheets
You may be expecting me to sing the praises of SmartSilk sheets, which I do, however I prefer darker colored sheets instead of white. Strange, I know.
The only downside is they are a little pricy, which is why I also found some other options.
Best Sheets for Mite Allergy (Cheaper Option)
As we all know, whether or not they are good for dust mite allergies, sheets can get expensive, especially when you get into very high thread count cotton sheets.
These microfiber sheets are extremely soft and cozy, and microfiber is more resistant to dust than cotton is. They are a great choice, cost effective, and come in every color imaginable.
The Best Dust Mite Allergy Bedding Setup
The last source of dust mites in your bedroom is well, your bed! If you add a mattress protector, you are ensuring a couple of things.
First, if there is already dust in your bed, it won't get to you.
Second, if there is dust in your room it won't find its way into your mattress!
Every bed in our house now has a mattress cover. We did this over time, as everyone got new beds, even the kids!
There are different types of mattress protectors. One type fits over your mattress just like a fitted sheet.
The second type has a zipper and completely encloses your mattress. While this provides better coverage, it is more difficult to remove to wash.
Best Dust Mite Allergy Mattress Protector
My favorite fitted sheet style dust mite allergy mattress protector is the SmartSilk mattress protector. It provides great coverage, helps keep me cool, and stands up well to the test of time.
The only downside to this mattress protector is that it is not completely waterproof. It is also not completely encased.
If you are looking for the fully enclosed option, than this option by SafeRest is the way to go. Not only will it protect you from dust, but it is also waterproof.
Best Cheap Dust Mite Allergy Mattress Protector
Once again, AmazonBasics comes to our rescue. You can't beat their foolproof mattress covers which come in both types - fitted or encased.
For the best coverage, AmazonBasics also has the fully encased style of allergy bedding mattress protector.
SmartSilk, the Best Bedding for Dust Mite Allergies
As you can see, I love SmartSilk products. I found them by accident, but they are now my go to for everything allergy bedding related. I have had my products for years and years, and they are still in great shape after many washes.
Be sure to look at the SmartSlik bedding sets to make it even easier to get everything you need!
The Best Hypoallergenic Bedding for Dust Mite Allergy
If you have a dust mite allergy like I do, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get the bedding you can afford since you spend so much time in your bed.
At the bare minimum, a pillow protector will make a big difference. You can also purchase blankets, sheets, and mattress covers to complete your dust mite allergy bedding set.
How do you reduce allergens in bedding?
There are many ways to reduce allergens in bedding. One way is to use a feather-free pillow and duvet set which will not only keep the feathers out of your breathing zone, but also trap them near the surface so they can't escape or get loose within the mattress (which is where dust mites like to hide).
Another option would be to purchase hypoallergenic bedding with microfleece on one side that traps allergens near the surface. Antibacterial microfleece prevents bacteria from growing and keeps you comfortable without having allergies.
If none of these options work for you, consider purchasing an air purifier with a HEPA filter. This will help remove dust particles from the air you are breathing.
Does anti-allergy bedding work?
Anti-allergy bedding can be a game changer for allergy sufferers. It works by creating an environment that is just not hospitable to dust mites. To make the most out of your anti-allergy bedding, make sure to wash it in hot water regularly.
Other Tips for Managing Dust Mite Allergy
I have been allergic to dust for a long time. Excess dust will also make my asthma worse, so I do the best I can to avoid it. Here are some other tips I have discovered along the way when it comes to managing my bedroom.
Change your bedding weekly and wash them on the hottest cycle your washing machine has.
I have owned LG Steam washers and dryers for over ten years! One of the great features of these is their Allergy cycle. I was all of my bedding on my LG's Allergiene Cycle - LG claims this removes 95% of dust and pet dander!
Put on a mattress cover. This is the first thing we do in our house when someone gets a brand new bed - even the kids!
Remember, this keeps the bad guys out!
Get yourself an air cleaner for the rooms you spend the most time in, such as the bedroom and your main living space.
This will keep the dust out of the air in your house.
Hard flooring surfaces like tile, vinyl, and wood are better, since they can't trap dust.
If you do have carpet, make sure you have a good vacuum!
Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional, I'm just allergic to everything.
Last update on 2022-08-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Zoravar Zubair says
This blog have been very informative. But I would like to add that a good mattress also plays a major role in keeping allergies away.