According to data from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, dust and mite allergies make about 20 million Americans sniffle and sneeze every year. Unfortunately, one of the biggest hoarders of these allergens are your bedsheets, and along with dust mites, our beloved bedsheets also trap dander and mold. For allergy sufferers, switching to hypoallergenic bedding can mean better sleep and more restful nights. Check out these hypoallergenic sleeping alternatives that will help to minimize allergy attacks when sleeping.
Dump Your Down
Down comforters, duvets, and pillows are like paradise for dust mites, dander, and mold. Non-porous down alternatives made of microfiber or nylon are a much better option because they block allergens from sinking into your bedding and making a permanent home there. Another reason to consider switching from down to down alternatives is that keeping your bedding allergen-free requires frequent washing, and if not dried properly, mold can build up in wet down feathers.
Come Back to Cotton
Classic cotton sheets breathe, and by doing so, they release allergen harboring moisture and keep your bed allergen-free. Of course, you can have your pick when it comes to choosing the type of cotton sheets you are best suited for, so make sure to select the kind that makes you the most comfortable. If you decide to not ditch your down comforter, duvet, or pillows, cotton case coverings could be an alternative to consider.
Switch to Silk
The comforts of silk sheets are not only about luxury. This type of fabric is actually one of the best bedding materials on the market that fends off allergens and soothes sensitive skin. In addition, the natural qualities of silk fibers that are spun by silkworms work to keep predators at bay, and your silk sheets will organically do the same for you.
Buddy Up with Bamboo
Bamboo is gradually becoming a more common fiber used in clothing and bedding. It’s a more environmentally friendly than other fibers because the bamboo plant grows quickly and doesn’t require fertilizer and pesticide. Bamboo is naturally heat and moisture wicking, so it’s great to have bamboo sheets in the summer. It’s claimed that bamboo is naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. The main drawback of bamboo is that it’s currently pricier than other alternatives.
Make Your Bed Memory Foam
As much as so many of us fall in love with pillow-top, coil, and spring mattresses, these types of bedding are ranked among the worst for harboring allergens. Latex or memory foam mattresses are a great option because bacteria cannot grow on these types of surfaces, and the material is naturally allergy-resistant.
Don’t Forget About Your Detergents
Changing your bedding will help tremendously in making your bedroom allergen-free, but don’t forget about auditing your detergents while you update your bedding. Detergents with irritants can also cause nose and skin irritation, and using fabric soap and softeners made for sensitive skin will help you remain itch and sneeze-free when you sleep.
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Abigail Baker is a writer from Happy Writers, Co. in partnership with Linoto Italian linens.
