Bedding Tips

Most every aspect of bedding is covered in the following article.

Allergies, Bedding, and Bedrooms

For most of the people with conventional allergies related to bedding, the reactions are often not to the fabrics and stuffings, but to dust mites , dust-mite feces, and/or to scents from laundry products that cling to the fibers. Therefore, some very good advice is to buy linens, sheets, pillows, mattress covers, and pads which you can remove and wash frequently in an unscented or gently scented cleaning product. This means washing sheets, blankets, and pads weekly, and barrier-cloth-protected pillows, comforters, and quilts every three months. The barrier-cloth protectors themselves should be cleaned every few weeks. In addition, you’ll want to replace your pillows yearly.

For dust-mite control, it’s often suggested that bedding be sprayed every six months with tannic acid neutralizing solutions. However, there is the possibility that it may leave visible stains on certain bedding fabrics. A bigger concern, according to some experts, is that tannic acid solutions are ineffective for mattresses, which are far too thick for the sprays to penetrate.

Another approach that has been recommended is to vacuum both mattress sides thoroughly (at least two minutes per side) twice a month. This can work to help reduce dust-mite populations, but it’s obviously time consuming and sometimes difficult to do.

It’s commonly believed that the best approach for bedding-related allergy control is to use a variety of synthetic items, such as vinyl mattress and pillow protectors to seal dust mites out of new bedding and to seal dust mites into old bedding. Yet, it seems that untreated 100%-cotton barrier cloth will work just as effectively. (Note: Barrier cloth uses relatively thick yarns which are very tightly woven together. It was originally developed for use in surgery and medicine.) By opting for this natural-fiber alternative, there will be no outgassing (emitting) of potentially bothersome chemicals, such as vinyl chloride—chemicals which could actually compromise the immune system.

Yet, there are still individuals who want synthetic “allergy bedding,” and it must be admitted that such items can often handle frequent washings. 

Also, it’s important to have a room decorated in such a manner as not to promote dust-mite populations. This means smooth, hard-surfaced floors, furniture, metal blinds or washable curtains, and washable rugs—and you should clean all of them regularly. If you vacuum, use a vacuum that won’t blow the debris it has just picked up back into the room.

You should also keep the relative humidity in your bedroom below 35-4...