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What does "allergy relief
bedding" mean?
We are really to blame for
the dust mite infestations experienced today. That's right, it is
our fault! As we sleep, we shed millions of dead skin cells which
give the bed bugs an unlimited food source. As they multiply and
release their fecal matter into the mattress, an allergen nightmare
is born. These fecal particles and our own skin cells are what
cause the allergies we experience. The only logical way to separate
us from this dust mite breeding ground is to create some kind of
barrier. Allergy relief bedding is defined as "a fabric with some
kind of barrier" that has been independently tested and proven to
block the allergens. This can be a membrane laminated to the back
of a specific fabric or a sophisticated woven piece of material so
highly engineered that microscopic particles cannot pass through
it. We have all our
product tested and can provide you with those
results.
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Don’t be misled
with covers that are a fitted style! These covers do not
encase the mattress and are a waste of money for people with real
allergy symptoms. Always be sure to ask if the product is zippered
to be sure you are totally protected. Many products like "protectabed" and others
mislead the consumer and do not clearly explain that the covers are
fitted only.
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Don't be confused
by the term "hypoallergenic" or "resists dust mites". These
terms are used loosely and don't guarantee that you are buying a
dust mite proof product. Many products claim to be hypoallergenic.
Be
sure to ask for lab test results or confirmation of the
dust mite barrier efficacy.
What is the difference between a membrane and non membrane cover
and how do they protect us?
 Allergy relief
covers with membranes are defined as fabrics with a vinyl or
urethane based coating on the inside. It would be similar to one
taking their favorite sheet and covering the underside with
Saran-Wrap. Of course this would not be comfortable or practical
but the concept is the same. The benefit of urethane over vinyl is
that there is no noise and or odor (off gas). The membrane has no
color or feel but it is there doing the work. These coatings have
no "pores" or holes for the dust mites to escape. Thus, nothing can
get in or out of your mattress.
 Allergy relief covers
without membranes are defined as fabrics without any coating.
Without some kind of coating, the woven fabric would act like a
sieve. When we are talking about non membrane fabrics we have to
discuss pore size. Pore size is the diameter of the space or hole
between the threads. If the average waste particle of bed bugs is
approximately 9 microns then the pore size must be less then 9.
Typically, any non membrane fabric with a pore size less then 6 or
7 will block all allergens including pet dander. Remember that
thread count has nothing to do with pore size. 1000 count sheets
for example have more threads per square inch but the pore size is
not maintained. Thus, these fabric will do nothing to encase
the allergens.
What do I need to know when
choosing an allergy relief protective cover?
 Which
fabric is really the best? Of course the quality of the fabric and
the efficacy of the barrier are important. Remember, you are
sleeping on this cover every night! You also need to think about
how comfortable each fabric is to sleep on. The characteristics of
each fabric and the cost will help you determine which is best for
you. A quick checklist:
- Always remember to
buy a zippered cover
only. Fitted versions DO
NOT protect you from the mite allergens since the mattress
is not totally encased. If it doesn't say then it is usually
fitted.
- Are you a hot
sleeper? If yes, look at membrane free cover.
- Is waterproof an
advantage for you? Maybe there is an incontinent issue or your
mattress is very expensive and you don’t want to risk spilling
anything on it. If so, consider a membrane fabric since it is also
stain proof and waterproof in addition to allergy proof!
- Do you plan to wash
the covers as often as your basic linens? If so you may want to
consider a fabric with all polyester or more polyester then
cotton.
- Do you want a softer
cover for something like a duvet? Consider the Stretch Knit with
Membrane or Membrane Free Pristine or Cotton.
What are the differences between
the fabric types?
 A membrane is defined in
Webster's as "A thin sheet of
natural or synthetic material that is permeable to substances in
solution." Permeable means moisture can escape. The
breathablilty, however, will not be like the nice sheets on your
bed. These types of covers tend to hold in heat. If you are a
sleeper who tends to sweat at night then this fabric may not be for
you. One key component of the membrane is that it is waterproof.
This is an advantage for bed wetters or incontinence. We have
the Poly Cotton, Cotton
Terry, Polyester Stretch Knit and Tricot Knit all with
membranes. All these fabrics use the exact same membrane and only
the top fabric is what differentiates them. The cost of these
fabrics varies as well as the individual characteristics of
each.
Non Membrane
fabrics are a more advanced technology in allergy relief
bedding. Since there is no membrane separating you from the
allergens, the weave of the fabric must be woven in such a way that
the pore size or space between the threads is less then 6 microns.
This is due to the fact that the smallest allergens have been
tested at 10-15 microns. Our Allersoft TM Cotton
and Pristine
TM both have a pore size of less
then 5<! Because there is no membrane, these fabrics tend to
have longer lifespans since there is no membrane to deteriorate
over time in the wash. Non membrane fabrics are also much cooler to
sleep with and are much less noisy. It is more like putting a thick
sheet on your mattress.
- Many retailers offer different
styles of Pristine and confuse the issue by giving the product a
unique name. There are basically three levels of Pristine fabric
and they can be identified by pore size. If you know the pore
size you can easily know which fabric you are buying. All our
mattress and pillow covers are the best available at 2.8 microns.
The comforter cover fabric is the slightly higher pore size fabric.
This is due to the added texture most consumers want on a comforter
cover fabric since it is on the top of the bed and not under a
sheet
.
- SMS-This non-woven
fabric is in fact membrane free. The question is why is it the
least expensive? These covers are built from 3 layers of man made
material which are bonded together. Unlike cotton or poly cotton
yarn which is made from fibers which must be grown, the material to
produce these SMS covers is readily available in the market
and very inexpensive to produce. Though membrane free, the SMS
covers are much lighter in weight and are best suited for traveling
or dorm rooms. They tend to deteriorate more quickly and can only
be washed on cold and using an air dry cycle.
How do I take care of allergy
relief bedding?
 Allergy relief
bedding does not require any special care or cleaning agents. Other
then vinyl covers which can just be wiped with a damp cloth; all
allergy relief bedding can be washed with warm water and dried on a
low temperature. All the fabrics can withstand temperatures
of up to 250 degrees F at which point you can sterilize the product
if desired.
How should I measure my
mattress so I can get the correct size?
 Standard sizes in the
mattress and box spring industry are how we determine what sizes we
need to make available to you. We manufacture most of our covers in
the 3 typical depths of 9", 12", and 16". There are only two
things you need check:
- Is your mattress a
Twin (39x75), Extra Long Twin (39x80), Full (54x75), Queen (60x80),
King (78x80) or Cal King (72x84)? If you are not sure then just
measure the width and length of your mattress.
- Measure your depth.
It should be either 9-10", 12-13" or 15-16". Always hedge on the larger
size! You can always be 2-3" over on your size since any
excess material can be tucked underneath. Be sure to measure well
since anything more the 3" of fabric will bulge out from under the
mattress and also add to the cost unnecessarily.
Is there a difference in the
warranties?
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