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Why Allergy Encasements?

Written by Laura - Savvy Rest

If you have house dust mite (HDM) allergy, you might be allergic to the lovely microscopic bugs themselves—their exoskeletons, to be exact.

More likely, though, you’re reacting to a potent enzyme in their droppings. Keeping those droppings (and bug bodies) away from your lungs is the purpose of allergy encasements.

We’re not going to quote the striking story that mattresses can eventually double in weight due to a horrific pile-up of dust mite poop. Yes, the stuff’s in there, and not good for you if you’re allergic...but the weight of it all is a myth that’s been used to add “color” to humdrum stories about allergens.

We’ll stick with the humdrum. For color, let’s just enjoy the glamour shot.

How Allergy Covers Help

If you have dust mite allergy or asthma, in addition to other allergy-proofing measures, it’s important to:

  • seal off your new mattress, foundation or box spring, and pillows—so dust mites can’t get in and set up housekeeping in the first place, OR

  • seal off your old mattress//foundation/box spring/pillows—so existing occupants (and their poop) can’t get out.

 

Your pillows are the most important bedding items to protect, since they’re so close to your face and breathing passages. Dust mites also favor duvets and other cushy coverings.

Effective Encasements

When you shop, whether you choose organic mattress encasements or conventional ones, the most important factor is the size of the openings in the fabric’s weave. This measurement is called pore size, and is measured in microns.

To block mites and their droppings, the fabric’s pore size should be no greater than 10 microns. To block pet dander, look for six microns or less.

Savvy Rest’s organic mattress encasements and pillow allergy covers are made of certified organic cotton woven to a pore size of 4.5 microns.

No dust mite (or pet dander or bed bug) is getting through that!

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