SAY GOODBYE TO ALLERGIES WITH ALLERGY FREE BEDDING

The right bedding choice is what you really need if you want to reduce the suffering from your allergic reactions and improve your health. With a few considerations, you can find the best protection for your family. We’ll help you sort through the terminology to discover what you really need to know about keeping allergy free in the bedroom.

Dust and dander cause allergic reactions in the bedroom

Most people think that it is the fabric or fill of the bedding that is causing allergic reactions for the sleeper. Normally that is not the reason. What happens is the allergies are triggered by the pollen, pet dander and dust mites that accumulate in bedding over time.

Dust mites are the most common asthma trigger in the world and the bedroom is the primary source for dust mites. -- Russell Faust, PhD, MD

There is a difference between Allergy free bedding and Hypoallergenic bedding

There is an important distinction between these two names. ‘Hypoallergenic’ and ‘allergy free’ both refer to the state of the product when it is brand new.

Hypoallergenic actually means less-allergenic relative to others. And, there are no government standards for labeling products as hypoallergenic.

Our Supplier at Pacific Coast didn’t think that was good enough. With their strict purity standards, they are able to offer an Allergy-Free Warranty to assure you, our customer, that all of the allergens have been removed from their products.

Get additional protection from allergens by using Allergy Free bedding

Allergy protection refers to its ability to keep out allergens as the bedding is used. If you are an allergy sufferer, allergy free bedding is a great first step to reduce symptoms. However, it’s also important to have the continued defense of allergy protection bedding. The term ‘allergy protection’ refers to materials that keep out allergens once you start using the product. This type of bedding can keep the dust, dander and mites out of pillows, comforters and mattresses.

Outfitting your rooms to keep them allergen free

When reducing allergens in the bedroom, start with allergy protection pillows since they tend to gather dander from your scalp and hold dust. Make sure to look for a natural barrier mechanism that is lab tested to industry standards. Our supplier, Pacific Coast® AllerRest® bedding uses an allergen barrier in the form of tightly woven – yet breathable – all cotton fabric, as opposed to the pesticide treatments or synthetic waterproofing that some other companies use.

Next, use a mattress cover that encases the entire mattress. This will provide better protection than a mattress pad because dust, dander and mites can get around a mattress pad. If you have a feather bed, cover that with an allergy protection cover. And lastly, an allergen barrier comforter on top.

Allergy protection bedding for kids

Since many children have severe allergies, it’s important to start with hypoallergenic bedding at a minimum. For a complete safeguard, use allergy protection pillows and comforter as well, to help keep dust mites out of their bed.

Pro Tip:

Allergy proofing your child’s bedroom should also include keeping their stuffed animals clean. The Mayo Clinic recommends to buy washable toys, wash them regularly in hot water, and keep them off the bed.

Allergy protection bedding is an essential tool in the ongoing battle against dust mites in the bedroom. While dust mites are a fact of life, using bedding with allergen barrier fabric and washing the bedding regularly will help to keep dust mites to a minimum, particularly in warm and humid weather. Fortunately, one of the many benefits of down and feather bedding is that it can be washed with great success, even in hot water.

All your allergy symptoms can be resolved with the Allergy Free Bedding at:

                               SleepAllergyFree.com

CARING FOR YOUR FEATHER BED

Feather beds have been a part of bedrooms since the 14th century. They were originally only something the very wealthy could afford but by the 1800’s, they were a common way to make traditional mattresses more comfortable, very comfortable in fact! They were valuable possessions, often given as dowries or passed down through families. Feather beds were bigger than what we use today; they were firmly packed and weighed 50 - 90 lbs. Until the invention of baffle boxes, the featherbed was a large bag which required daily fluffing to keep the feathers distributed. Fortunately, feather beds today take a lot less maintenance but we can learn from older housekeeping methods because airflow is the key to a long life for your feather bed.

Shake it regularly

When you first get your new feather bed, it will fluff up for some time after being compressed for shipping. Gently shake your new feather bed and air it out to help it fluff up. The more you fluff, flip and rotate your feather bed, the better it will feel. When you change your sheets, just grab a corner and shake the feather bed like the old parachute in gym class. However, it’s more fun if you can recruit someone to shake the other side at the same time!

Keeping your feather bed clean and protected

Since feather beds are too big even for most commercial laundry machines, it can be hard to wash them and it often costs less to buy a new one. Treat it like an extension of your mattress and prevent damage from spills and stains by using a feather bed protector or mattress pad.

Cleaning spills and spots

Minor spills or soiling of the feather bed itself should be spot cleaned by moving the feathers away from the area and cleaning the fabric. If more extensive cleaning is required, consult a professional dry cleaner for laundering (not dry-cleaning). It may take some searching to find a cleaner that can handle the volume of a feather bed.

If your feather bed becomes wet or damp, be sure to dry it completely. Shaking it regularly while drying will help to get the feathers fully dried. Any clumps, lumps or a smell of feathers indicates dampness.

A feather bed is a great way to add luxury to your night’s rest or renew an older mattress. A regular fluffing will ensure years of comfort to come.

Check out our Feather Beds at:

                            SleepAllergyFree.com

WHY YOU SHOULD USE PILLOW COVERS

Pillow covers are easy to remove and wash; they help to conveniently guard against allergens and extend the life of your down and feather pillows by keeping them cleaner.

We provide our customers with a wide range of zippered pillow covers, also called protectors. Since there are so many different terms, let us try to explain — moving from the inside of your pillow to the outside:

• Pillow covers, or protectors, are used to protect pillows from dust mites and stains. They usually have a zippered closure.
• The pillow case is what you sleep on. It is placed over the pillow cover. Pillow cases, commonly part of your sheet set, are designed as a functional and decorative covering.
• Shams are the decorative cover usually with trim or a flange. It’s placed as the outermost layer of your pillow and usually used on pillows that aren’t used for sleeping.

1. Keeps your pillows cleaner

Pillow covers are the first line of defense to keep pillows cleaner for longer. The reality of life is that we shed a little every day. Over time, our pillows get filled with skin cells, dirt, and dander just like our beds do. Using a pillow cover will prevent buildup on the down and feather inside the pillow. This extends the time between pillow washings, saving laundry time.

2. Blocks out allergens

Our allergy pillow covers are made with tightly woven fabric. This fabric keeps dander and dust out of the pillow to prevent allergens from building up in the filling of the pillow. These pillow covers are also hot water washable, which is important since allergists commonly recommend washing linens weekly in 130 degree water.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology tells us "Dust mite allergens are a common trigger of allergy and asthma symptoms. While they can be found throughout the house, these microscopic creatures thrive in warm, humid environments such as bedding, upholstered furniture and carpeting".

3. Fluffier for life

Using both pillow cases and covers creates a double defense against those body fluids that end up on our pillows. The oils and dirt in sweat and saliva can build up to weigh down the pillow and reduce its fluff. While this can happen to any pillow, it can be a bigger factor in down pillows since the down clusters are light and we want them to be fluffy to maintain their performance.

4. Assurance against bed bugs

Bed bugs aren’t a big issue for pillows since they tend to like the creases of the mattress better. For some having a little extra security can be important for those with a bed bug problem as it is common in large cities. Because the pillow covers have zippers, bed bugs will be unable to enter your pillows.

5. Peace of mind while traveling

Pillow covers are an inexpensive way to give you peace of mind and extend the life of your pillows. Whether you choose allergy pillow covers, luxury pillow covers or our basic style, you will sleep knowing that your pillow is staying cleaner and pest-free.

Shop these pillow covers at:

                        SleepAllergyFree.com                                         

KEEPING CLEAN WITH DUST MITE COVERS

Dust mite covers come under many names: anti-allergy covers or protectors, hypoallergenic covers and allergy protection covers, just to name a few. Our suippliers at Pacific Coast®, our AllerRest® line of protectors provides all the benefits you need for reducing allergens like dust mites in the household.

Elements of a good dust mite and allergen protector

The difference between an allergen barrier, which is designed to keep the dust mites out of your bedding, and a regular protector are in the following:

1. Tightly woven fabric – Fabrics that pass these standards are woven very tightly, allowing breathability but not larger particles of dander, dust, and pollen as well as dust mites.

2. Breathable – Pillows, comforters and feather beds need to have a certain level of air permeability to function properly.

3. No pesticides – Covers should be made with 100% cotton, which is soft, durable and a natural material. We do not recommend the practice of using harmful chemicals or pesticides on bedding fabric since the materials are next to your skin.

4. Hot water washable – Allergists recommend washing linens weekly in hot water that is 130 degrees.

Lab testing

Fabrics that claim to be anti-allergy or allergen protective should have 3rd-party lab test results behind them. Pacific Coast uses test method SP304 - Allergen Barrier Test with Airflow by Airmid Healthgroup, Ltd., an INAB accredited lab.

Airmid Healthgroup recommends this test versus the pore size test (the area between yarns in fabric) stating that, “Pore size only loosely correlates with allergen filtration efficacy and there are a number of factors that contribute to this including van der Waals forces and allergen conformation. Fabric analysis data of allergen filtration using the modified dust trap methodology (Allergen Barrier Testing with Airflow) is a key evaluation technique for Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) an international standards and certification body helping consumers and retailers identify bedding for people concerned about allergies, asthma and indoor air quality.”

Pacific Coast AllerRest fabric

Special, extra tightly woven AllerRest® fabric prevents dust mites, dirt and harmful allergens from penetrating into your bedding. This unique chemical and pesticide-free fabric has been lab-tested and proven to be an effective barrier against dust mite transfer. It is woven with 300 thread count, 100% cotton so it's soft to the touch maintaining your ultimate comfort.

Special, extra tightly woven AllerRest® fabric prevents dust mites, dirt and harmful allergens from penetrating into your bedding. This unique chemical and pesticide-free fabric has been lab-tested and proven to be an effective barrier against dust mite transfer. It is woven with 300 thread count, 100% cotton so it's soft to the touch maintaining your ultimate comfort.

All these allergy free covers can be found at:

                                                
                                SleepAllergyFree.com

HOW TO TELL WHEN YOUR PILLOW NEEDS REPLACING

When a pillow wears out, it stops providing the support you need for a restful night’s sleep. Depending on the material quality and type used to fill the pillow, it could need replacing any time between 1 to 10 years, or more. Just like your mattress, it’s important to replace your pillows when they have reached the end of their lives. Here are a few guidelines to help you know when it’s time.

Life expectancy depends on materials and quality

Down and Feather: Since these pillows can be washed regularly (we recommend every 6 months) and the fill is so durable, they easily can last 5-10 years, or more.

Synthetic: A good rule of thumb with synthetic is 1-2 years depending on the quality of materials and usage.

Foam: It’s hard to give a time range for how long a foam pillow will last because this is dependent on the quality of the foam and usage. The foam will get harder over time as a result of both of these factors. It’s a matter of preference as to when it’s too hard.

Down and Feather: Since these pillows can be washed regularly (we recommend every 6 months) and the fill is so durable, they easily can last 5-10 years, or more.

Synthetic: A good rule of thumb with synthetic is 1-2 years depending on the quality of materials and usage.

Foam: It’s hard to give a time range for how long a foam pillow will last because this is dependent on the quality of the foam and usage. The foam will get harder over time as a result of both of these factors. It’s a matter of preference as to when it’s too hard.

When pillows are flat or hard, you’re ready for a new one

Down and Feather: Since down and feather can be washed and dried to rejuvenate and fluff them back up, try this first. If your pillow has lost its ability to fluff up even after washing, it’s time to replace the pillow.

Synthetic: Look for clumps in a down alternative pillow, this is a sign that the loftiness and conformance is breaking down. In a traditional synthetic pillow, flatness or lumpiness will be good indicators. When a synthetic pillow goes flat, it’s time to replace it since the synthetic fibers don’t fluff back up like natural down and feather.

Foam:These pillows will get too hard and lose their ability to conform.

Get the right pillow from our large selection of pillows at:

                           SleepAllergyFree.com

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