How To Choose The Best Mattress Cover For Allergies
Your bedroom, and more specifically, your bed, is the charging station where you juice up your batteries to face the challenges of the coming day – so having your downtime compromised by an allergy attack is definitely undesirable.
Unfortunately, it is also very likely given that the mattress you sleep on is like a homing beacon for nasty allergens like dust mites, bacteria, and mold and mildew. If you don’t suffer from allergies, then it is only a hygiene concern – but if you’re an allergy sufferer, these tiny critters become a downright nuisance.
Fortunately, there is a rather simple solution to dealing with allergens invading your sleeping space – mattress protectors. This guide will take you through the features you need to look for in order to find the best mattress cover for allergies. I’ve also included choice allergy mattress protector reviews as actual benchmarks of what you should expect in the market.
Table of Specifications
Name |
Materials Used |
Our Ratings |
|---|---|---|
 |
AllerEase Ultimate Protection and Comfort Allergy-Protection Mattress Protector
Polyester with polyethylene film
Protect-A-Bed Luxury Waterproof Mattress Protector
Tencel surface,polyurethane membrane
PureCare Total Encasement Mattress Protector
OmniGuard Advance surface, polyurethane membrane
Luna Premium Mattress Protector
Cotton terry surface, plastic membrane
Malouf Sleep Tite Encase® Omniphase™ Mattress Protector
Tencel, Omniphase plastic membrane
Why Do Bedding Materials Attract Allergens?
You spend roughly a third of your life sleeping – while doing so, you are constantly shedding dead skin tissue. Dust mites thrive on this, and are especially attracted to moist environments. With the amount of sweat your mattress absorbs during the night, that criteria is also fulfilled.
Strictly speaking, the allergic response is a result of dust mite feces (as if they weren’t disgusting enough on their own!). The symptoms include skin rash / eczema, asthma, runny nose / sneezing, and irritated eyes.
It is easy to confuse the rashes / itching caused by dust mite feces with bed bug bites. Bed bugs are another invasive insect that can enter your mattress and multiply rapidly. These critters are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide you produce as you sleep in the night.
What To Look For In Anti-Allergy Mattress Covers?
- Materials
- Micron Size
- Coverage
- Third party certifications
Besides keeping allergens at bay, mattress covers also serve to keep out moisture and prevent stains. Both purposes can be achieved through tightly woven natural and artificial fabrics e.g. cotton, polypropylene, PVC, nylon and so on.
However, depending on your budget and needs, some of these materials will serve you better than the others: unless you’ve got plenty of cash to spend, you’re better of sticking with plastics (or microfiber if you can stretch your resources by just a little bit) – these are very good at keeping tiny allergens at bay, but are noisy and hot during the night.
If you aren’t that budget bound, a cotton fabric top surface with a laminated nylon membrane underneath will offer superior comfort combined with adequate allergen protection. In addition to this, certain manufacturers have developed proprietary artificial fabrics that are costly, but offer superb durability, protection and comfort.
If you want to get more technical – you need to consider the micron size of the fabric used in the protector – the best dust mite mattress protectors will have a micron size of 1 or under (since that is as small as mite allergens can go). Conversely though, the tighter the micron size, the worse the product will be at heat dissipation and wicking away moisture, so your sleep may get impeded.
Ultimately, it’s a compromise between how much protection you want and how tolerant you are to warmth / sweating (the overall climate and air conditioning both play a major role in your decision).
You’ll also need to ask yourself whether you want a six-sided protector or a four-sided one. The six-sided variety will envelop your mattress so that allergens are blocked thoroughly. It is especially recommended if you have a bed bug infestation at hand – these insects rarely lead to allergic attacks, but they do leave behind a trail of itchy rashes that can be just as irritating.
If you go with six-sided protectors, make sure you select products that cover and seal their zippers thoroughly, since this is the weakest point which can give entry to bed bugs. Four-sided protectors are alright if you’re certain that bed bugs won’t be a problem, and you only want protection against dust mites and bacteria / fungi.
If you’re particularly concerned with sleeping healthy, look for protectors with certifications that guarantee them to be low-emission and free of harmful chemicals that could lead to allergic reactions of their own.
One such prestigious cert is the GREENGUARD Certification offered by Underwriters Laboratories. It certifies that the product has low chemical emissions, meaning that it won’t contribute to the degradation of air quality inside your home.
Another such standard is STANDARD ?100 OEKO-Tex®, which rigorously tests against harmful (and banned) chemicals – in fact, even the ones that haven’t been legally regulated yet.
Top Rated Allergy Mattress Protector Reviews
AllerEase Ultimate Protection and Comfort Allergy-Protection Mattress Protector
Key Points
- Material: Polyester with polyethylene film
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: Yes
- Warranty: 10 years
- Extra Features: Anti-microbial, machine washable, soft top fabric, temperature balancing, breathable layer
The very best from AllerEase, a manufacturer known for their allergy preventing bedding gear, this protector is recommended if you want reasonably cool and comfortable protection against mites and bed bugs without stretching your finances.
The six sided protector is completely waterproof, allergen resistant and bed bug proof. An anti-microbial finish ensures that bacteria stemming from moisture accumulation don’t create any bad odors – this is an artificial spray, however, so those averse to chemicals may want to stay away from this purchase.
Even though the composition is primarily plastic, the combination of a soft top fabric with AllerEase’s temperature balancing technology results in a more comfortable and cool sleep experience than is customary with plastics (still not on par with organic materials though).
Some users have had problems fitting the protector onto their slim mattresses, so make sure you thoroughly check that the dimensions of the cover are compatible with your bed. The product comes with a 10 year limited warranty if purchased from within Canada or the US.
Pros
- Reasonable pricing.
- Solid allergy protection features.
- Cool and comfortable in spite of plastic construction.
- 10 year limited warranty.
Cons
- Not as cool / comfy as natural materials.
- May not fit slim profile mattresses.
Recommended For
This protector is recommended if you want reasonably cool and comfortable protection against mites and bed bugs without stretching your finances.
Protect-A-Bed Luxury Waterproof Mattress Protector
Key Points
- Material: Tencel surface,polyurethane membrane
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: No
- Warranty: 10 years
- Extra Features: Nature derived top surface, inherently anti-bacteria
You may want to consider Protect-A-Bed’s Luxury Waterproof mattress cover if you’re particularly sensitive about the temperature of your bed, and want reliable security against allergens minus the usual rise in temperature caused by a typical protector.
With its top composed of Tencel, a derivative of eucalyptus trees, the protector achieves a remarkably soft and cool surface feel that is inherently anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic and moisture wicking. Those who are wary of sleeping on plastic surfaces will also appreciate the organic nature of the material.
The waterproofing / allergen blocking mechanism is Protect-A-Bed’s signature Miracle Membrane – a plastic lining that keeps out both fluids and microscopic allergens such as dust mites. It should be noted that the membrane is far cooler than standard fare plastic products, meaning that it has adequate airflow.
I didn’t come across any major complaints – just a few pertaining to manufacturing flaws that can easily be remedied through the included 10 year warranty. The only real concern is that the organic top layer makes the product a bit pricey.
Pros
- Completely organic top surface.
- Excellent comfort and cooling.
- Strong hypoallergenic, waterproofing, and anti-bacterial capabilities.
- 10 year limited warranty.
Cons
- Pricey.
- A few issues related to manufacturing defects.
Recommended For
You may want to consider Protect-A-Bed’s Luxury Waterproof mattress cover if you’re particularly sensitive about the temperature of your bed, and want reliable security against allergens minus the usual rise in temperature caused by a typical protector.
PureCare Total Encasement Mattress Protector
Key Points
- Material: OmniGuard Advance surface, polyurethane membrane
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: Yes
- Warranty: 10 years
- Extra Features: Anti-microbial, washable on hot setting, OEKO-Tex® rating
The Total Encasement Mattress Protector offers strict security against mites, moisture, microbes and bed bugs, in short, a strong candidate if you’re looking for a 360 degree solution to guard against allergens.
The six sided cover has MiteTight seams working alongside a special zipper to completely block off the aforementioned baddies that can contribute to allergenic reactions. OmniGuard Advance fabric – touted for its thinness and discretion, ensures comfortable sleep by preserving the feel of the underlying mattress.
To counter the growth of bacteria and mold, the protector has been treated with silver chloride – a compound known for its anti-microbial capabilities. You needn’t worry about your health being compromised by any harmful chemical substances though – since PureCare products carry the prestigious OEKO-TEX® rating (which does explain their beefier price tags).
Beyond a few complaints about slight heating (it is plastic based after all), the protector has been well received by consumers in terms of performance and reliability. A 10 year warranty provides coverage against defects in material and craftsmanship.
Pros
- Reliable protection against all major allergens and bed bugs.
- Silver chloride treatment wards off bacteria and fungi.
- Chemically safe, proven by OEKO-TEX® rating.
- Numerous third party endorsements.
- Doesn’t run as hot as most other plastic based covers.
- 10 year limited warranty.
Cons
- Still not as cool as natural products.
- Expensive for a mattress cover.
Recommended For
The Total Encasement Mattress Protector offers strict security against mites, moisture, microbes and bed bugs, in short, a strong candidate if you’re looking for a 360 degree solution to guard against allergens.
Luna Premium Mattress Protector
Key Points
- Material: Cotton terry surface, plastic membrane
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: No
- Warranty: 15 years
- Extra Features: Does not use PVC or phthalates, made in USA
The Luna Premium mattress cover has a particularly thin design that works well for people who don’t want their mattress to feel any different due to an extra layer of plastic.
Besides the slimness, the protector also has its cotton terry top surface going for it in terms of unobtrusiveness – the surface is comfier than regular polyester, and while it does have a plastic membrane underneath, it doesn’t get hot thanks to the Luna Waterproof Airflow Technology that blocks out water and allergens but allows air to flow through.
It should also be noted that in spite of being plastic, the membrane doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals such as PVC or phthalates. The product has garnered favorable reviews from users for its reliability and comfort – just make sure you’re careful when laundering it because the thin membrane won’t be able to handle hot water.
A generous 15 year warranty accompanies the Luna Premium protector.
Pros
- Reliable, unobtrusive protection.
- Comfortable cotton terry top surface.
- Plastic membrane does not use harmful chemicals.
- 15 year limited warranty.
Cons
- May experience broken waterproofing after excessive laundering.
Recommended For
The Luna Premium mattress cover has a particularly thin design that works well for people who don’t want their mattress to feel any different due to an extra layer of plastic.
Malouf Sleep Tite Encase® Omniphase™ Mattress Protector
Key Points
- Material: Tencel, Omniphase plastic membrane
- Waterproof: Yes
- Allergen Proof: Yes
- Bed Bug Proof: Yes
- Warranty: 15 years
- Extra Features: Nature derived top surface, inherently anti-bacterial, phase changing waterproofing
If you believe technological innovation is the solution for dealing with your pest problem without any heating / crinkling concerns, the Encase® Omniphase™ mattress cover from Malouf, with its sophisticated Tencel top surface and phase-changing waterproof membrane, may be worth a shot.
As discussed above, Tencel is a eucalyptus derived fabric that excels in terms of comfort, moisture absorption and countering bacterial growth. Combine that with a lab-certified H2Pro waterproof membrane that is designed to transport heat away from the surface, and you’ve got a product that does its job with none of the usual pitfalls.
Furthermore, the six sided protector has Micro-Tite zipping that’s meant to keep beg bugs and the like from entering and infesting your mattress. User feedback has confirmed the manufacturer’s claim as far as the product’s performance and dependability go; with an above-average 15 year limited warranty being a further indication of their confidence in what they’re selling.
The only real drawback of this cover is the rather excessive pricing, no doubt a result of all the high-end materials used in making it.
Pros
- Solid protection against mites, bed bugs and other allergens.
- Tencel is proven effective against bacteria and moisture, and offers ample comfort.
- Phase changing waterproof membrane reduces heating considerably.
- 15 year limited warranty.
Cons
- Significantly expensive.
- Tencel does not completely conceal plastic feel.
Recommended For
If you believe technological innovation is the solution for dealing with your pest problem without any heating / crinkling concerns, the Encase® Omniphase™ mattress cover from Malouf, with its sophisticated Tencel top surface and phase-changing waterproof membrane, may be worth a shot.
Conclusion
You will have seen by now that there are plenty of options open to you for keeping your bed from becoming a breeding ground for allergens that can make your sleep (and life) miserable.
Truth be told, even the most basic mattress protector will keep the mites out to a reasonable degree, but to choose the best mattress protector for allergies, we’ll take two additional metrics into account i.e. how much it alters the comfort of your bed, and how much heat it retains.
Based on this criteria, my pick for the top spot is the Protect-A-Bed Luxury Waterproof Mattress Protector – its eucalyptus based top surface is coolly comfortable, moisture absorbent, and naturally fights microbial growth – feats that standard plastic simply can’t achieve.
The underlying waterproof membrane does the job of keeping fluids and allergens from reaching your mattress without introducing considerable heating. Throw in a 10 year warranty, and you’ve got a well-rounded solution against allergies that even justifies its somewhat elevated monetary cost.
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Luna Premium Mattress Protector Reviewed