Are you tired of waking up congested, sneezing and wheezing thanks to allergen-filled bedding? More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies triggered by dust mites, mold, pollen and other irritants that lurk in traditional linens.
The good news is there are amazing options for allergen-free bedding that can help you finally get a peaceful, uninterrupted night’s sleep.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the top 5 allergen-free bed linen brands, what to look for when shopping, common questions about allergen-free bedding, and tips for choosing the best linens to match your allergy needs and budget.
The Top 5 Allergen-Free Bed Linen Brands
When it comes to allergy-friendly bedding, not all linens are created equal. Certain brands stand out for their exceptional materials, rigorous testing procedures, and overall quality.
Here are the top 5 brands for allergen-free bed linens:
1. Allersoft
Allersoft only uses natural, hypoallergenic fabrics in their bedding. They offer sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers made from organic cotton, linen, lyocell and silk.
All of their fabrics are OEKO-TEX certified to be free from over 100 harmful substances. Their linens are also clinically tested to have a 95% dust mite reduction rate.
In terms of pricing, Allersoft lands in the moderate range. A queen sheet set starts at $150.
Pros: Wide range of natural fiber options, OEKO-TEX certification, clinically tested effectiveness
Cons: Moderate prices could be out of budget for some
Best for: Dust mite allergies, chemical sensitivities
Top products: Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set, Silk Pillowcases, Belgian Flax Linen Duvet Cover
2. Puredown
Specializing in down bedding, Puredown uses a patented ultrafine fiber filtration system to produce hypoallergenic down comforters and pillows.
Their products undergo extensive wash testing and 3rd party lab verification to guarantee the down is purified to remove 100% of allergens, dust and dander.
As premium down bedding, Puredown does fall on the pricier side. A queen size comforter starts around $399.
Pros: Ultra-purified hypoallergenic down, extensive allergen removal testing
Cons: One of the more expensive allergen-free brands
Best for: Down allergy sufferers who still want cozy warmth
Top products: Allseason Ultrafine Down Comforter, Hyperclean Down Pillows
3. Dust Mite Covers
This company specializes in dust mite encasements to fully surround your mattress, box spring and pillows as barriers against allergens.
The tightly woven, microfiber material prevents dust mites and their fecal matter from penetrating through to you. Products are guaranteed for 10 years against tears, holes and zipper breaks.
Dust mite covers offer an affordable investment for better sleep. A queen mattress encasement starts at $99.
Pros: Specialized for dust mite protection, affordable pricing
Cons: Limited only to encasement products, not sheets/bedding
Best for: Severe dust mite allergy sufferers
Top products: Cotton Terry Pillow Protectors, Waterproof Mattress Encasements
4. Cozy Earth
Using viscose made from bamboo, Cozy Earth creates ultra soft, temperature regulating linens. Their textiles are naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.
While not specifically marketed for allergies, their materials make their sheets ideal for allergy sufferers. Expect to pay premium prices around $369 for a queen sheet set.
Pros: Luxuriously soft bamboo viscose, moisture wicking, thermoregulating
Cons: One of the pricier allergen-free brands
Best for: People who want lush bedding good for sensitive skin
Top products: Bamboo Sheet Set, Bamboo Comforter
5. PureCare
Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, PureCare uses an antimicrobial silver treatment to inhibit bacteria, mold and fungi growth.
Their sheets, pillowcases and protectors are optimized for allergy and asthma sufferers. Prices range from $80-$150 for a queen sheet set.
Pros: AAFA certified for allergies and asthma, silver antimicrobial technology
Cons: Slightly limited product range focused on bed linens
Best for: Asthma sufferers, mold allergies
Top products: Celliant Percale Sheets, SoftCell Pillow Protectors
As you can see, the top allergen-free brands run the gamut from bedding and linens to specialized dust mite covers and bed protectors. Keep these top names in mind while shopping.
Next, let’s go over what features and certifications to look for when comparing allergen-free bedding…
What to Look for When Choosing Allergen-Free Bed Linens
Finding bedding that actually lives up to its claims of being hypoallergenic can be tricky. Allergy marketing terminology is often just empty hype.
Here are the key factors to research to determine if linens are legitimately allergy-friendly:
Know Your Personal Allergy Triggers
First, reflect on what specific allergens affect you most. Common culprits are:
- Dust mites
- Mold
- Pet dander
- Pollen
- Chemical irritants
Knowing your unique allergy profile helps narrow which bedding features and materials will help you most.
No one product can treat everything. Someone with severe dust mite allergies needs an encasement, while mold-sensitive folks want antimicrobial properties.
Get familiar with your own allergy symptoms and triggers before shopping.
Look for Trusted Allergy Certifications
With endless products all claiming they’re “allergy-free,” which ones can you actually trust?
Look for reputable allergy certifications like:
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) – Products are rigorously tested for allergen reduction and approved for asthma & allergy sufferers
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 – Certifies textiles meet standards for chemical safety and skin-friendly materials
- CRI Green Label Plus – Certifies vacuum cleaners remove allergens and asthma triggers through HEPA filters
Reputable allergy foundations only allow brands to display certifications after extensive testing and verification. These seals give credibility to allergy claims.
Compare Bedding Materials
Pay attention to the materials used to make the sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers. Some naturally deter allergens better than others:
- Cotton: A popular choice, look for long-staple cotton with a tight weave and high thread count around 400-600. Pima, Egyptian and Supima cotton are best.
- Linen: Made from flax plants, linen resists dust mites and is highly breathable for hot sleepers. It has natural antifungal properties.
- Bamboo: Bamboo viscose sheets are thermoregulating, moisture wicking and antimicrobial. They feel silky soft against skin.
- Microfiber: Synthetic microfibers create dense, impermeable fabric. But some sensitive folks may react to the plastics.
- Wool: Natural lanolin makes wool resistant to dust mites. But the soft fibers can irritate sensitive skin.
- Silk: The dense, smooth weave prevents dust mite penetration. But silk retains heat for possibly uncomfortable sleep.
Analyze materials to find your ideal match of cozy and hypoallergenic.
Consider Weave and Thread Count
Along with materials, examine the weave and thread count.
Tighter weaves with higher thread counts can help block allergens. For cotton sheets, look for percale weave with a count around 400-600.
Lower thread counts (200 or under) and sateen weaves can leave more open space for irritants to get through.
Compare Costs and Budgets
Allergy-friendly bedding ranges from budget buys to luxury splurges. Set realistic expectations based on what you can spend.
Dust mite encasements can run $70-$150 for a queen. Allergen-resistant sheets tend to start around $100 per queen set. High-end allergy bedding with certifications can cost upwards of $300-400.
Consider your budget tradeoffs – you may save money buying just hypoallergenic pillowcases instead of a whole sheet set.
Understand Care Requirements
Many allergen-blocking fabrics require specific washing procedures. Be ready to:
- Wash regularly in hot, soapy water
- Rinse and dry thoroughly
- Use fragrance and chemical free detergents
Breezy outdoor drying also helps freshen and air out linens. Pay attention to included care instructions.
Purchase Protectors and Cases Too
For full protection, buy mattress encasements, pillow covers and duvet covers too.
Waterproof mattress and box spring covers prevent dust mites from nesting inside. Pillow protectors add an extra barrier against skin contact with allergens.
Don’t miss these key layers of defense to cover all your bedding bases.
By carefully comparing materials, certifications, costs and care requirements, you can zero in on the ideal allergy bedding for sleeping soundly.
Next, let’s get into the questions many consumers have about buying allergen-free linens…
Frequently Asked Questions About Allergen-Free Bedding
Q: What’s the difference between organic and allergen-free bedding?
While many organic materials like cotton, wool and latex are naturally hypoallergenic, organic certification focuses more on pesticide-free agriculture and sustainability.
Allergen-free means fabrics have gone through additional processes to actively remove irritants and inhibit bacteria/mold growth. Look for allergy-specific product testing and certifications for true allergy protection.
Q: Are natural fibers like cotton always allergen-free?
Not necessarily! Many assume cotton is automatically suitable for allergies, but aspects like weave, origin and processing play a big role.
Look for extra-long staple cotton with a tight percale weave and allergy certifications. Otherwise allergens can still penetrate through low grades of cotton.
Q: What certifications should I look for?
Trustworthy allergy certifications to help you identify suitable bedding include:
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100
- CRI Green Label Plus
These indicate third party testing to verify effectiveness for allergy and asthma relief.
Q: How often should I wash allergen-free linens?
Wash bed sheets at least every two weeks. For severe allergies, every 7-10 days is ideal. Use hot water, fragrance-free soap and dry thoroughly.
Pillows and protectors should be washed every 4-6 months. Mattress covers can be spot cleaned as needed. Follow included care instructions.
Q: Will allergen-free bedding help with dust mite allergies?
Absolutely! Dust mites are one of the most common bedding allergy triggers. Look for fabrics treated to block dust mites like microfiber, or fully enclose mattresses with dust mite covers.
Washing frequently in hot water also helps kill and remove dust mites and proteins that cause allergic reactions.
Q: Are there allergen-free options for children’s bedding?
Yes, many brands make hypoallergenic linens for kids’ rooms. Focus on materials like 100% cotton, microfiber, or bamboo.
Waterproof mattress/pillow protectors also safeguard kids’ beds. Look for child-friendly prints and colors too!
Conclusion
We hope this guide gave you deep insights into finding allergen-blocking bed linens that live up to their claims. By understanding different materials, testing certifications, care instructions and more, you can upgrade your bedding for a slumber sanctuary free of congestion and discomfort.
Here are a few final tips as you shop for allergy-friendly bed linens:
- Prioritize certifications like OEKO-TEX 100 and AAFA to validate allergy protection
- Choose high thread count cotton, linen or bamboo with a tight percale weave
- Encase mattresses and pillows for full barrier protection
- Wash frequently in hot water to kill dust mites
- Set a realistic budget for your needs
…And rest easy knowing your bed is now a haven where you can breathe freely! Have you tried any of these allergen-free brands or materials? Share your experiences finding the perfect hypoallergenic bedding in the comments below!