Best Hypoallergenic Mattress for Allergies
No matter what time of year your allergies flare up, you may be wondering what is the best type of mattress for you. A solid natural material or foam is typically best suited because of its density which can prevent dust mites from harboring in the body of the mattress itself. If not protected properly, on average a mattress will double in weight over 10 years due to dust, dead dust mites, and sweat. Just one word for that: Yuck!
Innerspring mattresses contain more open space inside and the dust mites could build up more there. Certain natural and higher quality fabrics can help considerably to maintain a clean and allergen-free surface for healthy hygienic sleep. Using a mattress protector and washing your bedding regularly can also be a huge help to defeat dust mites and bacteria in your mattress, a common cause of allergies. Below you will find the breakdown of types of mattresses, materials used, and extra technology Mattress World Northwest offers to help ease your allergies at night.
Types of Hypoallergenic Mattresses
Mattresses that are the most beneficial for relieving nasal allergies and asthma would include either natural material like latex rubber or even a specialty infused memory foam. It is important that the mattress is wrapped in a cover made with natural or hypoallergenic fibers like our Aireloom or Posh + Lavish Mattress. A mattress of solid construction will likely give you better allergy relief over time because there are no springs that leave space. An innerspring mattress leaves the base more “open” and susceptible to allergens harboring inside.Natural Mattresses for Allergies
Natural latex is hypoallergenic and has been proven over many years of research to be resistant to dust mites and also has no off-gassing for those who are sensitive to odors. Natural latex mattresses and pillows also have anti-mold and mildew properties due to the material itself being resistant to retaining moisture, like our sweat. Latex rubber along with high-quality memory foam mattresses are much denser than air-filled foam. These air pockets within low-quality materials allow for dust mites to create a home within that pocket and harbor to feed on moisture, dead skin cells, and pet dander.A high-density foam or latex mattress is ideal for allergy sufferers because there is a lower likelihood of dust mites and bacteria living within the mattress.The mites are less attracted to your mattress because essentially there is no longer “food” or the right environment for them to thrive in. This will help to solve some of your symptoms, so you can enjoy clear and quality sleep without the stuffed-up sinus pressure. A hypoallergenic Posh + Lavish handmade latex mattresses and pillows are great for people who suffer from allergies or health issues. And for those who feel the need for a little extra support, we also carry mattresses by Aireloom and Englander that include individual springs with a natural latex layer on top.
High-Density Memory Foam
Memory Foam mattresses and pillows that use higher grade foam are great for you if you have allergies. High-density foam is an incredibly compact material in which there are fewer places for microbes and allergens, including dust mites, to penetrate. If you do have any kind of allergies, please proceed with caution when it comes to selecting the right memory foam mattress for you. If Mattress World Northwest were to name the pros and cons of foam-based mattresses then off-gassing would be the biggest potential con to foam mattresses for allergy sufferers. Off-gassing is when the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within a specific material break down and form a gas. This can happen more often at the beginning of a lower quality mattress's lifetime and can sometimes cause irritation or allergies in people who are hypersensitive. Typically higher quality foams that are certified by testing, like the Bed Tech memory foam mattresses, are less likely to have heavy off-gassing and can be a great option for a hypoallergenic mattress. Certi-Pur is a label to look for when selecting any style of mattress. Certi-Pur tests for no or low VOCs, PBDEs, mercury, lead, and formaldehyde. Oeko-Tex and GreenGuard Certifications perform similar tests and more extensive analysis on the finished product as well as each material, fiber, or glue going into the mattress itself, making sure each component used is free of harmful chemicals or emissions. We offer a great selection of mattresses that are endorsed by one or more of these quality certifications. The Posh + Lavish “Fusion” is one of the very few GreenGuard Certified memory foam mattresses. Serta iComfort foam and hybrid mattresses, along with Sealy Hybrid Premium “Silver Chill” are Certi-Pur certified.How Bedding Fibers Affect your Allergies
As important as the material used for the support system of the mattress itself, the cover that the mattress core is wrapped in is just as crucial.This is the closest thing to your skin and body while you are in bed, besides your mattress or pillow protector and sheets of course. Prime examples of premium quality fibers include wool, eucalyptus— also known as Tencel fiber—which is found in our Posh + Lavish and Stearns & Foster mattresses These fibers have a few things in common like their ultra-smooth fiber surface and their moisture-wicking capabilities. Smooth fibers used for mattress protectors, or sheets like our Malouf Bamboo sheets, are less likely to harbor dust mites and dander because there are little to no gaps in the strand of fiber. Dust mites do not like to harbor there because there is usually little to no sweat or bacteria to feed on. Our BedGear 5.0 mattress cover is a great way to add washable protection against allergens to your mattress. You will find a cover made with 100% Tencel fiber on each of our Posh + Lavish latex mattresses. This type of cover will give you the highest level of protection from allergens. Our Sealy Posturepedic+ and Hybrid Premium mattresses come standard with AllergenProtect. This is a built-in cover made with smooth fibers to reduce dust and dust mites. Wool, bamboo, and Tencel will also give you the best benefits for dissipating body heat and sweat which will help control allergens. All of these fibers are designed to naturally provide climate control in the area where you sleep between your sheets. These specialty fibers will keep your body temperature regulated so there is less production of sweat and microbes. This leads to an unsurpassed benefit to defeat allergens like dust mites because the fibers are ultra-smooth and do not harbor bacteria, skin cells, or sweat which is what dust mites need to survive. Not only will Posh + Lavish and Posturepedic mattresses help alleviate your allergy symptoms, but many other brands that we carry contain a Tencel blend such as Aireloom, Stearns & Foster, Beautyrest, Serta iComfort, and Englander mattresses. You can view them all in-store or online here.
Tencel Lyocell
If you suffer from allergies and are looking for new bedding, you may be thinking “What makes fabric allergen resistant?” According to The Allergy Consumer Review, “Fabric must be able to either resist allergens or withstand the frequent washings necessary to remove them.” Tencel Lyocell is a renewable wood pulp fiber extracted from the eucalyptus tree. This is similar to bamboo fiber but the production process is more eco-friendly and “clean” versus cotton. Because these fibers are very smooth and created without chemicals, it is a great source to produce hypoallergenic sheets and bedding for allergy sufferers. As a bonus, both fabrics are breathable, luxurious, and buttery soft to the touch. The slightly silky fibers are great for sensitive skin or for people with eczema. Because Tencel is highly breathable, it will keep you from getting too hot or too cold any time of year which will keep your sleeping surface clean and hygienic. As a considerable bonus, Tencel from eucalyptus is a renewable resource and a strong long-lasting fiber. Bedding products made with this fiber will be resistant to premature wear from frequent washings, making for a great choice of product for people with allergies who prefer to wash their bedding consistently.Minerals for You & Your Mattress
Modernized mattresses use minerals such as copper and silver. They are infused into fabrics, foams, or rubber. These minerals are excellent to assist in canceling bacteria growth, reducing dust mites, and some also provide benefits for better circulation. Mattress World Northwest carries Englander hybrid copper-infused latex mattresses. Copper has been designated for use in mattresses because of its excellent antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, while also conducting heat away from your body while you sleep. This can be great for ultra-sensitive people who are allergy sufferers and would like to stay away from chemical-based antibacterial treatments that are available. Keeping your mattress free of harmful microbes or bacteria can be a key to a clean environment that will keep allergies at bay.Copper has also been known to be anti-inflammatory and can enhance collagen elastin within your system for healthier joints, muscles, and improved circulation.