Do Hypoallergenic Pillows Work?
I bought some new hypoallergenic pillows on a recommendation recently. My friend wanted to know if it was just marketing hype, or is there something to it? So I got a set myself to try them out. After a few days and some research, i can answer the question, “Do hypoallergenic pillows work?”
Yes. Hypoallergenic pillows work by having incredibly tiny pore sizes thanks to their increased thread count, making it hard for pests and debris to work their way through the barrier. The tighter the weave, the more readily it will be able to protect against allergens.
There are also covers that you can buy for pillows, mattresses, and duvets, which will help without you having to use a large amount of money purchasing a completely new bedroom set. Ill talk about that a little later.
Do You Need Hypoallergenic Bedding?
A typical human will spend a full third of their life in bed sleeping. Prioritizing your health means using the right bedding. Hypoallergenic pillow are specifically designed to help protect against dust mites, pollen, mold, and other allergies. They have been proven to work and are the first stand against allergies and asthma irritants but used on their own they are not enough to entirely remove the risk of a reaction during the night.
You will need to use hypoallergenic pillows in tandem with more detailed cleaning routines to remove any chance of exposure successfully.
Click here for a fantastic bedding set on Amazon if you want an all-in-one solution.
Whether you suffer from seasonal asthma or seasonal allergies, having the right kind of bedding can make all of the difference between a good and a bad night’s sleep. Pollen, mold, dust, and bed bugs are the most common causes of allergic reactions in bed. You can avoid them by using bed and pillow covers and blankets created specifically to neutralize those pesky allergens. Medical professionals and retailers have been working for decades to provide the best combination of bedding protection.
This article will give a full breakdown of what materials and cleaning routines are best used to help allergy sufferers get a better night’s sleep.
How Do Hypoallergenic Materials Work?
Dust mites and other bed pests live by burrowing into pillows and mattresses to feed off the skin and other detritus that can be found there. These tiny creatures then die, and their remains or byproducts cause allergic reactions and sometimes serious illness. While it is practically impossible to eradicate dust mites from your bedroom, you can make bedding alterations that will make it more difficult for them to infiltrate your mattress, blankets, and pillows.
Hypoallergenic bedding works by having incredibly tiny pore sizes thanks to their increased thread count, making it hard for pests and debris to work their way through the barrier. The tighter the weave, the more readily it will be able to protect against allergens. There are also covers that you can buy for pillows, mattresses, and duvets, which will help without you having to use a large amount of money purchasing a completely new bedroom set.
What are Hypoallergenic Pillows and Bedding Made From?
Cotton is perhaps the most common naturally hypoallergenic material. The pore size of the elements (e.g., filler, cover, etc.) and other characteristics will determine if they can lessen the risk of allergic reactions. When multiple hypoallergenic materials are used together, there is an even higher likelihood of maintaining clear bedding. For example, most pillows designed for allergy sufferers have an interior made up of anti-bacterial memory foam. The outer casing is usually made of cotton, which is naturally hypoallergenic. Latex is also a great option if you have dust allergies because they can be easily machine washed.
Most materials with an exceptionally high thread count will fight against pollen, mold, mites, and bed bugs. You want a fabric with pores that are two to five microns or less in size. Below is a list of common hypoallergenic pillow fillers and materials.
- Synthetic materials with small enough pores
- Latex
- Polyester
- Memory foam
- Organic cotton
- Microfiber
- Silk
- Bamboo
- Microbeads (banned in some countries due to the damage the plastic does to the ecosystem)
- Water pillows (50% water, 50% polyester)
- Gel pillows (30% gel, 70% memory foam is ideal)
What are Some Pillow Fillers to Avoid?
Even if you have the right pillow cover, it is still essential to make sure that your filler will not accommodate any allergens that make it through the fabric. Studies have shown that some natural fabrics and pillow fillers, such as Buckwheat, which were previously thought to be allergy-free options, are the opposite.
Buckwheat was believed for a long time to be a naturally hypoallergenic pillow filler. However, scientific studies have shown that when compared to synthetic materials, Buckwheat holds much more endotoxins (i.e., leftover bits of bacterial cells, causing allergic reactions and even sicknesses like botulism). (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2816881/)
In addition to Buckwheat, there are a few other alleged hypoallergenic fillers to avoid including those listed below.
- Feathers
- Kapok
- Synthetic materials with larger pores
What Other Bedding Should Be Hypoallergenic?
To make sure that your hypoallergenic pillows can do their job correctly, you want to be sure that you will not be subjected to the same allergens from other areas of your bedding. Replacing mattress covers, sheets, duvets, and pillows with hypoallergenic options will go a long way in ensuring that you can enjoy every night and sleep in comfort.
If you only get a hypoallergenic pillow, then the allergens will still be able to congregate in your sheets, mattress, and thick blankets so you will want to completely overhaul your bedding to get the best results either by purchasing new, allergy-proof options or getting covers for the ones you already have. If you buy covers, make sure they have secure zipper areas; otherwise, mites and other bugs will use the weak spot to get through the material.
How Do Cleaning Routines Play a Part in How Well Hypoallergenic Pillows Work?
There are a few alternative steps you can add to your daily routine that can significantly impact how well your hypoallergenic bedding is able to do its job. Making sure you have the correct materials on your bed will help to keep dust mites, bugs, pollen, dust, and other things out of the interior of your mattress and pillows but they will still settle on top which means you need to have a cleaning routine to allergy-proof your home.
If you have a machine-washable pillow, it is best to wash it in hot water at least once every couple of weeks to get rid of any possible buildup of skin cells, mold, or other debris. You will also want to clean your sheets or change them out at least once a week. Mattress covers and duvet covers should be cleaned with the same frequency.
It is recommended that you wash your hair before going to bed during the pollen season for anyone suffering from pollen allergies. Otherwise, you will transfer pollen onto your pillowcase and blankets. To avoid possible mold growth, you want to make sure your hair is either completely dry or in a cap.
It is best for anyone who has pets to keep them out of the bedroom because their dander is food for dust mites and will attract the tiny creatures. The American College of Allergy recommends regular vacuuming using a machine with a HEPA filter as well as a humidity detector and HEPA air filter. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5156485/)
Furniture and decorations can also host dust mites, bed bugs, and mold. For anyone with severe allergies, it might be useful to replace carpets with hardwood flooring and upholstery with finished wood. Curtains should also be replaced with blinds or cleaned regularly. Ideally, the bedroom and central areas of the house would be dusted and wiped down several times a week to assist with removing dust, mites, pollen, and the risk of mold.
What are the Top Brands for Hypoallergenic Pillows?
Now that you know they work, we want to give you a look at what you can expect in terms of price when purchasing a new hypoallergenic pillow.Hopefully, Ive answered the question “Do hypoallergenic pillows work?” by now!
Allergy sufferers have some fantastic options for them to choose from when it comes to top brands for allergy-proof pillows and bedding. There are plenty of retailers and local options if you want to go to a bedding store. Online purchasing is the most convenient way to get the most affordable, cost-effective anti-allergy pillows on the market. Below is a list of top brands and some prices and product features.
This is not a buyer’s guide and is instead meant to give you an idea of what to expect when you go to buy a new pillow. Check them out on Amazon and read the reviews yourself!
WonderSleep
Dream Rite Shredded Hypoallergenic Memory Foam Pillow (Queen Size)
Price: $24.99
Features:
- Comprised of 40% Viscose Rayon, 60% Polyester
- Fill made of shredded memory foam
- Amazon bestseller #20 in Bed Pillows
Customer Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 out of 7,223 ratings
With over 7k positive ratings, you are missing a solid opportunity by not grabbing one yourself. It comes packed in a tube that you will never get it stuffed back into, but why would you? I saw some complaints about a smell it has to it, just wash it and you should be fine. Check out the reviews yourself HERE and grab one yourself!
Aller-Ease
Price: $16.75
Features:
- Comprised of 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton
- Can be washed in hot water
- Includes a Good Housekeeping Seal two-year warranty
Customer Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 stars out of 431 ratings
A two year warranty says the manufactoror is really standing behind their product. Click here for updating pricing or grab one yourself.
Snuggle-Pedic
Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow (Standard Size)
Price: $49.99
Features:
- Bamboo cover over a pillow made of shredded memory foam
- 43% Viscose of Bamboo, 56.4% Polyester, .6% Lycra
- Flame retardant
- Machine washable
- Amazon bestseller #75 in Bed Pillows
Customer Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 stars from 6,272 ratings
Conclusion
Do hypoallergenic pillows work? For allergy sufferers, dust mites, and other minuscule allergens have always been a significant hurdle. However, with modern hypoallergenic materials and technology, it has never been easier to get a good night’s sleep.
Using heavy thread count covers with small pores, you will be able to keep the pests and debris out of your pillow, covers, and mattress.
Comprehensive cleaning will then make sure the surfaces are also kept clean and clear of allergens. Science has shown that this works to allergy-proof your bedroom. Now you know what to look for when buying your next hypoallergenic pillow.
I covered pillows, but what about sheets? Read this article Is it Bad to Sleep Without Sheets?
Happy Sleeping!
