Cold & Flu Map Cold & Flu Relief Advisor Dust Mite Mattress and Pillow Covers for Allergies Each adult person sheds about one and a half grams of skin every day. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that can live in your bedding and carpets and feed on this skin.It does explain why dust mite-proof pillow and mattress covers are your first line of defense against dust allergies! Facts About Dust Mites Dust mites are everywhere -- anywhere there are people or animals, warm temperatures, and high humidity. They like to be indoors, where they can get plenty of food like mold spores and dead skin cells from people and pets. If you are sensitive or allergic to them, you may have: Runny or itchy nose and sneezing Sore throat or hoarse voice Coughing and other breathing problems Skin rash and itching Worsening of your asthma Dust mites settle down in carpet, draperies, stuffed animals, and upholstered furniture. Mattresses, pillows, and soft bedding are favorite hangouts.
Dust mite covers really work. One study found that some kids with asthma need less asthma medicine when they used mattress and pillow covers. Tests of their mattresses showed that dust mites colonies there dwindled. But never decrease your asthma medicine unless instructed by your doctor. You can find dust mite covers for mattresses, pillows, and box springs at mattress and allergy supply stores and in a variety of materials. Plastic or vinyl covers with zippers help seal in allergens so you don't inhale them when sleeping. Plastic or vinyl covers are easier to keep clean than covers made of natural fibers. Many plastic covers have an outer layer of material like nylon to make them more comfortable. If possible, cover your mattress and pillows when they are new. Put duct tape or electrical tape over cover zippers to double-block dust-mites from coming and going. More Ways to Minimize Dust Mites Use a bed with a wooden or metal frame. Wash bedding in hot water.
Cold water does not kill dust mites. Wash sheets and pillowcases at least once a week. Wash comforters and bedspreads every one to two months. Consider using an electric blanket, which can reduce humidity on bed surfaces. Wash and dry stuffed animals often and keep them off beds. Clean mattresses in late winter and early spring. That will kill any dust mites that survived the winter and reduce their numbers in the summer months. Mattress Topper Reviews > Memory Foam Mattress Topper Reviews Based on 38,517 Actual Consumer Experiences THE GOOD: Most popular mattress topper • often highly effective at improving mattress comfort • available in several varieties to suit personal need and preference. THE BAD: Potential for initial odor and heat retention • can be too firm for people under 120 lbs • somewhat difficult to move on / get up off • squishy feel possible • fairly heavy. THE COMPETITION: See how other topper types compare to memory foam in the topper comparison.
Ratings show how the various memory foam topper varieties compare to the average mattress topper. Ratings indicate what tends to be true; ratings for a particular model or individual topper may vary. The table below compares toppers with 89% or better owner satisfaction based on at least 500 consumer experiences. * Memory foam density indicates howFor example, foam with 3.0 lb (or lbs/ft) density means that a cubic foot of this foam weighs three pounds. See the above grid and memory foam density: low vs high to learn more about differences in density. ** Gel-infused memory foam tends to sleep about 25% cooler longer than regular memory foam all other things being equal. *** CertiPUR-US certified foam meets standards for content, emissions, performance and durability. Memory foam is made from polyurethane with additional chemicals to increase density. The foam is made up of millions of spherical shaped, open cells. What makes memory foam unique is its temperature and weight sensitivity.
Memory foam mattress toppers should generally be expected to last about three to four years with regular use – a rate somewhat better than that of the average mattress topper. Memory foam toppers with higher density foam (4 lbs/ft or more) may last somewhat longer than those with lower density foam (3 lbs/ft or less). As the toppers age and wear, they tend to lose their resiliency and support. They may also discolor and tear. Memory foam toppers often have warranty lengths of 2-5 years. Owner experience data suggests that the likelihood of successfully filing a warranty claim is low. Consumers, as a result, should probably not place much emphasis on warranty coverage when shopping. When unpackaged, memory foam can initially give off a gas or odor which can last from hours to weeks. Off gassing is the main complaint by memory foam topper owners as about 18% report the problem. Off gassing can be a small annoyance to some people and unbearable to others. Learn more about memory foam off gassing.
There is often randomness as to whether and how much a memory foam mattress topper will off gas. However, owner experience data suggests that off gassing tends to correlate with topper thickness. * Off gassing lasting more than 24 hours. About 7% of memory foam topper owners – vs about 4% for the average mattress topper – report that their topper sleeps hot or, in other words, fails to disperse body heat resulting in an unnaturally warm sleep surface. Thicker memory foam toppers tend to have more heat-related complaints than thinner varieties. This appears to be due to the fact that the sleeper often sinks further into thicker toppers where there is less air circulation. High density foam toppers may also increase the potential for heat retention. * Heat retention is enough to undermine sleep quality at least some of the time. Gel-infused memory foam tends to sleep about 25% cooler longer than regular memory foam – all other things being equal. Memory foam toppers can often be added to just one side of a bed to, in effect, provide