The Truth About Woollen Bedding and Dust Mites

If you have asthma or suffer from allergies, you may already be aware that sleeping in hypoallergenic bedding can reduce allergic reactions. However, you may have discounted the idea of a wool quilt as you’ve heard that woollen bedding provides a great environment for dust mites. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth; so, let’s dispel this myth once and for all.

Unfortunately, dust mites are a fact of life. Although we can’t see them without a microscope, they do exist in all types of bedding. Contrary to the suggestion implied by their name, dust mites don’t eat dust. Neither do they eat wool. They do, however, love beds. They love the warm and humid conditions created by our hot and sweaty bodies. But they prefer bedding that’s made of feathers, down or synthetic fibres. This means that wool quilts are a much better choice.

Dust mites love warm and humid environments

It’s a well-known fact that dust mites require a warm and humid environment to survive. So, the suggestion that your wool quilt may be home to an extra-large colony of dust mites is unlikely to be true. The natural properties of wool ensure that any moisture that’s released from your body as you sleep is absorbed by the wool fibres and then released into the atmosphere to keep you and your bedding dry and cool. This is not the kind of environment that helps dust mites to thrive.

The idea that dust mites thrive in wool comes from a 1970’s study

A study carried out in the 1970s suggested that dust mites were able to survive and thrive in woollen fibres. However, if we tell you that this study was carried out on a tropical island in temperatures of around 40^oC and humidity not far short of 80%, you can perhaps see why there is a problem. These temperatures and levels of humidity provide an excellent breeding ground for dust mites in any kind of material. It’s not necessarily because they used woollen blankets.

Woollen bedding has fewer dust mites than other types of bedding

As we’ve already said, you’ll find dust mites in all types of bedding. The mites themselves are harmless. It’s the protein they produce that causes the typical allergic reactions such as wheezing, sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and itchy skin. So, while there may be dust mites in your woollen bedding, there won’t be as many as found in bedding made of synthetic fibres, duck or down.

Choose Woollen Bedding for Better Health

Wool quilts not only have fewer dust mites than other types of bedding, but they can absorb harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs are found in a wide range of things from paints, varnishes and glues to cleaning products and cleaning products, and can be problematic for anyone with allergies or asthma. So, there’s another great reason to choose woollen bedding for your home.

Why Choose a Wool Quilt Rather Than a Polyester Quilt?

 

Choosing a new quilt for your bed can sometimes seem a little daunting. There are so many options on the market, and you want to make sure that you choose one that will keep you comfortable as you sleep. Plus, you may also want it to have eco-credentials and be as environmentally friendly as possible.

With that in mind, it’s logical to assume that a wool quilt is a better option than one made of polyester. But just in case you need a little more persuading, here’s the lowdown on the difference between polyester and wool quilts.

What is Polyester?

We all know what wool is – it’s a sheep’s natural coat but what exactly is polyester? Polyester is the universal name given to any textile or fabric that’s made from polyester fibres or yarns that are knitted or woven into a fabric. The fibres are made from a thermoplastic that is developed from a chemical reaction between petroleum, water, and air.

Does Polyester Work Well for Bedding?

One of the big advantages of polyester bedding is that it is relatively lightweight which is a bonus if you prefer a light covering as you sleep. However, it does have some downsides.

·         Polyester is not a breathable fabric – this means that it’s likely to trap moisture and prevent it from escaping into the air. This can lead to an increase in body temperature as you sleep and you may feel damp, clammy, and uncomfortable. On the other hand, as a natural fibre, wool helps to regulate your body temperature and can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture that will keep you cool and comfortable as you sleep.

 

·         Polyester may cause allergic reactions – this may sound strange, but due to its lack of breathability, polyester creates the perfect environment for dust mites and allergens to thrive. Plus, as it’s made from petroleum, it may cause skin irritations. In contrast, wool is naturally hypoallergenic, so it won’t cause skin or breathing problems and, as it releases any absorbed moisture into the air, it deters those dreaded dust mites.

 

·         Polyester can be hard to recycle. Although many companies are now finding ways to recycle polyester and create new fabrics with recycled polyester, some polyesters are still extremely hard to recycle and often end up in landfill. This leads us to our next point – polyester is a non-biodegradable fabric and can take anything from 20 to 200 years to decompose. As you can imagine, as an entirely natural product, wool is both biodegradable and sustainable. As long as we have sheep, we will have wool and if the wool does end up in landfill it will degrade naturally without polluting the environment.

 

·         In some cases, polyester is flammable; however, polyester bedding is likely to be treated with chemicals to make it fireproof. Wool is naturally fire-retardant so is a much safer and healthier choice for your bed.

The Bottom Line

While polyester may be a popular choice for many, it isn’t necessarily the best option if you value your health and the environment. 

How to choose your pillows and quilts if you have allergies

Millions of Australians live with allergies of various descriptions, some with occasional symptoms, some more severe. Sneezing, itchy eyes, eczema, and sinus issues, these are just some of the crippling symptoms of allergies affecting Australians every day. However, one of the key contributing factors can often be overlooked – your quilts and pillows!

That’s right - your quilt and pillows, which you lay to rest with every night, could be wreaking havoc with your allergies.

How do pillows and quilts affect allergies?

Dust mites, sweat, dead skin and other allergens can become trapped within your cushions and pillows, meaning you are wrapping up with such allergens for 6 to 8 hours every single night. Washing pillows and quilts regularly will help to rid your bedding of some of these nasties – but not all. 

If you suffer from allergies, investing in protective anti-allergy bedding could make a significant difference on your quality of sleep, and your quality of life – but there are some things you need to consider:

1.       Know the difference between hypoallergenic and anti-allergy

Some pillows and cushions will be advertised as “hypoallergenic” and others as “anti-allergy” – these are not to be confused as one of the same. 

"Hypoallergenic" means that the pillow or quilt is less likely to cause allergies while an "Anti-allergy" pillow or duvet has been treated specifically to combat the development of dust mites and offer protection against other allergens. 

Therefore, if you want to experience a major difference in your allergy symptoms, an “anti-allergy” quilt or pillow is best choice for you.

2.       Look for a recognised seal of approval

As with any products, there are some that will make claims but be of far less quality than others. Lots of cushions and quilts may be labelled as “aiding allergies” but you can only truly trust in products that carry a seal of approval from a recognised Australian allergy body such as the National Asthma Council Australia, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy or similar. A product that carries such a seal of approval can be trusted to deliver the anti-allergy benefits it promises.

3.       Ensure they still deliver the comfort and warmth you need

Some brands will only carry anti-allergy duvets in certain weights or pillows of a certain firmness – but you don’t have to compromise. You CAN have the best of both worlds – you just need to shop around. You can purchase anti-allergy pillows and quilts to meet whatever level of comfort and warmth you require with wool quilts and pillows your best bet.

4.       Understand the maintenance and care required

Anti-allergy pillows and quilts can be made from various materials and treated in various ways to offer the anti-allergy protection they promise. Because of this, the level of maintenance and care can vary quite a lot from product to product. Some just require regular washing to provide continued protection, a wool quilt largely just requires regularly airing while other materials require specialist cleaning or the use of specialist cleaning materials.

There is no better investment than in the quality of your sleep and the quality of life. If you are an allergy sufferer, purchasing anti-allergy quilts and pillows could prove a small investment that has significant benefits on your life, now and in the long term.

What's the Best Bedding for Allergy Sufferers?

Those that suffer from dust and pollen allergies often have a tough time when it comes to getting quality sleep. If this sounds familiar to you and you’re looking for ways to keep your allergies at bay in the hope of enjoying better sleep, it might be time to invest in a different type of bedding.

The Best Ways to Store Your Seasonal Bedding

Sleeping on and underneath the right type of seasonal bedding allows you to feel and be much more comfortable so you can enjoy better quality sleep when it is time for a rest. 

It is so important to invest in good quality winter bedding with proper insulation abilities to keep you nice and snug when it is cold.  And it is just as important to have cool summer bedding such as a summer quilt if you live in Australia to keep you comfortable yet nice and cool on those hot summer nights.

The only downside to seasonal bedding is that you need to create storage for bedding so you can switch out during season changes without causing a lot of clutter inside your home and closet spaces.  With the right storage solutions for bedding, you can store your beautiful linen with ease so everything can stay in great condition until you need them again.

Here are the best ways to store your bedding when these items are not in use;

Give Everything a Proper Clean

It is better to give everything a proper clean before stashing it in the closet.  You never know when unexpected guests might arrive, and no one likes the idea of dirty blankets in the closet.  A good wash will keep your bedding from getting bad odours and will remove any pieces of dead skin and food pieces that could attract destructive insects.

Choose a Good Spot

The right storage space will keep your bedding safe from insects and pests and will ensure that everything stays dry and damage or odour free.  Keep bedding stored inside the house.  If you don’t have a linen closet, then consider getting a storage ottoman, a bed with hidden storage compartments or install extra cupboards in your pantry.  Don’t store your goods in cardboard because many pests are attracted to these materials.

An Easy Way to Keep Linen Organized

If you hate looking for bits and pieces from your bedding sets, then a good way to keep everything together is by simply stashing everything inside one of your set’s pillowcases.  This keeps items from getting lost and makes it so easy to retrieve the entire set when it is time for a change.

Vacuum Seal If You Can

Vacuum sealing your bedding can save a lot of space, especially if you have comforters and quilts to put away.  This storage method will also keep insects from getting into your fabrics.

These storage tips are excellent whether you are trying to put away big bulky winter blankets or light summer wool quilts in Australia, or indeed anywhere in the world.

With the right storage solution, your beautiful bedding will stay in great shape, and you can enjoy a clutter-free home at all times.