Everything You Need To Know About Pillows And Allergies

Few things in life are as frustrating as a poor night’s sleep. Typically, these nights are attributed to stress, thermal discomfort, or a partner that is snoring or tossing and turning. However, one of the biggest sleep disruptors is allergies. 

More specifically, the allergies that can manifest in your bedding without you even knowing it. There’s been some comprehensive research done on how bedroom environments make an allergy problem worse. If you’ve been getting spotty sleep, consider whether allergies could be the culprit. Here’s what you need to know. 

How Does a Bedroom Contribute to Allergies? 

If you’ve ever had a cold, then you know how frustrating it can be to sleep while congested. Unfortunately for people with allergies, that’s a common occurrence. The bedroom you sleep in could be contributing to allergy problems, with one of the biggest issues being your bedding. 

Dust mites can accumulate on rugs, carpeting, curtains, mattresses, pillows, and headboards. Essentially any item that’s soft on the surface and traps warmth or moisture can be a convenient home for dust mites and other allergens. Since you spend all night breathing on your pillow, it can be a particularly sketchy spot for allergens. 

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million people in the U.S. experience allergies each year, and allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness. Typical sources of allergies are pollen, dust, dander, dry skin and mold - all of which tend to accumulate on your pillow over time. 

It’s important to note: it’s not about being “clean”. These allergens are microscopic, difficult to remove, and are present in almost every home (even the most hygienic). This is particularly true for those with seasonal allergies, during times of the year where it becomes appealing to leave windows open and get fresh air. 

Once those allergies are triggered, allergic rhinitis (or hay fever) can set in. The reaction - stuffy nose, watery eyes, congestion - can cause sleep disruption, along with fatigue. It’s nearly impossible to sleep well when you are sniffling and sneezing. Even worse, you’re likely to feel tired, sluggish, and grouchy the next day. Over time, this sleeplessness compounds and can really impact your overall physical and mental health. 

Get More Hypoallergenic Sleep 

When was the last time you washed your pillow or got a new one? If you can’t remember, chances are it’s probably time to toss it. You can also make a judgment call based on laying your head on your pillow and assessing physical changes. If you think your eyes feel a little watery or you seem more congested than usual after contact with your pillow, then it’s probably collected some allergens. Remember, even the cleanest homes can have dust mites and other microscopic particles, so it’s important to stay on top of this effort. Here are 5 tips for managing the allergies associated with your pillow. 

1. Fluff pillows each day. This is good for allergens and also helps high-quality pillows keep their shape. Every day when you get out of bed, and before you climb in, pick up each pillow and give it a good fluff and reshape. This will shake particles loose and help to remove them from the bedding, plus you can get pillows into your favorite position for sleeping. 

2. Vacuum your bed and pillow. Punching your pillows every day to loosen dust is a great start, but not enough. It’s a good practice to vacuum the soft materials in your room - not just the carpet but curtains and bedding too. We suggest using a small, portable vacuum for your pillow and bedspread. The last thing you want to do is introduce particles from other parts of your home. You might want to keep a convenient hand-held vacuum in your bedroom and do a quick once over every morning as you make your bed. 

3. Upgrade your feather pillow. Feather pillows are amazing for a variety of reasons, but the truth is that feathers can break down over time. This can result in small particles that can irritate allergies. These particles are likely to affect your nose and throat in a number of ways. If your reaction to feathers seems mild, try getting a hypoallergenic pillow cover. Make sure it has a zipper that can close all the way so the particles aren’t simply escaping to other parts of your bedding. If that doesn’t improve your situation, you may need to invest in some new pillows. You can find options designed especially for allergy sufferers which should help. 

4. Use a pillow protector. Most hypoallergenic pillows have a removable cover that is easy to care for. They are made to be thrown directly into a washing machine. However, it can be just as easy to just buy a cover for your favorite pillow. There is a lot of research that shows that using hypoallergenic mattress covers, pillow covers or blankets is an effective way to reduce your exposure to all kinds of dust mites. 

5. Don’t open windows in your bedroom. This one might not be a surprise to allergy sufferers, though it can be a bummer. You need to be choosy about which windows to open. Few things feel better than a fresh spring breeze, but during allergy season that air is carrying all sorts of particles. Though you’re getting exposed anyway, if you open other windows in your home, keeping them closed in your bedroom will at least limit how many particles are making it directly onto the bedding where you lay your head. 

Lanwood Home is committed to supplying the world's most innovative and sustainable bedding and home furnishings. Visit our website to learn more about what we do.