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We spend a lot of time sleeping on our pillows. Do we really know what’s inside of them? Hypoallergenic pillow covers can help those of us who have dust mite allergy as well as other indoor allergies like pets. If you’ve been diagnosed with allergies, the bed and more specifically the pillow, is the first place to start.
In my review below, we look at the characteristics of the best allergy pillow protector and I’ll recommend a few products that include both waterproof and breathable options. I’ve experienced allergies most of my life and I’m sharing my insight with you.
I hope this information helps in your search for dust mite protection.
Quick Pick (full reviews see below)
Comfort, Durability, and Warranty: Mission Allergy
Why: Mission Allergy makes breathable microfiber dust mite and allergy proof pillow covers. They have an average pore space of 2 microns so dust mites and other allergens can’t pass through the pillow cover.
They also have a lifetime warranty and make their products in the U.S.! See Mission Allergy link below.
Why Hypoallergenic Pillow Protectors Are Important
For a moment, think about how much time we spend in our bed with our head resting against our pillow. It’s a long time right?
Approximately 1/3 of our life is spent sleeping and during this time we’re constantly breathing against our pillow. Most of us never consider the cleanliness of our pillow or what lives inside it.
In fact, I used the same pillow for 20 years growing up. I washed it every few years but never thought if the pillow could be impacting my health.
It definitely was impacting my health, but I never knew it!
We spend a lot of money on our face. Make-up, anti-wrinkle creams, lotions, chapstick, shampoo, conditioner, hairspray are all ways we take care of our face.
How often do we clean and change our pillow? Rarely.
Scientist found that a 2-year-old pillow can be made up of 10-15% dust mites and their feces. That’s a lot of weight for an insect we can’t even see.
They hide in our pillows, eating our dead skin and dandruff that we shed (don’t worry, they only eat dead stuff and they are too small to bite us). They also love moisture, so if you drool or sweat while sleeping they will congregate where there is moisture.
Why should we be wary of dust mites in our pillows? For one, dust mites are a growing allergic problem in the U.S. and across the world.
They have a protein found in their body and feces that can cause humans all type of problems including:
- Asthma
- Rashes
- Eczema
- Conjunctivitis
- Rhinitis
- Coughing
- Fatigue
For many years I experienced a number of these symptoms. I couldn’t breathe out of my nose, my eyes and mouth were always itchy, I had eczema, and I was always exhausted.
I had no idea I was allergic to dust mites.
The same might be true for you. Because we spend so much time in our beds, and because dust mites love our beds, allergic people should concentrate on improving bed hygiene.
Bed hygiene includes:
- Mattress covers
- Pillow covers
- Duvet covers
- Frequent washing with high heat or essential oils
Types of Allergy Pillow Protectors
Waterproof
Waterproof dust mite pillow covers are an option for you and your family. They are relatively inexpensive and will protect you from dust mite, dog/cat, feather, and pollen allergy.
They will also protect the pillow from sweat and dirt, and keep the pillow looking new.
Although we list waterproof allergy covers in this review, I strongly suggest NOT purchasing a waterproof pillow cover. Waterproof covers will make more noise while sleeping and will cause overheating/sweating because they aren’t breathable.
If you see a product claim “waterproof and breathable” it is likely untrue. They can’t be both.
Breathable
Breathable dust mite pillow covers are made from 100% cotton or microfiber. They are effective against dust mites and other allergens because the fabric is weaved extra tight/fine.
The cotton and microfiber products we mention in this review have incredibly fine fabric up to 2 microns small.
Generally, a fabric with less than 10 microns will be effective against dust mites and their feces. Fabrics with pore space less than 6 microns will also be effective to keep out cat dander.
Breathable pillow covers will make less noise than their plastic waterproof competitors. Breathable covers are considered water resistant because they will keep water out for a short time before it soaks into the fabric.
I mention the best cotton and microfiber pillow protectors below.
Related: Best Dust Mite Proof Mattress Cover
Key Characteristics of the Best Hypoallergenic Pillow Protector
Microns (pore space)
Micron is the measurement of space between the fabric. With waterproof covers there is a plastic liner so the pore space is 0 microns.
This works well for allergens, but can cause other problems like sweating and plastic noise while sleeping.
For dust mite protection, scientists found that pore space under 10 microns would protect from dust mite allergens (read the study here). For cat dander protection the pore space should be less than 6 microns.
Pollen, dog dander, feather, mold are all larger than 6 microns so under 6 microns will provide 100% allergy protection.
Zipper and Cover
You’ll find that dust mite covers use a zipper. The zipper should be of high quality.
The cover can easily slide over a pillow and can be zipped up. The zipper should be in a place where it doesn’t affect sleep.
Breathable
As mentioned earlier, allergy pillow protectors should be breathable. I understand mattress covers being waterproof because of bed-wetters, however, a pillow needs to be breathable and comfortable!
Warranty
In this review, you’ll find that the best allergy companies offer 10 year and lifetime warranties on their product. This is comforting to know and gives confidence that you’re buying a product that works.
Related: Best Dust Mite Proof Duvet Cover
Sizes of Hypoallergenic Pillow Covers
Most dust mite covers offer a similar size selection. These include Standard, Queen, and King pillow covers.
Mission Allergy is the leader in allergy bedding and has the most options. If you go to allergy specialists throughout the U.S. they will recommend two companies for your bed; Mission Allergy and Allersoft.
Mission Allergy also offers a smaller “travel pillow cover”, a “body pillow cover”, and a “euro square pillow cover”. Evolon also has a wide selection of pillow encasings.
The 5 Best Dust Mite Pillow Covers for Allergies
Cotton and Microfiber Dust Mite Pillow Covers
No. 1 Mission Allergy Allergen Proof Pillow Encasing
Mission Allergy is the #1 recommended dust mite pillow encasement (by allergists) and our #1 ranking. I use their pillow cover, so maybe I’m biased but I trust it and I’ve felt the benefits.
I also made the mistake of buying cheap waterproof (plastic) pillow covers in the past. I learned my lesson and finally bought this premium cover after it was recommended to me by my allergist.
I use Mission Allergy pillow covers for allergiesHighlights:
- Average pore size 2 microns
- Blocks all allergens
- Microfiber
- Breathable and silky smooth and lightweight
- Premium brand, recommended by allergists
- Made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
>> check Mission Allergy selection on Amazon
This product has an average pore size of just 2 microns, giving complete allergen protection. It has lasted me 5 years and still works great. I even travel with it.
I like this cover because it is noiseless and soft. The microfiber is soft to the touch and will hold up with washing. It also has a cover flap over the zipper which is great so I don’t feel the zipper at night.
If you read the reviews they are amazing. Customers give it almost perfect reviews. If you have a serious dust mite allergy and want guaranteed protection then buy this cover. I use it, I love it, and I recommend it fully.
No. 2 SleepSafe Pillow Cover with Evolon Technology
SleepSafe offers Evolon technology and we really like the Evolon fabric. Evolon fabric was engineered in Germany and has the tightest pore space on our list at 1 micron. 1 micron means the fabric is 1) breathable and 2) absolutely keeps allergens away.
If you really like your old pillow, just throw this cover on and you will be protected from whatever lives inside the pillow. Or, if you want to protect a new pillow, cover it immediately so it lasts forever.
Highlights:
- Microfiber (breathable)
- Tightest pore space (1 micron)
- Lower price point – for 2 covers
- Soft, noiseless, and can clean with bleach
- Made in USA
- 10 year warranty
>> check Evolon selection on Amazon
There are positives and negatives about the Evolon pillow cover. The positives are the pore space, breathability, and noiseless microfiber.
In addition, this pillow cover comes at a good price for 2 covers. They also offer a wide selection of pillow sizes, similar to the Mission Allergy Company below.
The warranty for this product is 10 years. Consider what is important to you. If the price is more important than a lifetime warranty, then this is the pillow cover for you.
On the other hand, if the warranty and guarantee are more important, purchase the Allersoft or Mission Allergy products because they both have a lifetime warranty!
No. 3 Allersoft Pillow Protector
Allersoft is another U.S. company with a great reputation for allergy bedding. They are one of the top manufacturers of 100% cotton allergy proof bedding.
If you want allergen protection but still want 100% cotton then Allersoft is your choice.
The other two breathable options below are not 100% cotton, however, they are comfy none-the-less. Allersoft uses a strong cotton weave that is 3-4 microns of pore space – enough to keep out all allergens.
They also offer products like the 100% cotton mattress cover and duvet cover.
Highlights:
- 100% cotton
- Breathable
- 3-4 micron average of pore space
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in USA
- Strong side zipper
>> check Allersoft sizes on Amazon
Allersoft offers 3 sizes of covers (standard, queen, and king) which are fewer options than the 2 products below. Similar to the Mission Allergy pillow cover, Allersoft has a lifetime warranty…I love it!
It’s made in the USA so you’re supporting the home team.
This pillow protector is a best seller. It has thousands of reviews and a great feedback. In other words, people are rarely disappointed.
Waterproof Pillow Protectors
No. 4 SureGuard waterproof allergy pillow cover
SureGuard is a solid allergy protection company that also concentrates on moisture protection. This product is similar to its waterproof mattress covers.
The SureGuard pillow covers come in a pack of 2 at a mid-range price point (Evolon above is a better price point for 2). It uses the cotton terry surface and an inner plastic layer to prevent moisture penetration. 
Highlights:
- 100% waterproof
- 10 year warranty
- Bed bug, dust mite, allergen proof
- Free of Vinyl, PVC, and Phthalates
- Variety of sizes (6 different)
>> check SureGuard sizes on Amazon
A few of the negatives with this cover. There will be a little bit of noise due to the inner plastic. It might also get hot. If you want to protect the pillow because you sweat a lot at night then this will help, but it might also make you sweat more.
I like the 10-year warranty and I like the allergen-proof effectiveness. If you want something more comfortable and soft, then check out the section below.
No. 5 Sleep Defense System Hypoallerginic Pillow Cover (waterproof)
The Sleep Defense System is a 2-year warranty pillow protector at an affordable price. It’s aimed at consumers who want a waterproof barrier between their body and pillow.
It will do a nice job at preventing allergies and should help with asthma suffers or other respiratory ailments. 
Highlights:
- Waterproof
- Zippered
- Polyester knit fabric
- Makes a little noise
- Soft outer layer
>> check Sleep Defense sizes on Amazon
This cover is well-reviewed by customers on amazon and has over 1,500 reviews with an excellent average rating. This might be a good option for kids who wet the bed or people wanting to prevent liquids on their pillows.
Sleep Defense isn’t my first choice for allergy protection, however, it might be exactly what you need, at a good price point too.
My Favorite
Because it’s recommended to me by doctors, has a stellar reputation, a lifetime warranty, and personal satisfaction makes me lean to the Mission Allergy cover. Its a top-of-the-line product at a price point that won’t break the bank.
We spend 100’s of dollars every year taking care of our face, so we should also spend a little money to make sure we sleep on a clean, hygienic pillow.
I also like the Evolon cover because of the 2 for 1 price point. Both of these covers will be reliable and comfortable and are made from a similar microfiber material.
How to Wash an Allergy Pillow Cover
Allergy covers, whether it be the pillow, blanket, or mattress should always be covered by a sheet or pillow cover. Doing so will reduce the number of washes need for your dust mite cover.
I usually wash my allergy pillow cover 1x every 2-3 months. I wash my dust mite mattress cover 2-3x per year, and I was my allergy duvet cover 1x every 3 months.
Related: How to wash bedding to kill dust mites
The best way to wash an allergy cover is by using 1 of 2 ways. Either with high water temperatures to kill dust mites and larvae or with regular water temperatures and essential oils. Essential oils have strong, natural aromas that the dust mites can’t handle.
They will be killed along with their larvae. We recommend adding a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your laundry detergent.
It will make your clothes smell nice as well (don’t add essential oil directly on clothes or it may stain).
Conclusion
In this article, we learned the basics of dust mite allergy symptoms, the characteristics of the best dust mite pillow cover and reviewed a few good products to consider. It’s important to note waterproof vs. 100% cotton or microfiber.
Remember to look at pore size to make sure the product protects against dust mites and other allergens.
We hope this article helped your search for dust mite protection. I’ve been dealing with dust mite allergy for a long time and this blog is an effort to share my life experiences with allergy.
If you’d like to read more about my experience check out this post on my experience with allergy shots.
References
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091674999704951