It’s not fun to think about, but according to previous HuffPost reporting, your bed is probably home to millions of allergenic dust mites that feast on your dead skin and can cause runny noses, coughing and other symptoms. We know — gross. While it’s impossible to completely get rid of these microscopic creatures, there is a way to protect your bed and reduce allergy symptoms: mattress and pillow protectors.
Experts named allergy bed covers as one of the ways you can get rid of dust mites in that previous HuffPost story. Our editors’ pick are these mattress and pillow covers by Four Seasons Essentials, which have earned 10,000 and 9,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, respectively.
Hypoallergenic and zippered to completely cover your mattress and pillows on all sides, the covers create an impenetrable (but still breathable) barrier between your bed and you, so no dust mites can get through and you can sleep without worrying about allergic reactions from the bugs.
And according to shoppers, these do the trick: “I have allergies and before and before making this purchase, I was constantly washing my pillow to eliminate dust and other allergens,” said one reviewer of the pillow protectors. “Now with this soft protective cover I sleep through the night without any nasal stuffiness. Strongly recommend.”
Another reviewer of the mattress protector agrees. “We bought this twin size for our daughter who suffers from allergies. She would wake every morning with goopy eyes,” they wrote. “This mattress protector is great! Nothing gets through. There is a tab over the zipper to ensure air-tightness, and you can even see the air pillowing up under the sheet. Now our daughter wakes with clear eyes. This gets my highest rating!”
Not only are the covers great for allergens, but they have other practical uses too: They’re waterproof, meaning they can protect your bed from spills and accidents, and can also keep out dust and pet dander. The covers are machine-washable too, so they’re easy to clean as needed.
You might be hearing this and imagining a crinkly plastic material that makes tons of noise when you sleep on it, but these are made with polyester and a polyurethane lining that’s stretchable and noiseless. “I was initially worried they might be crinkly because they’re waterproof, but I haven’t noticed any noise at all,” one reviewer wrote about the pillow covers. “In fact, I don’t even notice they’re on my pillow. They feel just as comfortable as a regular cover.”
You can grab the mattress covers in 12 sizes, from twin to split California king, while the pillow covers come in 11 sizes, from standard to body size. (The pillows are sold in packs of two, except for the body size.) Below, check out some more promising reviews for how these covers are convenient, comfortable and — most importantly — stave off allergic reactions to creepy, crawly dust mites in your bed.
“10/10 would recommend this for anyone suffering from dust mite or feather allergies (if you have a down pillow). Not only are these soft and breathable, but they also really blocked the allergens I’m used to dealing with all night. I expected them to be plastic like and awful, but the texture is awesome. I have old down pillows and a severe allergy to dust mites/feathers (just found out about this so don’t judge me). The first night I used these, I honestly forgot they were even there and woke up feeling great for the first time in forever. No drainage all night and didn’t wake up hating my life from allergy symptoms.” — Katherine Hufford
“I did a lot of research and finally decided on these and don’t regret it one bit! We got them in and gave them a wash before using them and we put them on the pillows with no problem. The fit is great. Not too tight, not super loose but enough room that it’s easy enough to get a regular pillow in there.
No plastic rustling sounds, no crazy air bubbles in the case, no hot feeling from the fabric being under my pillowcase. (We slipped our regular pillowcases over these for looks) Overall i’m just thrilled with them. We have allergies and can rest easy knowing dust mites won’t be making their home in our pillows with these on there!” — Mountain Man“I lover everything about this product. It was easy to wash, easy to install and I can already feel the different on my children’s allergies.
My children are allergic to dust mites and every morning they used to get up with a stuffy nose and now that I have covered the beds with this protector, they feel better. They don’t have a stuffy nose anymore. Seeing your kids wake-up feeling great in the morning is a PRICELESS GIFT!!” — Customer“This is well made and was easy to put on the full size mattress. I love that it doesn’t feel like plastic under the sheets. The soft exterior adds breathability. Glad I chose this one.” — Anita J. Lee
“This pillow cover is 5-star quality. Super soft and looks silky. It really protects the pillow, is soft and doesn’t make any noise. You never know it is there, but it extends the life of the pillow, making it a great value for your money. I have reordered it several times.” — Mark W.
See more pillow protectors below, from previous reporting by former HuffPost shopping writer Haley Zovickian:
Probably the best affordable pillow protector on the market
This bestselling two-pack, which has 24,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, is likely the best you’ll find at an affordable price point. Its knitted jersey material is so soft and comfortable that Amazon reviewers report they forget the protectors are even on their pillows.
A TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) coating covers all sides of the pillow protector to ensure they’re completely waterproof, while their double-hemmed stitching and zip-closure seals off allergens and bugs. Plus, they’re available in a range of neutral and bold colors to keep this bedding addition feeling fun and not simply utilitarian.
Grab a two-pack in eight sizes, including options for body pillows and toddler pillows.
A quiet, soft, reviewer-favorite option with 12,000 5-star Amazon ratings
With over 12,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, these waterproof quilted protectors are a tried-and-true option for pillow protector loyalists. They’re impressively durable yet soft, and only get softer with time, according to one reviewer. Their auto-lock zippers ensure they stay secure over your favorite pillows.
Their most important feature? They’re quiet: “They do NOT sound crunchy like the old school plastic covers,” one reviewer writes. As a result, you won’t hear (or feel) the pillow protector while you’re resting your head — a quality so impactful that reviewers’ finicky toddlers sleep well on them, too. Plus, they're machine washable!
An option you can wash on hot
These AllerEase protectors come highly recommended, with a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Amazon. They’re zippered, comfy, offer full-barrier protection and are designed to be extra durable — so durable that you can confidently wash them in hot water.
A highly-rated pack that protects equally well against allergens and bugs
Boasting a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Amazon, this Guardmax option is so effective that everyone from multiple-property owners and folks in bug-infested rentals swear by them. They’ll keep your pillows protected from liquids, allergens and dust, as well as from the worst-case scenario for any tenant or homeowner: bugs and bedbugs.
With locking zippers and soft, wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking fabric, they create a seal over your pillow so nothing will get through to your pillowcase or your skin, with a second high-range laminate lining underneath the primary fabric to make sure that nothing gets through. They’re also designed to wash up easily in washing machines.
A cult-favorite option that's worth the splurge
Coop Sleep Goods' pillow protector has earned rave reviews: Users say it's "beautiful," "thick, fluffy" and "the softest pillow protector ever."
In addition to guarding your pillow from moisture, dust and dirt, the zippered sleeve is designed to feel luxuriously soft and breathable, keeping folks who sweat or drool during sleep comfy and cool. It's Okeo-Tex-certified — meaning it's passed safety tests and been found free of harmful substances — so it's an ideal option for people with sensitive skin. And, since it's machine-washable, the protector requires minimal effort to keep clean.
Grab the protector in five sizes.
A crisp, cooling version with antimicrobial support
With a satin-cotton outer layer and antimicrobial inner layer, this Marlow protector works to minimize night sweats while prolonging the life of your pillow.
It's "well worth the money," writes a reviewer named Ruth M.; "My only regret," according to another, Krystol H., "is that I should have purchased these sooner."
Available in two sizes and multiple pack sizes, the zippered piece is also washer and dryer-friendly!
A hypoallergenic, cotton protector for hot sleepers
This pick — with a 100% cotton outer shell — wicks away moisture while blocking your skin and your pillow from dander, dust, mildew, dust mites, sweat, drool and more. Thin and lightweight with a noiseless waterproof backing, it’s an ideal option for folks who sleep hot and are looking to prevent perspiration from yellowing their pillows. It’s also a great choice for prolonging the life of pricey down pillows: Reviewers love how well this protector keeps feathers from escaping or poking through “like needles” into their skin.
A doctor-designed 2-pack
This “sleep defense” protector was designed by a doctor to provide health-care-quality bedding protection to homes. This option features extra-secure seams, super-soft knit polyester and a thick waterproof layer to ensure no saliva, sweat or other liquids make their way to your pillow or your skin. It’s also carefully designed to still be breathable, so you’ll be able to sleep comfortably and cool.