How Do Dust Mite Covers Work

A dust mite cover is a special cover you can put on your mattress, pillows, and blankets. It stops tiny bugs called dust mites and their allergens from getting through. This helps to keep your allergies from acting up. These covers can also be called protectors or encasements.

White dust mite proof mattress and pillow protector set on a bed, displaying packaging that highlights full zippered encasement and allergen protection.

Why Use a Dust Mite Protector?

The Science: What is a Micron? Dust mites and their waste particles are microscopic (around 10 to 20 microns in size). A standard bed sheet has large gaps between the threads. Our dust mite covers use a tight-weave technology with a pore size of less than 5 microns. This creates a physical barrier that allows air to pass through but blocks 100% of mites and allergens.

  1. Dust Mites Die Inside: Any dust mites already present in the mattress, pillow, or duvet will eventually die from starvation, reducing your direct exposure to them and their allergens.
  2. Dust Mites Are Confined to the Surface: Mites on the bedding surface cannot burrow into your mattress, pillow, or duvet, forcing them to remain on the top surface
      • Because the encasements confine dust mites to the top surface of the bedding, they cannot hide deep in the mattress. This means when you wash your sheets, 100% of the surface mites are washed away and killed

     

    Example of How Dust Mite Mattress Encasement Works

    Diagram showing how a dust mite encasement works: mites trapped inside the mattress die of starvation, while surface mites on bedding are killed in a 60°C hot wash.
    1. Dust mites inside the mattress cannot escape because of the mattress encasement and will eventually die from starvation.
    2. Dust mites on the surface of the encasement can only stay on top of the encasement or go inside the bedding
    3. Washing the bedding and cleaning the surface of the encasement will kill all dust mites
    4. Ensure you use a hot 60 degree wash on the bedding and wash the duvet inner and pillow inner once a month if they do not have encasements

       

      How to Effectively Use a Dust Mite Encasement

      1. Encase Every Bedding Item

      • Pillows
      • Mattress 
      • duvet
      • Cushions
      • Bed Base / Divan
        • You don't need this if your bed frame is made of a hard material, like wood or metal.

      2. Secure the Zippers Completely

      • Make sure the encasement is zipped up all the way to prevent mites from getting out. Also, ensure it is fastened securely, so it doesn’t become loose with movement, such as Velcro or Zip Lock. 

      3. Maintain Bedding Cleanliness

      • Wash all bedding on top of the encasements weekly, as they tend to harbour a higher concentration of mites given the limited places available for them to hide.

      4. Routine Encasements Monthly

      • Wash encasements at 60 degrees Celsius or freeze them monthly to eliminate allergen residues (such as faeces and dead dust mites).

        What a Dust Mite Protector should have

        Not all protectors are made equal when picking a protector make sure it has this:

        Critical Features

        • 100% Dust Mite Proof Fabric: Pore size should be 5 microns or less 
        • Dust Mite Proof Zip and Stitching: No gaps in the zip or stitching 
        • Covers all 6 sides: The protector covers all 6 sides of the mattress
        • Independently Tested: see proof of it being tested for pore size and OEKO-TEX

         

        Good To Have Features

        • Made From Eucalyptus Silk: has the most anti dust mite repelling features
        • ActiveSilver: The fabric has silver weaved this reduces bacteria and mite food

        Our protectors have all the critical and good to have features above - we have world wide free fast shipping available:

        Shop Our Dust Mite Protectors Here

        Anti-dust mite bedding set with white zip duvet cover, fitted sheet, pillowcases, and green zip mattress, duvet, and pillow encasements for complete allergy protection

         

        Common Dust Mite Encasement Questions

        Question: What is the difference between a Protector, Encasement, and Case?

        Answer: They are essentially the same; different regions use different terms. The names commonly used include:

        • Dust Mite Encasement
        • Dust Mite Protector
        • Anti Dust Mite Case

         

        Question: How do I know the encasement is dust mite-proof?

        Answer: Check the product description to ensure it specifies protection against dust mites, specifically mentioning both the fabric and the zipper. If either component is not dust mite-proof, the encasement won't be effective. Look for a pore test certificate from an independent laboratory 

         

        Question: How often should I clean my protector?

        Answer: We recommend cleaning your encasement once a month. However, if you're experiencing an allergy flare-up, it's advisable to do so more frequently.

         

        Question: Do protectors affect my sleep?

        Answer: An encasement can negatively impact your sleep if it isn't breathable, as this may cause discomfort and excess heat during the night. It's important to select a breathable encasement, such as those made from eucalyptus silk, to ensure a comfortable night's sleep.