If you can’t remember the last time you made it through the night without sniffling and sneezing, it’s time to start looking at the bed sheets you’re sleeping on.
People suffering from allergies can have an allergic reaction to the mold and dust mites hiding in their beds. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, dust mites are the most common culprit of allergies from house dust.1 These pesky critters can live in your bedding, living off of dead skin cells and multiplying like crazy.
The best bed sheets for allergies are hypoallergenic sheets, which are designed with special materials that keep mold and dust at bay. Hypoallergenic bed sheets feature tight-weave structures, which help eliminate dust mite access. Organic cotton, wool, and microfiber are all materials that make a good hypoallergenic sheet for fighting against a dust mite allergy.
Keep reading for more information on the best sheets for allergies, and get ready to breathe easier next time you hit the hay.
Top Four Hypoallergenic Bed Sheet Types
Just because you suffer from allergies doesn’t mean you have to suffer from a lack of bedding options.
The sleep industry understands how important it is to make accessible, allergy-friendly sheets for folks who are sensitive to mold and dust mites.
Silk, bamboo, tencel, and cotton are among the most popular hypoallergenic materials. Let’s break down the differences and benefits of each:
1. Silk
This extremely soft material not only fights off allergens, it also soothes sensitive skin. Silk is a solid choice for people with allergies. Because a silkworm spins silk fibers in a cocoon, the silk is naturally designed to keep the worm safe from predators—like dust mites.2 However, silk sheets can be hard to care for and typically are the highest priced hypoallergenic option.
2. Bamboo
Increasingly popular bamboo sheets stay cool and dry with the help of the moisture-wicking bamboo plant fibers. Reducing moisture discourages the growth of mold and the spread of dust mites, plus the sheets are uber durable. Depending on where your bamboo sheets are manufactured, though, they may be made with certain chemicals that belie their eco-friendly label.
3. Tencel
Tencel sheets come from the wood cellulose of eucalyptus trees, which are grown on sustainable farms. The fibers of these sheets, like bamboo sheets, work to wick away moisture, which in turn combats germs, bacteria, and indoor allergens. Tencel sheets are naturally soft and durable, but can be a bit pricey because of the complex process used to produce them. Bamboo and Tencel sheets are highly regarded as the best sheets for hot sleepers.
4. Cotton
Classic organic cotton sheets are breathable, so moisture isn’t trapped and allergens cannot thrive. Because cotton is such a popular material, there are a variety of cotton types that will affect your bed sheet quality. Short-staple cotton is not as smooth or durable as long-staple or extra-long staple cotton, so be sure to check your label before purchasing.
What to Look for In Hypoallergenic Sheets
When shopping for hypoallergenic sheets, you want to find a balance between comfort and protection from allergens. The right bedding can make all the difference in how well you sleep—and how healthy your sleeping environment is. Let’s break down the key factors to consider when searching for the best hypoallergenic sheets for you.
Material
The foundation of any great hypoallergenic sheet lies in its material. Organic cotton, silk, bamboo, and Tencel are top contenders when it comes to keeping allergens like dust mites and mold at bay. Each has its unique qualities—cotton is breathable, silk soothes sensitive skin, bamboo wicks away moisture, and Tencel is both sustainable and naturally resistant to germs and bacteria. Opting for a natural material helps reduce allergens in your sleep space while still keeping you cozy.
Thread Count and Weave
When it comes to hypoallergenic sheets, thread count and weave are essential factors to consider. A tighter weave creates a barrier that helps block allergens like dust mites and mold from settling into your bedding. Here’s a breakdown of recommended thread counts for cotton, bamboo, and silk sheets:
- Cotton: For cotton sheets, a thread count between 200-400 offers a great balance of softness, breathability, and allergen resistance. This range provides a tight enough weave to prevent dust mites from burrowing in while still allowing airflow to keep you cool and comfortable.
- Egyptian Cotton: Known for its luxurious feel and longer fibers, Egyptian cotton sheets range from 300-800 thread count. Higher thread counts provide a denser barrier to allergens, but anything over 800 may compromise breathability.
- Bamboo: Bamboo sheets are highly breathable and moisture-wicking, which makes them excellent for allergy sufferers. A thread count of 300-500 is ideal for bamboo sheets, offering a soft feel and sufficient tightness to reduce allergen buildup.
- Silk: Silk sheets are measured by weight rather than traditional thread count, with the ideal range being 17-22 momme. Silk naturally repels dust mites and other allergens, and this momme range ensures a durable, luxurious feel while maintaining its hypoallergenic properties.
Breathability
Breathability isn’t just a comfort feature; it’s also critical for keeping allergens at bay. Sheets that promote airflow prevent moisture from building up—a key factor in reducing mold and dust mites. Look for materials like cotton or Tencel, which are known for their breathability. If you tend to sleep hot, a material like bamboo, which has moisture-wicking properties, can help regulate your temperature while keeping allergens at bay. Check out our blog for more tips on how to stay cool at night.
Washability
A good rule of thumb for hypoallergenic sheets is that they should be easy to wash and maintain. Frequent washing—about once a week3—is essential for keeping your bedding free of allergens. Make sure the sheets you choose can withstand regular cleaning without losing their softness or durability. Organic cotton, bamboo, and Tencel are all materials that hold up well after repeated washes. Learn more about how often you should wash your sheets in our blog.
Certifications
Certifications are a good indicator that your sheets are genuinely hypoallergenic and safe. Look for labels like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic cotton or OEKO-TEX certification, which ensures that your sheets are free from harmful chemicals. These certifications offer peace of mind that your bedding is both healthy for you and environmentally friendly.
How to Fight Off Bedroom Allergens
Once you’ve invested in some solid hypoallergenic sheets, you’ll want to make certain that any allergens trying to creep into your dreams are headed off at the pass.
The most important thing you can do is to make sure you wash and change your sheets regularly. In addition to breathable, tightly woven sheets, you may want to explore the following tips and tricks to keep allergies out of your sleep space:
- Use a dehumidifier
- Use an air filter
- Shower before going to bed
- Use zippered hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers
- Invest in a memory foam or hybrid mattress to combat allergens
- Replace pillows regularly
Creating a calm and clean sleep environment can help you keep your bedroom allergies at bay, which will let you drift off into the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
Sleep Soundly with Casper
Allergies don’t only exist in pollen-heavy spring sidewalks and tree nuts. Indoor allergens can negatively affect people with sensitivities, especially in the bedroom.
If you are experiencing allergy symptoms every time you hit the hay, you may want to check out the label on your sheets. Silk, bamboo, tencel, and cotton hypoallergenic bedding is tightly woven and breathable, preventing moisture and eliminating mold and dust mites from your most sacred space.
At Casper, we care about your allergies. That’s why we make top-of-the-line memory foam and hybrid mattresses that are designed to combat allergies with densely made materials and cooling properties. And we carry percale and sateen sheets that are both made of cotton and perfect for those who have allergies. Not sure which to go with? Check out our comparison guide on percale vs sateen sheets.
Ready to say goodbye to dust mites? Check out Casper’s collection of comfortable bed sheets today.
Sources :
- Health.com. The Best Anti-Allergy Bedding. health.com/allergy/the-best-anti-allergy-bedding
- Real Simple. Best Hypoallergenic Bedding. realsimple.com/home-organizing/hypoallergenic-bedding-pillows-for-allergies-amazon
- Sleep Foundation. Tencel vs. Cotton Sheets. sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/tencel-vs-cotton-sheets
- American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Dust Allergy. https://acaai.org/allergies/types/dust-allergy
- Allergy and Asthma Care. Silk Is A Great Hypoallergenic Cloth. http://aacallergy.com/allergist-willow-grove-pa-tips/silk-great-hypoallergenic-cloth/
- Sleep Foundation. How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/how-often-should-you-wash-your-sheets
