AllerProtect® Hypoallergenic Pillow - Out of stock

AllerProtect Pillows are recommended for dust mite sensitive asthma, eczema and chronic rhinitis sufferers or simply for a healthier night’s sleep.
Pamper yourself with these luxurious down like pillows, specifically developed as a barrier against dust mite allergens.

Encased in a soft touch 100% cotton precision microweave fabric proven to block more than 99% of house dust mite allergen
Encases hypoallergenic 100% polyester fibre ball cluster filling that feels and moves like down, providing an exceptional sleep experience. Tested and proven effective.
Adjustable. Simply adjust the amount of filling for a higher or lower loft according to your preference.
Specifically developed to withstand hot washing and tumble drying and will not go lumpy.
Allows body generated heat and water vapour to pass through, providing exceptional comfort.
No dyes, harmful chemicals or bleaches in the natural cotton fabric
5 year manufacturer’s Guarantee – can last up to 10 years.

Made in New Zealand

NZ$79.00

Care Instructions

Machine washable at 60ºC and tumble dry. The hypoallergenic 100% polyester filling has been specially developed to withstand repeated hot water washing and tumble drying.

A note about hot water:Current building regulations require the fitting of 'tempering valves' to the hot water system. These effectively reduce the temperature of water in the washing machine to less than 55°C resulting in "hot" water washes that are not hot enough to kill dust mites. A plumber may be able to by-pass the valve, allowing hotter water to the laundry. Alternatively, consider buying a 'front-loader' washing machine which heats the water to 60°C.

About Dust Mites

House dust mites are tiny creatures – about 1/3 of a millimetre in length. They do most of us no harm but some people are sensitised to the allergenic proteins that dust mites produce, so they get allergic conditions such as asthma, rhinitis or eczema.

Dust mites love humidity of 50%+ year-round and temperatures above freezing – making most of New Zealand (and Auckland in particular) a perfect environment to thrive in.

Dust mites thrive on the tiny flakes of dead skin we shed every days (up to 1gram per day) – especially in bed where it’s warm, humid and the food source is plentiful for them. A brand-new, dust mite-free bed or carpet can be colonised in a matter of weeks.

Here is the nasty bit. It’s the bodies of the mites and in particular their faecal droppings, that contain the potent allergenic proteins which trigger allergic reactions - asthma, rhinitis (inflamed, runny nose) and eczema.

Reducing contact with these allergens can dramatically improve allergy symptoms.

Tips to reduce your exposure to dust mite allergen

Research shows that lowering exposure to dust mite allergen can help allergy sufferers thereby reducing the frequency & severity of their symptoms, and reducing their need for medication.

To reduce allergic reactions, it is essential to understand the most important allergen reservoirs around the house, and learn how to effectively deal with them. Here are some tips from the team at MiteGuard.

The Mattress.
In most homes, the mattress is THE major reservoir of dust mite allergen. The depth and complex construction of the mattress means that no amount of vacuuming or treatment with mite-killing sprays or powders (acaricides) will render it completely free from dust mite allergen. Complete encasement with a specialised allergen-barrier cover such as MiteGuard is the only effective means of protection. Your MiteGuard bedding cover should be lightly vacuumed or wiped-down with a damp cloth, on a weekly basis. Then once every 8-12 weeks, do a hot-water machine-wash (at least 55°C to be effective) which will kill any dust mites and prevent a build-up of allergen on the cover.

Pillows.
Pillows are a major source of dust mite allergen – and our noses are pressed up against them all night long! Most of the dust collected in pillows consists of flakes of dead skin and dust mite droppings! A MiteGuard pillow cover and regular weekly hot water washing of the outer pillow case will protect you from this major source of allergen, and let you sleep much more peacefully.

Other Bedding.
All sheets should be hot water washed weekly. Blankets should be hot water washed monthly (at least) or if woollen, dry cleaned. A duvet fitted with a MiteGuard cover and weekly hot water washing of the outer duvet cover is the best way of eliminating dust mite allergens from the outer bed covers.

Flooring.
Polished flooring is really the best solution. Loose rugs which can be regularly cleaned will help create a more comfortable atmosphere if you prefer.

Soft Toys.
Soft toys should be washable. If a regular schedule for washing the soft toys in hot water is adhered to from when the toys are new, allergen build up should be reduced to a minimum. Alternatively, regularly placing soft toys in the freezer overnight is an effective way of killing any dust mites which may have taken up residence. Older soft toys which have been "loved" for a long time may contain large amounts of allergen.

Dusting and Cleaning.
Regular cleaning, putting things away, reducing clutter, remove hiding places for dust! When dusting, use a damp duster to avoid "stirring up the dust". There is no need to vacuum more than once or twice a week but it is very important that your vacuum cleaner is properly maintained. Clean the filters and replace the dust bag frequently - don't wait until your vacuum cleaner stops sucking because the dust bag is overflowing! If dust created during vacuuming causes obvious problems to the allergy sufferer, buy a new vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency 'HEPA' exhaust filter.

Curtains.
When was the last time you had your curtains cleaned?! Curtains can become very dusty over the years. Have them cleaned once or twice a year and take the opportunity on a sunny day to air them on the washing line.

A note about hot water.
Current building regulations require the fitting of 'tempering valves' to the hot water system. These effectively reduce the temperature of water in the washing machine to less than 55°C resulting in "hot" water washes that are not hot enough to kill dust mites. A plumber may be able to by-pass the valve, allowing hotter water to the laundry. Alternatively, consider buying a 'front-loader' washing machine which heats the water to 60°C.