Allergy guide
A fresher bed, an easier breath
As the windows close and the heating goes on, a few simple habits keep your bed as allergy-friendly as it can be.
Sneezing more once the heating goes on? You may not be imagining it. As we close windows and spend longer indoors, our homes get warmer and stuffier, and the bed is where house dust mites feel most at home.
According to Allergy UK, house dust mites live in bedding, carpets, soft furnishings and clothing, feed on dead skin cells and thrive in warm, humid conditions. They cannot be removed from a home entirely, but you can keep their numbers down.
If you have symptoms of allergy or asthma, speak to your GP or pharmacist. Allergy UK also has detailed information and support on its website.
In short
- Wash bedding at 60°C or above where the care label allows, as Allergy UK advises.
- Use breathable barrier covers on mattresses, duvets and pillows.
- Keep humidity down: ventilate the bedroom and use extractor fans.
- Air the bed every morning before you make it.
What Allergy UK recommends
60°C or higher
Allergy UK says washing at 60°C or above kills dust mites. Lower temperatures wash allergen away, but the mites survive.
Barrier covers
Breathable, allergen-proof covers that fully enclose the mattress, duvet and pillows.
Lower the humidity
Open windows, keep trickle vents clear and use extractor fans. Allergy UK suggests keeping indoor humidity below 50%.
Less clutter
Fewer cushions, throws and soft toys on the bed means fewer places for dust to settle.
Air it, wash it hot, cover it well.
A weekly routine for an allergy-friendly bed
Air the bed every morning
Pull the duvet back and open the window for twenty minutes before you make the bed. It lets moisture escape.
Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly
At 60°C if the care label allows. If it does not, wash as hot as the label permits and dry thoroughly.
Protect the mattress
A mattress protector is far easier to wash than a mattress. Wash it regularly.
Dry everything completely
Damp bedding adds humidity. Read our guide to drying bedding in winter without damp.
Vacuum the bedroom
Including under the bed, ideally with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.
Always check the care label before a hot wash. If your bedding cannot go to 60°C, a regular wash plus a thorough tumble dry where the label allows, and a good mattress protector, still makes a real difference.
For more ideas, read our guide to allergy-free bedrooms and mattress protectors for allergy-free sleep.
Sheet Story
Start with the mattress
Our quilted and bamboo terry mattress protectors are machine washable, deep-pocketed and OEKO-TEX certified. Free UK delivery on orders over £80.
Shop mattress protectors →Questions we are often asked
What temperature kills dust mites in bedding?
Allergy UK advises washing bedding at 60°C or higher to kill house dust mites. Always check the care label first.
Why do allergies feel worse when the heating is on?
Homes tend to be warmer and less ventilated in the colder months, and Allergy UK notes dust mites thrive in warm, humid conditions.
Do mattress protectors help with dust mite allergy?
Allergy UK recommends breathable, allergen-proof barrier covers that fully enclose mattresses, duvets and pillows.
How often should I wash bedding if I have allergies?
Weekly for sheets and pillowcases is a good routine, at the hottest temperature the care label allows.
Every bed tells a Sheet Story
