Making Anti Dust Mite Pillowcases Mattress Covers?

I am also allergic to dust mites and my allergist told me that the material "suffocates" the dust mites...the pillow cases I have seen have a plastic interior.

P.S. I was miserable like you are until I purchased a dehumidifier....Dust mites cannot live below a certain humidity. I saved up but it was worth it and now I do not buy all that allergy stuff and I feel fine.

I am also allergic to dust mites. I have taken shots for 3 1/2 years and have another 3 to go. I purchased a front loading washer (Whirlpool duet) as it has a sanitary cycle.

I found some zippered pillow protectors at Family $ store today. They came 2 in a bag for $2 . I napped to take them for a "test drive". They helped some but I am still interested in any Ideas.
I wondered if Chintz fabric would be a solution.

Susan Sanders-Kinzel
Diamond Feedback Medal for All Time! 1,023 Feedbacks

November 7, 20040 found this helpful

Linne,
It looks like the thread count of the fabric is what is important. The really good dust mite covers have a 240 thread count. Your best bet might to be to find really high thread count pillow cases and add a zipper. The problem could also be animal dander that is getting to your eyes and if so, this won't help much.

I was watching "Oprah" the other day and they had specialists on dust mites and similar things on the show. They recommended vacuuming your mattress pretty often and laundering sheets and pillowcases at lease weekly. Discard of any old (2+ yrs) decoritive pillows you may have as well as regular ones. Your regular ones you sleep with however can be washed but should be dried fairly quickly or they will smell. Also remember to add a touch of bleech with all of these items to kill any bacteria as well. The average human loses millions of skin cells every hour of every day, most of this happens at night when your skin sloughs off as you move around between the sheets. That is mainly what dust is, it is skin cells, and that is what the dust mites eat. Gross! You can also try showering and wearing full leangth pjs to bed. Hope this helps somewhat. No ideas on the fabric though I just found a cheap $20 one at a discount store.

I cannot get rid of mites.

For a thrifty pillowcase buy a twin bed sheet 250 or higher. These are usually far cheaper than the larger size sheets, especially on sales where they give you a teaser twin sheet price. Cut this up to size, you should be able to get several cases from one sheet.

vicki hood
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 102 Feedbacks

August 20, 20120 found this helpful

I wonder if dry 20 mule team borax spread under pad and sheets along with into carpet in bedroom would kill these boogers? It doesn't hurt anything. In fact it is a cleaner that is mined not chemical.