What’s a good pillow for allergy sufferers?

If you suffer from allergies like eczema, hay fever, or even asthma, then you will know how debilitating these conditions can be! There are many things that can trigger these conditions, and one that is often overlooked is your pillow. 

At Spinaleze, we believe that pillows can be your greatest asset to a restful night’s sleep, and should definitely not have a negative impact on your health, so we have put together the top things to look out for, to ensure your pillow is allergy and asthma safe.

What pillow fillings are best?

While often super soft and comfortable, pillows made with natural fillings such as down or feather can cause itching and irritation and can provoke sniffles or exacerbate breathing problems. 

In the case of pillows, man-made, hypoallergenic materials are the best for those who suffer from allergies and respiratory issues like asthma. 

Hypoallergenic versus anti-bacterial

One thing to be mindful of when looking at pillows is the distinction between hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial. Hypoallergenic means that the pillow is made from materials that are less likely to trigger allergies. Anti-bacterial or anti-microbial means the pillow has been treated with a product that kills microorganisms or stops their growth, meaning that no nasties can hide out in your pillow.

All of Spinaleze’s Australian designed and made pillows are created with material that ticks all of these boxes, and so are ideal for those who are prone to asthma and allergies

Is your pillow washable?

Pillows are often forgotten when it comes to doing the weekly washing, but it is important to ensure they are clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and other nasties in your pillow. 

That being said, washing is not required for all pillows. All Spinaleze pillows contain Ultrafresh, which is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, so there is no need to wash the pillow, as there is no chance that bacteria can grow inside it. 

If there is a spill you can simply use a damp cloth to spot clean it and then just air it in the cool shade. The 100% cotton pillowcase that comes with your Spinaleze pillow can be removed and washed as often as you wish, we recommend washing it when you wash the rest of your bed sheets and covers.

While finding the right pillow to help alleviate your allergies or asthma is a great start, here are some other tips to help make your sleep even better:

• Ensure you cover your pillows in a fully enclosed, dust mite-proof case to create an extra layer of protection.  
• Wash your bedding in water hotter than 55°C to kill mites and get rid of the allergen they produce. The National Asthma Council Australia recommends that if you can’t use a hot wash, use a commercial product that contains essential oils like eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil, which has been created to kill dust mites in cold water. Ensure you always check the manufacturer instructions before washing though!
• Open the curtains and air your bedding in the sunshine where you can, alternatively on low-allergen days you might like to leave your pillows in the sunshine to help kill any nasties that might be lurking.
• Hot tumble drying of washed items for at least 10 minutes after they are dry will also kill mites that can trigger allergies and asthma.

So armed with these tips and tricks, you should be able to choose the best pillow to help alleviate your allergies or asthma, to guarantee your best sleep ever! 

If you would like more information on Spinaleze’s anti-microbial and anti-bacteria pillows, then you can get in touch with us, or visit us in-store to test our pillows in person.