What are the best mattress covers for allergies?

There are many choices, and it can be confusing to determine the best mattress covers for allergies. I will help you break it down to what is most important for your family.

The best mattress covers for allergies, dust mites, bed bugs and pet allergens are those that are non-toxic, breathable and waterproof!

Mattress covers for allergies are made to keep the dust mite allergens and the bed bugs from getting in and out of your mattress. These critters love to get into mattresses, and covers with protection that can block them can help with your allergies.

The covers must fully encase the mattress (6 sided) and they must have a pore size small enough to block these tiny allergens from getting through. Pore size is the space between the fibers.

Why is Waterproof So Important?

With the likelihood of wetness from spills, liquids, sweat, and nighttime accidents, it is important to prevent bacteria and mold as well as stains ruining your mattress. Sleeping in a clean bed that is free from bacteria and mold is obviously important to the health of your family.

A plastic membrane creates the most effective barrier since nothing can get through plastic – it’s not porous or permeable. For this reason, plastic makes the cover waterproof, and you definitely need waterproofing for your kids’ beds.

But here’s the problem with plastic covers…

Most plastic covers are made with vinyl/PVC or a type of urethane. Vinyl/PVC contains carcinogens, and the plasticizers that are used to soften the hard PVC plastic and make it flexible enough to use as mattress covers are phthalates or phthalate variants. Phthalates are a clear health risk; these compounds do not belong in your kids’ sleeping environment. Even “phthalate-free” vinyl is not to be trusted.

Urethane can be tricky – there are some types that can be safe and others not so much.

You don’t want your family to be exposed to harsh chemicals and toxins.

Plastic can be hot to sleep on – it’s not breathable at all. You need air flow between your mattress and cover. And plastic can also be crinkly or crunchy, which is the last thing you need when you’re trying to sleep.

Organic Cotton Mattress Covers for Allergies

You can get tightly woven cotton fabric covers with small pore sizes that are considered allergen and dust mite-proof. It’s best if the cotton is organic if you’re going to buy cotton dust mite covers. Organic cotton dust mite covers are light and cool fabrics that can do the job of blocking allergens. However, these covers are not waterproof.

You really need waterproof covers for your family if you want to protect the mattress. For this reason, I usually recommend getting organic cotton dust mite covers and adding an organic waterproof mattress pad to cover it. Buying both the cover and pad can get a bit expensive though.

Now you can get the best of both worlds in one safe, non-toxic, breathable mattress encasement!

We finally have the best mattress covers for allergies that are effective in blocking allergens, while completely waterproof and also safe and non-toxic.  

These covers are light, cool and breathable and they encase the entire mattress. The membrane fabric does not allow any allergens to pass – it protects from pollen, mold spores, animal dander, and even bed bugs and fleas.

The waterproof plastic membrane is non-GMO, bio-based, derived from corn starch. It’s approved by GOTS, so we know for certain it’s safe and non-toxic. This membrane is sandwiched between two layers of organic cotton stretchable jersey that provides airflow and makes it soft and breathable. There is no crunchy, crinkly sound. It’s free of all the toxins and it has 100% waterproof protection that is silent to sleep on.

Here is where you can find it:

Learn more about waterproof mattress protectors – what’s safe and what to avoid: