6 Tips To Sleep Better With Allergies, From Hypoallergenic Sheets To Air Filters

Do you find yourself waking up with a bad case of sniffles? With spring just around the corner, many of us are gearing up for allergy season. But it’s not just the flowers in bloom that can give you a tough time - your sheets can trap dust, pet dander, and other minute particles that cause nasal allergies. Investing in some hypoallergenic sheets and a good air purifier can go a long way in improving your symptoms.

If a blocked nose has got you down, we’ve gathered 6 tips for sleeping better through the spring season. From investing in the best hypoallergenic sheets to having a warm shower right before you go to bed, here’s everything you need to know:

Tip #1 - Invest In An Air Filter For Your Home

Peak allergy season can be difficult if you’re sensitive to pollen, dust, and other micro-particles present in the air. What we don’t realize is that the air inside our homes can be equally challenging on our immune system, whether that’s from external pollutants that have latched on to clothes, pet dander, or even air from the outdoors that filters into your home.

Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to keep the air in your room as clean as possible. This is especially important if you live somewhere with central air conditioning since your A/C can end up blowing a lot of dust and other allergens into your space.

If you struggle with chronic nasal allergies, it’s also essential to try and schedule routine inspections for seals in your windows or doors. It’s also necessary to have your house checked for mold regularly since this can also broadly impact the quality of the air you breathe.

Tip #2 - Use Hypoallergenic Sheets & Bedding

You spend seven to eight hours a day tossing and turning in bed, which is why it’s important to try and keep your sleep cycle as steady as possible. So what makes hypoallergenic sheets different from other kinds of bedding?

Hypoallergenic sheets are designed to be resistant to dust mites, spores of mold or mildew, and pet dander. This is thanks to tightly-woven material that minimizes the number of gaps that most indoor allergens like to live and breed in.

For your bed sheets to be comfortable to sleep in, they should also be naturally breathable. The most popular natural materials that are useful for those who struggle with allergies are bamboo viscose or cotton sheets.

Hypoallergenic sheets aren’t the only thing you should factor into your decision-making - try and keep the majority of your bedding (and furniture, if possible!) in your bedroom hypoallergenic.

All of these things contribute to the overall quality of your sleep. The best hypoallergenic sheets include.

• Bamboo Viscose Sheets - These sheets are made of fibers that have natural anti-microbial and moisture-wicking properties. This ensures the hypoallergenic sheets remain dry and cool by preventing mold growth and the spread of microbial organisms. 
• Cotton Sheets - Cotton is one of the best naturally hypoallergenic fabrics because it is highly breathable, which means it doesn’t trap moisture and stays cool. This property prevents bacteria and allergens from growing and triggering any allergic reaction. The quality of cotton sheets mostly depends on the length of the cotton fibers, it can be short, long, or extra-long staples. The longer the staple is, the better the quality. There are many types of cotton sheets, the most popular is Egyptian cotton because it uses extra-long staples and is made of organic cotton. Cotton sheets can be machine washed, preferably at a high temperature to get rid of any germs.
• Silk Sheets - Silk sheets are a great option for sensitive skin because of their velvety softness that offers a gentle touch on your skin. Silk is a natural fiber spun by silkworms, and it contains pure resistance against indoor allergens, like dust mites and mold. Silk sheets prevent overheating and ensure you maintain cool and relaxed. However, these hypoallergenic bed sheets are more expensive than others. Additionally, silk sheets can be hard to care for because they mostly need to be dry cleaned and can be damaged if machine washed. Some brands can be machine washed, but it’ll have to be on a gentle setting, so be sure to read the care instructions before cleaning.
• Tencel Sheets - Tencel is extracted from wood cellulose of Eucalyptus trees, and then it undergoes a complex production process to create Tencel sheets. As a result, they’re more expensive than the other options. These hypoallergenic sheets wick away moisture that results in indoor allergens and bacteria. This fabric has an extremely soft and smooth texture, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin as well as allergy sufferers.

Tip #3 - Wash Your Sheets Regularly

Even if you have got yourself a set of hypoallergenic sheets, it’s important you still do a routine clean of your bedroom at least once a week, and a deep clean that includes your mattress at least once a quarter. Washing your bed sheets regularly can keep them from collecting build-up, thereby minimizing the impact they will have on your sleep routine.

Be sure to look out for wash instructions for natural bed sheets so that you avoid damaging them while you’re looking after them. The best sheets should have cooling properties that promote airflow as you rest, and looking after them properly will ensure they stay comfy for as long as you have them.

Apart from your hypoallergenic sheets, it’s also important to dust or vacuum any part of your bedroom that feels prone to collecting large amounts of dust. These can include curtains, blankets, throw pillows, and any seating, such as cushions or beanbags, that you have in your bedroom.

Tip #4 - Avoid Sharing Your Bedroom With A Pet

As much as you love showing your pup or kitten plenty of love, pet fur can be dust magnets, attracting mites and other microscopic particles that end up on your bed during a nighttime cuddle.

Even with hypoallergenic sheets, it’s best to avoid having your pets sleep on the surface of your bed unless you’re interested in getting a lint-roller out every night so that you can combat this. Try to keep any pets you have out of your bedroom, especially during allergy season, for your best bet at waking up without the sniffles.

Can’t resist those puppy-dog eyes? Ease the transition by getting a cat or dog bed that your pet can snuggle up on instead. If you’re having trouble weaning your pup off your bed, add an old pillow for them to rest on - they find your scent comforting and will be able to snooze easier with it.

Tip #5 - Take A Warm Shower Before Going To Sleep

At the end of a long day, you’re going to be covered in pollen and pollutants from the time you’ve spent outside, whether you can feel it or not. Taking a warm shower before wrapping up for the night is going to make it a lot easier for you to get a good night’s sleep.

Showering at night also has the added benefit of bringing your internal body temperature down, which can help prime your body for a good night’s sleep. Your body requires a temperature between 65 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit for an ideal night of sleep, so bringing down your internal temperature can help you feel cozy enough for uninterrupted snoozing.

Tip #6: Use Hypoallergenic Covers For Your Mattress & Pillows

Using hypoallergenic sheets is going to impact your sleep quality. But it is important to use hypoallergenic covers for your mattress and pillows as well. If your mattress traps heat and moisture, it’ll develop mold, spread bacteria, and attract dust mites. As a result, you’ll suffer from allergy symptoms, making it hard to sleep. All Puffy mattresses are covered with a stain-resistant hypoallergenic cover and have a cooling gel-infused layer to prevent night sweats as you sleep.

In order to prolong your mattress’s lifespan and keep it fresh, you should use a mattress protector that’ll guard it against spills, dust mites, insects, and other allergens.

Avoid Allergies & Get Better Sleep With Puffy

Puffy products are made to suit every kind of sleeper, which means everything from our bamboo viscose bed sheets and pillow covers to our bedroom rugs and comforters is hypoallergenic. Our bed sheets are made of 100% pure viscose from bamboo, which is a naturally hypoallergenic material. The sheets are chemical-free, making them ideal for sensitive skin - you’ll avoid getting rashes or feeling uncomfortable like you would with new cotton sheets before they’re washed.

The fabric we use is highly breathable, so you won’t feel stuffy or overheat while sleeping. Additionally, it has natural climate-adaptive properties, making it suitable in all seasons. You’ll sleep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Puffy Sheets are made of a 300-thread count with a sateen weave for a silky smooth and luxurious feel.

The Puffy Bamboo Sheets feature a complete sheet set, one flat sheet, a deep pocket fitted sheet, and pillow covers. They come in two contemporary colors, white and gray, and every mattress size - twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. The fitted sheet has extra deep pockets that are 15” deep that’ll easily fit over mattresses with various thickness levels. Our ultra-soft sheets are airy, super comfortable, and most importantly, will help you sleep soundly all night long.

FAQ

What kind of sheets is hypoallergenic?

Hypoallergenic sheets are fabrics that have a natural resistance to indoor allergens, like dust mites and mold. Poor quality bed sheets can lead to overheating, itchiness, and congestion, and highly impact your sleep quality. Some of the best hypoallergenic sheets include cotton, Tencel, silk, and bamboo viscose sheets. These fabrics are highly breathable and won’t trap moisture, which eases the spread of bacteria and germs.

Are hypoallergenic sheets worth it?

Hypoallergenic bed sheets like Egyptian cotton or silk sheets can be expensive, so are they worth it? For allergy sufferers looking for a more affordable alternative with the same level of quality and comfort, bamboo viscose sheets are a perfect choice. They have natural moisture-wicking and climate-adaptive properties ensuring the sheets always stay airy and fresh.

Why are my bed sheets making me itch?

If your bed sheets are making you itch or you develop any rashes or redness from them, it may be time to change your sheets because they may be triggering these allergy symptoms. Suppose your bed sheets are made of an absorbent material that traps heat and moisture. In that case, they can develop bacteria and other allergens that can affect you, especially if you have sensitive skin. It’s best to replace your sheets with sheets like ours, which are safe for sensitive skin.

How can your sheets trigger allergies?

The average human sheds thousands of dead skin cells per minute, and since you spend one-third of your time in bed, this debris can add up. This attracts dust mites to your bed. A warm or humid atmosphere will make them multiply. If your sheets trap moisture, they’ll develop mold and bacteria in time. Dust mites, pet hair, mold, and other allergens are all factors that trigger allergies. It is recommended to wash your sheets regularly (in hot water) and use hypoallergenic sheets to reduce allergy symptoms.

What is the best bedding for allergy sufferers?

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, it is advised to consider upgrading your sheets, pillow covers, comforter, and even your mattress, to be hypoallergenic. A low-quality mattress can trap heat, develop mold, and trigger allergies. Additionally, it is recommended to wash your bedding regularly (once a week) to avoid getting allergies. Hypoallergenic bedding is usually made of materials like bamboo viscose, cotton, silk, and Tencel.

Conclusion

Whether it’s by finding the best hypoallergenic sheets for a good night’s sleep or simply taking a warm shower before you go to bed, it’s important to find the source of your allergies and nip the problem in the bud. Sniffling through the night might affect the overall quality of your sleep, which can be detrimental when you’re trying to get eight hours of uninterrupted rest.