Anti-allergy duvets and pillows - the myth!

Nomite Anti-Allergy Certification Logo | scooms

So, you can't use feather pillows and Hungarian goose down duvets because you have a dust mite allergy - right? Wrong! We're banishing the anti-allergy bedding myth!

  1. The myth
  2. What dust mites like 
  3. What makes bedding anti dust mite?
  4. Nomite certification
  5. Looking after your bedding

 

The myth

The myth that feather and down duvets and pillows can cause allergic reactions has led to a boom in anti-allergy synthetic bedding products. But if you test the two types of bedding side by side, natural down and feather bedding versus synthetic, this myth can be quickly put to rest.

I do have a dust mite allergy and so I always used to buy synthetic bedding that was specifically branded as hypoallergenic or anti dust mite. Then when we researched starting scooms I realised it wasn't a particular type of filling that attracted dust mites but a specific kind of environment.

Scientific research has demonstrated that even if you suffer from house dust mite allergies or asthma, you can enjoy sleeping with natural down and feather bedding. 

 

What dust mites like

Essentially, what house dust mites love are damp and warm conditions - high humidity. They live off the scales of human and pet skin. Yuck! So, they definitely don't eat down or feathers! Dust mites don't have a particular preference for either synthetic or natural duvet or pillow fillings.

Studies have shown that synthetics are less breathable resulting in damper conditions that allow the mites to thrive.  Synthetic bedding can also harbour more allergens because the casing weave is often looser, allowing the mites to get in. Find out more in this article from the Asthma & Allergy Centre.

According to NOMITE: ‘Long-term studies have found only extremely small concentrations of mites and allergens inside down and feather bedding. Down and feather beds achieve, therefore, extremely positive results when compared with synthetic bedding. They are completely safe from an allergologic point of view. Bedding articles filled with down and feathers neither host house dust mites nor do they provide a source of food for them.’

 

What makes bedding anti dust mite?

The most important thing is to make sure that your bedding doesn't create an environment that appeals to dust mites. What to check for:

  • Casing with a specially tight weave - The tiny gaps between the cotton fibres should be too small for the mites to pass through.
  • Breathable filling - Specially selected down which is naturally breathable will reduce moisture and damp conditions.
  • Humidity control - Down provides excellent temperature regulation, quickly warming up while you sleep and quickly decreasing in humidity when aired.
  • Washable - The majority of down and feather duvets and pillows are washable.

 

Nomite certification

The NOMITE mark is an anti-allergen standard that indicates that a product is suitable for house dust mite allergy sufferers.  NOMITE® certified down and feather bedding also use down and feather proof fabric ticking, which also acts as a ‘barrier’ to the dust mite.

Read more about NOMITE anti-allergen acceditation.

The scooms pillow and duvet are NOMITE approved.

 

Looking after your bedding

How you care for your bedding is also important:

  • Reduce moisture - Air your bed every morning by folding back your duvet as this further reduces any moisture.
  • Wash regularly - Clean your duvet and pillow every 6 to 12 months following the care label instructions.
  • Use bed linen that is made of a natural material, like 100% cotton, so that the down can breathe, (which synthetic materials don't allow).

 

 

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Author: Emily AttwoodPublished: 12 September 2017Last modified: 12 April 2024





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Bedding size guide

DUVET SIZES

These are standard UK bedding measurements so if you know your mattress size, you can easily work out which duvet size you need. (Width x length.)

UK sizes Duvet size Mattress size
Single 135 x 200cm (53 x 79") 90 x 190cm (36 x 75")
Double 200 x 200cm (79 x 79") 135 x 190cm (53 x 75")
King 225 x 220cm (89 x 87") 150 x 200cm (60 x 78")
Super king 260 x 220cm (102 x 87") 180 x 200cm (72 x 78")

US/CANADA BEDDING SIZES: Approximate matches to UK sizes are US King/UK Super king, US Queen/UK King,  US Full/UK Double and US Twin/UK Single.

EUROPEAN BEDDING SIZES: Each size - Single, Double, King and Grand king - is a little larger than the UK equivalent.

Measure your mattress to see which size bedding you need: our UK v European v US mattress comparison guide.

 

DUVET TOG RATINGS

Young children can overheat so if they are old enough to use a full size bed, we recommend using a single size 4.5 tog duvet.

 Tog rating Season / heat Feel
2.5 tog High summer / hot sleepers Light thermal insulation
4.5 tog Summer Lower thermal insulation
9 tog Spring & Autumn Cosy medium heat
All season 13.5 tog 4.5 tog + 9 tog Very warm
All season 11.5 tog 2.5 tog + 9 tog Warm
All season 7 tog 2.5 tog + 4.5 tog Lower warmth

 

DUVET FILL WEIGHTS

Our goose down duvets have high 700 fill power. Fill weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre). For example view our 9 tog king size goose down duvet for more duvet details.

Fill weight (not total duvet weight)
Single All seasons - 788gsm
9 tog - 486gsm 
4.5 tog - 302gsm 
2.5 tog - 220gsm
Double All seasons - 1168gsm
9 tog - 720gsm
4.5 tog - 448gsm
2.5 tog - 320gsm
King All seasons - 1478gsm
9 tog - 911gsm
4.5 tog - 567gsm
2.5 tog - 400gsm
Super king All seasons - 1671gsm
9 tog - 1030gsm
4.5 tog - 641gsm
2.5 tog - 480gsm

 

PILLOW SIZES

Our pillows come in two sizes and two firmness options. (Width x length.)

Standard  50 x 75cm
King 50 x 90cm

 

BED LINEN SIZES

Our fitted sheets are deep fit, up to 40cm / 15.7" mattress depth. And our duvet covers fasten with large, easy to use buttons. (Width x length.)

Duvet cover Fitted sheet Flat sheet Pillowcase (pair)
Single 140 x 200cm 90 x 190cm 180 x 275cm
Double 200 x 200cm 135 x 190cm 230 x 275cm 50 x 75cm (Standard)
King 230 x 220cm 150 x 200cm 275 x 275cm 50 x 90cm (King)
Super king 260 x 220cm 180 x 200cm 305 x 275cm

 

TOPPER & MATTRESS PROTECTOR SIZES

Our mattress protectors are deep fit, up to 40cm mattress depth. Choose the same size topper or protector as your mattress size. (Width x length.)

Topper / protector size Mattress size
Single 90 x 190cm 90 x 190cm
Double 135 x 190cm 135 x 190cm
King 150 x 200cm 150 x 200cm
Super king 180 x 200cm 180 x 200cm 

 

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