Cotton safe are allergen barrier covers that offer the safety & comfort of mite-proof chemical-free cotton, together with protection against mold spores and damp - serious triggers for asthma and rhinitis attacks. They have a very high quality soft white 100% cotton terry surface fabric. This creates a greater thickness to the covers, helping to dissipate excess heat more easily. This is combined with a fine, flexible backing which is waterproof, but is 10 times more breathable than pvc. This lets body heat & vapour pass through, but not liquids. The Cotton Safe mattress covers are fully-fitted with elasticated sides for easy-on, easy-off changing - a real help for babies' & childrens' bedding which can need frequent washing. Washing at 60C keeps these exceptional allergen barrier covers pure & fresh throughout their long life. Guaranteed free from antimony, phosphorous, cadmium & zinc, these covers are so safe they've been granted the Eco-Tex guarantee of textile purity in the category "Products for babies". Please ensure that you have the exact size of your mattress before ordering as a restocking charge may apply when goods are returned.
These unbleached, chemical-free 100% natural cotton covers offer supreme bedtime comfort. These zipped wholly natural allergen barrier covers offer total enclosure. The specially woven cotton, tested by the BTTG laboratories in Manchester and the Medical Entomology Centre at the University of Cambridge, is impenetrable by microscopic house dust mites and more importantly by their even tinier allergen-containing droppings. They come with the Eco-tex guarantee of textile purity and are highly recommended for skin problems and dust mite allergies. The Cottonfresh anti allergy bedding range range comes with the Eco-tex guarantee of textile purity making theses the ideal choice for those of you that suffer with chemical sensitivity, asthma and dustmite related allergies. Or why not simply use them to promote a healthy and hygienic sleeping environment for you and your family.

Fabric: 100% cotton terry surface with flexible breathable waterproof backing
Wash temp: 60 degrees
Tumble Dry: Cool

Creating a healthy sleeping environment is essential for those of you looking for a restful, allergy free sleep. With the vast range of bedding on the market today, how can you be sure that you are purchasing the right product for you? Our ratings guide has been designed to help you make the right choice, so that you can achieve that peaceful night's sleep that you have been dreaming of.

Fill
When it comes to duvets and pillows, it is important to consider the filling material. There are generally two types of filling: Natural and Synthetic. Each has different qualities and drawbacks and varies in price. Natural fillings such as down are warm in winter, cool in summer and snuggly soft. Synthetic fillings tend to be lighter in weight and are great if you are looking for something that is easy to wash and quick to dry.

Fabric
The fabric symbol shows what fibres the fabric has been constructed from.

Waterproof
Bedding that is waterproof comes with a waterproof backing and is ideal for children, and for protecting the mattress against night time accidents and spillages, and are particularly good at guarding against mould spores and damp, which can trigger off asthma and rhinitis attacks.

Season
It is important to select the right type of bedding depending on the season you will be using your bedding. A winter duvet for example, will keep you warm during the colder months, but will be too hot for you to use during the summer.

 Enclosed
This is particularly important if purchasing allergen proof barrier covers. Covers that fully enclose the pillow and mattress are recommend as there is no way for the allergens and those dreaded dustmites to escape, keeping you fully protected while you sleep.

Guarantee
The guarantee indicates the time in years or washes that the products will be effective for. Products with a longer guarantee tend to be of much higher quality and will need to be replaced less often.

Chemical free
The chemical free symbol shows the Oeko-tex certification and shows that the product being rated has been certified to be skin friendly and free from any harmful substances, including formaldehyde and carcinogenic dyestuffs.

Certification
There are many different certifications that will guarantee the product does what it is supposed to do. E.g. The Nomite certification guarantees that dustmites cannot penetrate the fabric of the product. This type of certification is essential in informing you of the capabilities of the product.

Suitability
Our allergy symbols denote whether the product is suitable for those who suffer with allergies: Eczema (dermatitis), Dustmite, and Asthma.

Momme Weight
Because silk is such a fine fabric, it is generally measured by “momme weight” instead of thread count. Momme (pronounced “mummy”) is a Japanese unit of weight used to measure and describe silk fabrics. The higher the momme, the heavier the fabric.
For example, 8 momme silk is extremely light and would not be durable or heavy enough for use in sheets while 22 momme silk is quite heavy and would typically be used in products such as men's suits.

The Multree Silk Linen uses 19momme rated Silk Crepe for its material, the finest Silk in the world.Beware of cheap imitations using 15 momme!

Dust Mite Proof Bedding: Your bed can be a source of comforting rest or distress depending on the condition of you mattress. The bedroom is usually the worst place for someone who is sensitive to dust mites, as they thrive in the warmth and humidity of your bed. This is why one of the first steps you need to take is to cover your mattress, pillow and duvet with a dust mite proof cover to prevent contact with those allergens.

13 December, 1999, BBC News Online

Feather pillows could be better for people with asthma than synthetic ones, according to research.

The findings contradict previously accepted wisdom which said that man-made pillows caused less allergic reactions.

But now researchers at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, say that levels of cat and dog allergen - products which cause allergic reactions - are seven to eight times higher respectively in synthetic pillows than in feather ones.

Earlier research by the same team found that synthetic pillows contained higher levels of dust mite allergens.

It is possible that this could be of real benefit to asthma sufferers

They concluded that the closely woven fabric around feather pillows - to keep the stuffing from falling out - was probably responsible for the lower levels of allergens.

Dr Adrian Custovic, a member of the British Thoracic Society and one of the team who carried out the study, said: "Previous research has suggested that around half of the overall increase in asthma could be explained by the use of synthetic pillows.

"Tightly woven or allergen-proof materials should be used to encase both synthetic and feather filling in pillows to provide an effective barrier against allergens. It is possible that this could be of real benefit to asthma sufferers."

A spokesman for the National Asthma Society said it advised people who have an allergy to feathers to use synthetic pillows. Following the findings of the study, he added: "We are still advising people to use a good barrier cover with feather pillows."

9 May, 2000, BBC ONLINE

Your bedding could make you ill

Beds can hide allergy causing particles

Almost half of households in the US have levels of dust mites in their bedding which can cause allergies and asthma, research suggests.

Researchers used vaccuum cleaners to suck up samples of dust from more than 800 homes in 75 different areas of the US.

A large number of US homes contain dust mite allergen levels which pose a significant risk for the development of allergies and asthma

They found that 45% of households had bedding with concentrations of dust mite allergens above 2 micrograms per gram of dust - the level at which allergies begin to develop.

And 17% of households reported problems with cockroach infestations.

The results suggest that 44m homes in the US are running the risk of asthma and other allergies because of their bedding.

And 22m of these homes have dust mite concentrations of 10 micrograms or higher, enough to trigger asthmatic attacks.

Figures on cockroach infestations of kitchens are due next year and are expected to show high levels.

Dr Patrick Vojta, who carried out the research, called the First National Allergen Survey, for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, said the results were a source for concern.

"This study suggests that a large number of US homes contain dust mite allergen levels which pose a significant risk for the development of allergies and asthma," he said.

"For people who are not allergic to these allergens, steps to reduce exposure may reduce the chance of developing allergies and asthma.

"For those who are already allergic and/or asthmatic, steps to reduce exposure may decrease the frequency and severity of the symptoms of these diseases."

Good housekeeping and the use of allergen proof bedding covers could reduce the risks, he added.

Results of the study were presented at the 96th International Conference of the American Lung Association/American Thoracic Society and their Canadian counterparts in Toronto.

The National Asthma Campaign said it was not aware of any similar research having been carried out in the UK.

A spokeswoman added: "It is likely that house-dust mites are present in most homes in the UK. Most modern, centrally heated homes are the ideal breeding ground for the house-dust mite.

"There are various measures that can be taken to reduce exposure to high levels of this allergen and potentially reduce the chance of developing allergic asthma. We are currently funding a major research project that is investigating exactly this."

Dust mites could also be found in carpets, fabrics and upholstered furniture.