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" What We Looked for in Anti-Allergy Bedding GHRI scientists and testers evaluated bedding covers and pillow protectors for:  Ease of putting on and taking off Water repellency Fit on a mattress Breathability Shrinkage Appearance after repeated washings  A panel of testers also evaluated pillow protectors for comfort. How We Tested Anti-Allergy Bedding  Encasement products were put on and taken off of a 10-inch-deep twin-sized mattress and a standard-sized pillow. Swatches of each product&amp;#039;s material were tested for water repellency. Scientists poured 300 milliliters of water through a specially made rain funnel, tapped the fabric twice, and then inspected the swatches for beading. Manufacturers provided data to show their bedding complied with breathability standards. Manufacturers also provided data to show their bedding complied with the anti-allergen penetration standard. This shows us if very small particles can get through the bedding.  We washed and dried bedding, following their instructions, and then visually evaluated them for shrinkage and changes in texture or shape. Testers slept on pillow protectors at their homes for four nights and then rated their comfort.  What to Look for When Buying Anti-Allergy Bedding  The best protection against allergens comes from non-porous fabrics, which are usually the cheapest. However, this type of fabric doesn&amp;#039;t breathe as well as others, and may make for a hot sleeping environment. Instead, consider a microfiber polyester fabric, a cotton fabric with a laminated nylon membrane, or a cotton fabric tightly woven with very fine threads. Make sure the bedding you buy fully encases the entire bed \u2014 the mattress and box spring, plus protectors for all your pillows. There are even brands that carry coverings for your comforters.    1. Aller-Ease Aller-Ease Maximum Allergy Protector (Encasements: $50-$110; Pillow protectors: $9-$20; shop.aller-ease.com) For those who need maximum protection, this Aller-Ease bedding is the best of both worlds. The two-part construction locks out allergens with polyester on the sides and bottom \u2014 all without sacrificing breathability, thanks to the handy cotton and nylon top layer. Our testers said the bedding was so comfortable, they forgot the protector was even on their pillows. Top fabric: 100% cotton with 100% nylon membrane; sides and bottom: 100% polyester. Pros:  Good construction with tight seams and a strong zipper The bedding&amp;#039;s stretchiness made it easy to put on and take off the mattress and pillow. After five washes and dries, there was little change or shrinkage. Testers said they forgot the protector was even on their pillow while sleeping.  Cons:  Neither waterproof nor water-resistant  2. Allergy Control\u00AE Pristine Complete (Encasements: $84-$150; Pillow protector: $17-$22; allergycontrol.com) The small-pore weave of this bedding lets the fabric breathe but still resist allergens. Bonus: Our testers gave it a thumbs up for comfort. Fabric: 100% microfiber polyester. Lifetime manufacturer&amp;#039;s warranty.  Pros:  The small-pore weave lets fabric breathe while resisting allergens. Excellent construction with finished seams and zipper flap for added protection. After five washes and dries, there was little shrinkage and no change. This product works for mattresses, box springs, and comforters. Testers found this pillow protector to be comfortable to sleep on.  Cons:  Use with the thickest of mattresses. The twin-size was too loose on our test mattress, even when used with a topper. Neither waterproof nor water-resistant  3. Allergy Control\u00AE Micro Protection (Encasements: $33-$53; Pillow protector: $7-$9; allergycontrol.com) This product sailed through our durability tests, showing no changes in appearance or signs of shrinkage after multiple washes. In tests, the polyester top felt wet to the touch after we poured water on it, but it prevented the water from soaking through. Our testers said they were able to feel the laminate lining in the fabric, but the bedding kept liquids and allergens at bay. Top fabric: 100% polyester; laminate: 100% polyurethane. Manufacturer&amp;#039;s warranty: five years. Pros:  The fit was good and the product is well made, with an interior flap under the zipper, corded edging, and finished seams. There was no change in appearance or shrinkage after we washed the bedding multiple times. Water resistant  Cons:  Testers said they could feel the laminate lining in the fabric, which was uncomfortable. Some testers said it was a bit noisy when trying to fall asleep.  4. Allergy Guard Pristine (Encasements: $66-$130; Pillow protector: $15-$19; allergyguarddirect.com) GHRI scientists found that this bedding became softer after each wash, with just a little shrinkage and no change in appearance. While the bedding fit on the mattress with ease, our testers said they had to strong-arm their pillows into the protectors. Fabric: 100% microfiber polyester. Pros:  Easy to put on and take off the mattress There was little shrinkage and no change in the product after multiple washes and dries. The fabric got softer with each wash.  Cons:  Cut a bit small for the average pillow; it took some maneuvering to close the zipper This fabric is not very breathable. Neither waterproof nor water-resistant   5. Aller-Ease Waterproof Allergy Protector (Encasements: $20-$40; Pillow protector: $4-$7; amazon.com) Relatively inexpensive, this bedding effectively keeps out allergens. However, our testers said the paper-like fabric was noisy to sleep on. Our advice: Use with a mattress topper for a more snug fit. Fabric: 100% polypropylene; lining: 100% polyethylene. Pros:  The bedding has a loose fit \u2014 you can put a mattress topper underneath or use on a thick mattress. No change in appearance and no shrinkage after multiple washings Waterproof \u2014 in our tests, no liquid seeped to the underside Inexpensive  Cons:  Testers said it was noisy to sleep on. This bedding cannot be dried in the dryer. Air dry only. Not very breathable  6. Allergy Guard AllerSoft Cotton (Encasement: $47-$81; Pillow protector: $9-$12; allergyguarddirect.com) Our testers slept like a dream on this comfy, breathable cotton bedding, and were pleased by its simple yet durable construction. But if your allergies are severe, consider a non-porous fabric, which will keep out more allergens. This fabric&amp;#039;s micron size was at the upper level of what is considered acceptable. Fabric: 100% cotton. Pros:  Strong zipper and a good mattress fit Made of breathable, soft cotton The testers raved about how comfortable this product was.  Cons:  Neither waterproof nor water-resistant  7. Allergy Control\u00AE Cotton Performance (Encasement: $174.95-$279.95; Pillow Protector: $39.95-$44.95; allergycontrol.com) Product was way too large for the mattress, not even a topper plus a thicker mattress could make this work. The fabric is very breathable, and had no shrinkage after all the washings. Fabric: 100% cotton. Lifetime manufacturer&amp;#039;s warranty.  Pros:  After multiple washes, the fabric didn&amp;#039;t shrink. Very breathable fabric  Cons:  Product was way too big for the mattress \u2014 not even a topper plus a thicker mattress could make this work Fabric began to feel rough after the washings Expensive  8. Protect A Bed Allergy Protection Kit (Kit includes encasement, mattress pad, and pillow protector: $170-$260; protectabeddirect.com or protectabed.com) This all-in-one, no-fuss kit provides you with everything you need to keep allergens at bay: a system with encasements for the mattress and mattress pad, plus two pillow protectors. Fabric: 80% cotton and 20% polyester, with 100% polyurethane lining. The AllerZip Encasement and the Mattress Protector have a 10-year manufacturer&amp;#039;s warranty and the pillow protectors have a 5-year manufacturer&amp;#039;s warranty. Pros:  Good construction with all-around elastic fabric on the mattress pad for an easy fit Mattress encasement and pad were easy to put on and take off Water resistant  Cons:  Testers said the non-porous fabric can be stuffy and warm to sleep on \u2014 plus the material felt stiff. The pillow protector was a bit small for traditional pillows.   9. Allergy Guard AllerSoft Organic Cotton (Encasement: $148-$296; Pillow Protector: $$25-$33; allergyguarddirect.com) Test results show the fabric blocks allergens while still remaining breathable for optimum comfort. Consumers said the encasement was a little awkward to put on the mattress but were impressed by the strong construction. Fabric: 100% organic cotton. Pros:  Good construction with a strong zipper Test results show the fabric keeps out allergens while still remaining breathable.  Cons:  The fabric was a little stiff after multiple washings. The encasement product was awkward to put on the mattress.  Testers said the pillow protector was hard and noisy to sleep on.  10. Aller-Ease Bed Bug Protection (Encasement: $30-$70; Pillow protectors: $7-$13; shop.aller-ease.com) Worried about bed bugs? Consider this bedding from Aller Ease \u2014 it keeps the pesky critters out of your bed linens. Some of our testers found the non-porous fabric uncomfortable to sleep on and compared it to sleeping on plastic. Top fabric: 100% polyester; laminate: 100% polyurethane. Pros:  Excellent construction, with a Velcro block for the zipperhead and a large flap underneath The encasement product was easy to put on and has room for a mattress topper. Water resistant  Cons:  The fabric has a plastic feel and may be uncomfortable and noisy to sleep on.  11. Allergy Guard Stretch Knit (Encasement: $36-$63; Pillow protectors: $6-$8; allergyguarddirect.com) The non-porous fabric of this bedding ensures allergens will not get into it, but the trade-off is less breathability. The mattress encasement had a good, snug fit, but testers said the pillow took some maneuvering to fit into the protector. Top fabric: 100% polyester; laminate: 100% polyurethane. Pros:  The product had a good, snug fit \u2014 its stretchy fabric made it easy to put on and take off the mattress. While quite a lot of water was absorbed into the top layer, it did not go through the fabric in GHRI tests. There was little shrinkage and no change in the appearance of the bedding after multiple washes and dries. Inexpensive  Cons:  The non-porous fabric can be stuffy and warm to sleep on.  The pillow took some maneuvering to fit into the protector.  12. AllergyGuard Poly/Cotton with Membrane (Encasement: $20-$39; Pillow protectors: $5-$7; allergyguarddirect.com) Just dare those allergens to attempt to permeate your bed with this bedding! The non-porous, water-repellent fabric should seal them out. However, some of our testers said this bedding was too hot to sleep on. Fabric: 50% cotton, 50%; poly, with 100% polyurethane membrane. Pros:  Non-porous, so allergens shouldn&amp;#039;t get into your mattress or pillow Water repellent Snug fit \u2014 no room for a topper Strong zipper Inexpensive  Cons:  The fabric isn&amp;#039;t breathable \u2014 some testers found this pillow protector too hot to sleep on.   13. Allergy Control\u00AE Cotton Pure (Encasement: $60-$100; Pillow protector: $13-$17; allergycontrol.com) Our consumer testers found this bedding very comfortable, and its fabric is breathable. However, because its large pore size is at the higher end of what is acceptable for allergy bedding, it may let some allergens through \u2014 an issue for those with severe allergies. Fabric: 100% cotton. Manufacturer&amp;#039;s warranty: 10 years.  Pros:   Very breathable fabric Well-made with cording around edges and a flap under the zipper for further protection The testers found this product very comfortable to sleep on.  Cons:  Because the fabric is so breathable, the pore size is larger and can allow some allergens through. Neither water-repellent nor water-resistant Fabric felt a little rough after multiple washings The product was difficult to close around the mattress, but fit well when finally zipped. There was noticeable shrinkage after multiple washings.  14. Aller-Ease Cotton Comfort Allergy Protection (Encasement: $30-$80; Pillow protector: $10-$20; shop.aller-ease.com) This cotton bedding won high marks for its comfort from our testers. However, the lining that acts as the allergen barrier delaminated during our testing, compromising its effectiveness. Fabric: 100% cotton. Manufacturer&amp;#039;s warranty: N/A.  Pros:  The product fit well, with room for a thicker mattress or a topper.  Our testers found this comfortable to sleep on.   Cons:  Lining delaminated during the test wash, and it could not be placed on the mattress correctly afterward. Our testers said the zipper was cheap, and they worried it could break during use. Will prevent allergens from entering, but not as well as some other products, after the barrier delaminates  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/allergy-control-product-reviews/a18898/anti-allergy-bedding/>