How Choosing Independently Certified Bedding Can Reduce Allergens and Support Healthier Sleep Environments
May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, designated by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) since 1984 to raise awareness about the impact of asthma and allergies on people and their families and to highlight the importance of diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of these conditions. With more than 106 million Americans affected by asthma and allergies, and with symptoms often peaking in spring, May is an ideal time to consider how our indoor environments shape day-to-day wellbeing.
Indoor air pollution ranks among the top five environmental risks to public health, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. While many people think of air purifiers or ventilation systems when it comes to improving indoor air quality (IAQ), everyday items like bedding play a surprisingly significant role. Bedding can harbor allergens such as dust mite allergen, pet dander, and mold spores, and may also release chemical emissions from treated fabrics.
This article explores how bedding impacts IAQ, the importance of scientifically tested and certified products, and introduces our Certified bedding partners working to bring better indoor air quality into homes across the country.
How Bedding Affects Indoor Air Quality
Bedding is a major contributor to the air quality in your bedroom. Dust mites, which thrive in the warm, humid environment of bedding, are a significant concern. These tiny creatures, invisible to the naked eye, feed on dead skin cells, making pillows, mattresses, and duvets ideal breeding grounds. The problem lies not just in the mites themselves but in their body parts and waste, which can trigger asthma and allergic reactions. There is a strong association between sensitization to allergens derived from dust mites and conditions including asthma, perennial rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis.
Additionally, chemicals used in the production of bedding can negatively impact IAQ. Many textiles undergo treatments for wrinkle resistance, flame retardancy, and colorfastness, introducing potential irritants into your indoor environment. Formaldehyde, a common chemical used in bedding, is known to irritate the respiratory system and skin, potentially exacerbating asthma symptoms. Azo dyes, which create vibrant colors, can also break down into harmful substances over time.
Given these risks, it is essential to choose bedding products that reduce exposure to dust mites and chemicals. We spend about one-third of our lives in our bedrooms, and many individuals, including children, the elderly, and people managing chronic illness, may spend a good deal more than this.
Effective Bedding and Strategies for Better Indoor Air Quality
One of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality in your bedroom is by using scientifically validated dust-mite-proof encasings for pillows, duvets, and mattresses. These encasings are designed to block dust mites and their allergens from passing through, reducing exposure to these triggers. For maximum effectiveness, it is important to choose encasings made from tightly woven fabrics with an appropriate thread count and pore size to prevent allergens from escaping, while still allowing breathability for comfort during sleep.
Another strategy is to regularly wash your bedding in hot water (130°F / 55°C) to help control dust mite allergens, as well as pet dander and other potential triggers. In addition, selecting high-quality, breathable bedding products that can withstand frequent hot washing and do not contain known irritants is crucial for cultivating a healthier sleep environment.
Laundry detergents also play a role in indoor air quality, so choose a certified or verified detergent. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program subjects laundry detergents to biological, physical, and chemical testing to ensure they are effective in reducing allergens without contributing to poor IAQ.
The Importance of Third-Party Certification
Choosing bedding that is independently tested and verified by third-party organizations is essential to ensure it meets meaningful standards for allergen management and indoor air quality. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program provides this assurance, giving consumers confidence that bedding products have undergone rigorous testing against strict scientific criteria.
Developed by Allergy Standards Limited in collaboration with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program helps consumers identify bedding products that are suitable for people with asthma and allergies. Unlike unregulated terms such as “hypoallergenic,” which can be used without standardized testing, Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification is based on comprehensive, accredited laboratory testing against published, peer-reviewed standards.
How the Certification Program Tests and Certifies Bedding
The certification process for bedding under the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program involves several key tests to ensure the product is effective in reducing allergen exposure and that it does not contain harmful chemicals that could potentially cause allergic reactions. These tests include:
Barrier Testing: Ensures the cover fabric prevents dust mites and allergens from passing through, including testing of seams and zippers for potential weak points.
Allergen Removal: Bedding is seeded with allergens in a controlled environment and then washed to confirm that washing effectively reduces allergen content.
Repeated Washing: Bedding is subjected to multiple washing cycles to ensure it retains its physical integrity and allergen-reducing properties.
Chemical Testing: Fabric and fill materials are tested for residual chemicals such as azo dyes, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other irritant chemicals.
Breathability: The bedding is tested for breathability, ensuring comfort while acting as an allergen barrier.
Our Certified Bedding Partners
Several bedding manufacturers are committed to improving indoor air quality through scientifically tested and Certified products. Our Certified partners have voluntarily submitted their products for independent testing, offering validated products that consumers can trust and empowering shoppers to make informed decisions for healthier indoor environments.
SIJO: Known for their commitment to sustainable, luxurious, and allergy-friendly bedding, SIJO’s bestselling Certified AiryWeight range continues to be a top seller.
National Allergy: A trusted name in allergy relief, National Allergy provides bedding products specifically designed to reduce allergen exposure, helping to improve IAQ in the bedroom.
Wicked Sheets: Specializing in moisture-wicking bedding, Wicked Sheets offers products designed to promote better sleep quality while reducing allergens.
Downlite: Known for their high-quality pillows and bedding, Downlite’s items are made to help minimize allergens in the home.
Allied Home: Still a family-run operation, Allied Home uses the highest quality, innovative, and responsibly sourced materials. Allied Home has been a Certified partner since 2017.
Live Comfortably/ Keeco / Hollander: Keeco, the parent company of Hollander Sleep Products, and recently rebranded as Live Comfortably is one of North America’s largest bedding manufacturers, producing pillows, comforters, and mattress pads sold under a wide range of household brand names. Their participation in the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program reflects a commitment to bringing rigorously tested, allergen-reducing bedding into homes nationwide.
Conclusion
Bedding is one of the most intimate and frequently used components of the home environment, yet it can be a hidden source of allergens and chemical exposure. Dust mites, treated fabrics, and chemical residues can all influence the air we breathe in the bedroom, the room in which we spend a significant portion of our lives.
By choosing Certified bedding from trusted brands like SIJO, National Allergy, Wicked Sheets, Downlite, Allied Home, and Live Comfortably/Keeco/Hollander, you are taking proactive steps toward a healthier, more comfortable home environment. Through independent, science-based testing, the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program helps ensure that products not only meet performance expectations but also support better indoor air quality. As we observe Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, informed choices like these can make a meaningful difference in daily comfort and wellbeing for the millions of people affected by asthma and allergies.