New bedding products to combat dust mite allergies

Recently introduced home textile technology will be of particular interest to allergy sufferers and to all people desiring a healthful night’s sleep. Silver, used for centuries as a bactericide, is now being added to mattress and bedding fabrics to give effective, natural, wash-resistant protection from dust mites and bacteria, as well as from mold, mildew and fungus.

Dust mites trigger allergies and asthma in many people. Studies have shown that more dust mites live in the bedroom than anywhere else in the home. Encasing mattresses and pillows in protective covers has been known for years to be an effective way to reduce dust mite infestation in your bedroom. The least expensive of these covers are made from plastic or vinyl but they tend to trap heat and moisture and so can be uncomfortable for sleeping. Some may also off-gas.

Now there is an alternative to plastic covers. Still relatively new on the market are various types of natural, silver-treated bedding. These include cotton sheets, and pillow covers and cotton/wool-filled cotton mattress covers, impregnated with silver. These new bedding products offer comfortable, natural, anti-microbial, odor- and chemical-free protection from bacteria and dust mites.

Why is silver so effective against bacteria that cause allergic reactions? Silver interrupts a bacteria cell’s ability to form chemical bonds, so bacteria in the presence of silver literally fall apart. Cells in humans and other animals have thick walls that are not disrupted by silver. In this way, silver prevents bacteria growth but is not harmful to humans. Manufacturers have reported that the new silver technology is effective directly against dust mites as well as the bacteria they host.

Silver has long been used to protect against bacteria in certain clothing and in hospitals for surgical tools, needles, catheters, etc. Other antibacterial applications for silver in consumer products include refrigerators, washing machines, humidifiers and vacuum clearers. Silver technology in home textiles is an exciting extension of this remarkable metal’s properties. Watch for more products and applications of silver technology, using this ancient, effective and natural disinfectant.