Allergies are one of the great banes of human existence.
The strangest, most frustrating built-in weakness, seasonal and lifetime sufferers from the auto-immune response do not take matters lightly when it comes to allergic reactions, especially when if they're life-threatening.
Yet we underestimate just how debilitating some allergies can be. This is especially the case when it comes to contact and airborne allergens, and how they affect our sleep habits.
Our bodies create and repair cells when we’re hurt, we can fight off infections by producing battle-ready proteins and antibodies and females can grow babies inside of them - but feathers, dust and pollen? It’s all snotty tissues and horrendous sinus pain.
According to Allergy UK, over 60 per cent of the UK population (some 41m people), suffer from a form of allergy. Likewise, a recent study commissioned by bedding retailer Woolroom uncovered that 43 per cent of the public is unaware of the fact that agitating fibres such as feather/down, microfibre and polyester can affect their allergy symptoms.
When the warmer months finally roll around, and the grass is greener than ever and bees are buzzing happily from bloom to bloom, there’s nothing that puts a downer on a lovely spring day more than waking up with a stuffy nose and sore eyes after a poor night’s sleep. Other than popping an antihistamine, there’s a simpler way to stop the sneezing fits: anti-allergy bedding.
What is anti-allergy bedding?
Designed to keep pesky allergens such as pollen and dust mites at bay, anti-allergy bedding is made from various tightly woven, moisture-wicking and antimicrobial fabrics in order to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of sleep.
The most common materials used to produce anti-allergy bedding include organic cotton, bamboo, wool and microfibres.
What material to look for in anti-allergy bedding
Let us break down which of the aforementioned materials works best for certain allergens.
- Organic cotton: a fantastic choice for those with sensitive skin, organic cotton is pesticide-free, hypoallergenic, pigment-free and therefore void of any harmful finishing chemicals such as bleach and formaldehyde. Though hypoallergenic duvets won’t be filled with cotton alone, they are often encased in organic cotton for extra protection against allergens.
- Natural bamboo: another material produced without the addition of any harmful chemicals, bamboo fibres are naturally smooth and round which causes far less irritation to the skin. Though strong and durable, bamboo also moisture-wicking and breathable – making it a suitable material for those with contact allergies that are exacerbated by sweat.
- Silk: bedding fabricated from natural silk is mildew-resistant and moisture-wicking, which means that it won’t absorb nearly as much bacteria into its fibres as traditional bedding. According to mattress retailer Casper, because silkworms spin silk fibres in a cocoon, silk is naturally designed to keep the worm safe from predators like dust mites.
- Tencel: soft as silk but manufactured from the wood cellulose of eucalyptus trees, Tencel is another popular hypoallergenic bedding option. Like bamboo, the naturally softer and rounder fibres result in the production of an ultra-soft, skin-safe fabric which is particularly helpful for those who suffer from skin conditions. Tencel is neither bleached nor dyed and does not produce a static charge, which prevents allergens from clinging to it.
Best anti-allergy bedding at a glance
- Best for skin sensitivites: Panda London 100% Bamboo Bedding - from £99, Panda
- Best for pretty in pink: Truly Blush Bamboo Bedding Set - £70, Truly
- Best for quality craftsmanship and seasonal allergies: Casper Percale Sheet Set - £144.34, Amazon
- Best for textile expertise: Dip & Doze Original Set - £83, Dip & Doze
- Best for ethical eucalyptus silk: Ethical Bedding Bed Sheet Bundle - £169, Ethical Bedding
- Best for hypoallergenic luxury: Soak & Sleep Pure Mulberry Silk Bedding - £560.50, Soak & Sleep
- Best for summer sneezers and comfortable snoozing: M&S Comfortably Cool Tencel™ Rich Duvet Cover - £39.50, M&S
- Best for luxury bedding without the price tag: Sheridan TENCEL™ Lyocell Fibre And Cotton Fitted Sheet - £30, Sheridan
Keep scrolling for a selection of the best anti-allergy bedding on the market for your best night’s sleep yet.
Bamboo
Panda London 100% Bamboo Bedding
Best for: skin sensitivities
Warm and cosy in the winter, ultra-breathable in the summer – bamboo bedding is not only thermoregulating, but it is a fantastic option for those who suffer from skin sensitivity, dermatitis and eczema. Panda London bedding is known for its Egyptian cotton-level softness and quality, which only gets more so with every wash. It is naturally antibacterial, protective against skin irritation and suitable for both hot and cold sleepers.
While third of the price of traditional cotton bedding, hypoallergenic bamboo bedding from Panda has a 320-thread count, which is equivalent to a 1,200-cotton thread count.
Additionally, Panda London uses only sustainably sourced, organically grown bamboo – so you can be sure you’re being as kind to the environment as you are to your body. All Panda bedding and the packaging that it arrives in is 100 per cent plastic free, from the 100 per cent bamboo buttons to the lack of harmful sticky tape atop your parcel.
Buy now £99.00, Panda London
Blush Bamboo Bedding Set
Best for: pretty in pink
Enjoy the delightful colours of spring without the unbearable allergy symptoms thanks to Truly. Naturally cooling, antibacterial and hypoallergenic, this bedding is also made from sustainably sourced bamboo. Mix and match with a range of brightly and pastel-toned hues and shop with the comforting knowledge that your night-time allergy symptoms and irritated skin patches may all but disappear.
Buy now £70.00, Truly
Organic cotton
Percale Sheet Set
Best for: quality craftsmanship and seasonal allergies
Made from 100 per cent organic cotton with a breathable percale weave, these luxurious and value for money sheets from Casper boast a 300-thread count. The tight-knit weave prevents nasty allergens from burrowing into the fibres, while the breathable cotton provides a crisp and cool feel. Perfect for those who suffer with seasonal allergies in the warmer months, these sheets are smooth, sweat-wicking, low-maintenance and get softer with every wash.
Buy now £144.34, Amazon
Dip & Doze Original Set
Best for: textile expertise
These delightful, hypoallergenic sheets from are made from 100 per cent organic and Fairtrade cotton, certified by the SAC. With 180 years of experience in the textile industry, you’re in safe hands when it comes to buying bedding though Dip & Doze. The set contains one duvet cover and two standard size pillowcases, with sheets and larger pillowcases sold separately. Your set also comes in a reusable drawstring bag which is made from the offcuts of production. Handy.
Buy now £83.00, Dip & Doze
Silk
Ethical Bedding Bed Sheet Bundle
Best for: ethical eucalyptus silk
Rather than utilising silk produced by silkworms, Ethical Bedding harvest (not uproot) silk from eucalyptus trees which are grown on sustainably managed, biodiverse farms. The naturally hypoallergenic fibres are processed without any harmful chemicals, while the insect-repelling power of eucalyptus trees prevents the need to use any insecticides before harvest. Available in a trio of earthy tones: white, wheat and grey – your body and soul are sure to be nourished with these delicate, moisture wicking and allergy-busting sheets.
Buy now £169.00, Ethical Bedding
Pure Mulberry Silk Bedding
Best for: hypoallergenic luxury
For the most luxurious of hypoallergenic silk sheets, look no further than Soak & Sleep. Made from pure mulberry silk, you’ll not only be protecting your skin and hair against irritants, but the lustrous satin weave will keep allergens out for good. The temperature-regulating power of silk also helps to keep the skin naturally hydrated, so you’ll be waking up with a fresh glow every morning.
Buy now £560.50, Soak & Sleep
Tencel
Comfortably Cool Tencel™ Rich Duvet Cover
Best for: summer sneezers and comfortable snoozing
Another lightweight bedding option for those who suffer from allergies during the warmer months, this duvet cover is part of the Comfortably Cool range at M&S – meaning that it is sweat-wicking and temperature regulating. Made from 78 per cent lyocell and 22 per cent cotton, this duvet cover also has a 200-thread count to prevent pesky allergens from disrupting your sleep.
Buy now £39.50, M&S
Sheridan TENCEL™ Lyocell Fibre And Cotton Fitted Sheet
Best for: luxury bedding without the price tag
One of Australia's market leaders, Sheridan has been putting quality sheets to bed since 1967. These sheets are crafted from a Tencel and cotton blend, leaving you snoozing between super soft fibres the whole year round. Available in all standard UK bed sizes: single, double, king and super king.
From £30
Buy now £30.00, Sheridan
