Quick Answer: For allergy and asthma sufferers, the mattress itself is less important than what you put around it. An allergen-proof encasement over a Restonic ComfortCare mattress ($1,619 for queen) blocks dust mites, pet dander, and mould spores from reaching your breathing zone. Innerspring mattresses with open coil structures also harbour fewer allergens than solid foam because they support better airflow and less moisture retention.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 12 minutes
The Bedroom Allergen Problem
You spend roughly 2,500 hours per year in your bed. Your face is pressed into or hovering just above the mattress surface for every one of those hours. If your mattress harbours allergens, you are breathing them in at close range for a third of your life. For the estimated 8.4 million Canadians with allergies and the 3.8 million with asthma (Asthma Canada, 2024), the bedroom is often the single most impactful environment to control.
The good news: you do not need to buy a "special" allergy mattress. You need a quality mattress, proper encasements, and a sensible bedroom hygiene routine. The marketing around "hypoallergenic" mattresses often overpromises and underdelivers. Let us separate what actually works from what is just labelling.
Allergen Exposure During Sleep
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2019) measured allergen concentrations in bedrooms and found that mattresses contain 100,000 to 10 million dust mites and their waste products. The study found that allergen-proof encasements reduced airborne dust mite allergen levels by 89-95% at the sleeping surface, making them the single most effective bedroom intervention for allergic rhinitis and asthma management.
8 min read
Dust Mites: What You Need to Know
Dust mites are the primary bedroom allergen for most people. They are microscopic arthropods that feed on dead skin cells, and they thrive in warm, humid environments. Your mattress is their ideal habitat.
Key Facts
- It is not the mites, it is their waste: The allergen is a protein found in dust mite faecal pellets (Der p 1 and Der f 1). Each mite produces about 20 faecal pellets per day. These particles are light enough to become airborne when you move on the mattress.
- They need moisture: Dust mites absorb water from the air. They thrive above 50% relative humidity and cannot survive below 40%. Canadian winters (with indoor heating) naturally reduce humidity, which is why many allergy sufferers feel better in winter.
- They live in the top layers: Most dust mites concentrate in the top 2-3 centimetres of the mattress, where moisture from your body, dead skin cells, and warmth create ideal conditions.
- You cannot eliminate them entirely: Even in a spotless home, dust mites exist. The goal is to reduce their population and block your exposure to their allergens, not to achieve a mite-free bedroom.
What Does Not Work
- Vacuuming the mattress: Standard vacuums cannot reach mites embedded in mattress layers. HEPA vacuums capture surface allergens but do not reduce mite populations inside the mattress.
- Sunlight exposure: UV light kills surface mites but cannot penetrate mattress layers. Not practical for full mattress treatment.
- "Antibacterial" sprays: Mites are not bacteria. Antibacterial products do not affect them. Some spray products actually add moisture, which helps mites.
Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "I get customers who want to buy a whole new mattress because of allergies. Sometimes that is the right call, especially if the old mattress is years old and never had a protector. But often, adding a proper allergen encasement to an existing mattress, or pairing one with a new Restonic, solves the problem at a fraction of the cost."
Mattress Types and Allergen Resistance
No mattress is truly "hypoallergenic" in the sense of being allergen-free. But some designs are inherently more resistant to allergen buildup than others.
| Mattress Type | Dust Mite Resistance | Mould Resistance | Airflow | Overall for Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocketed coil (innerspring) | Moderate (open structure less hospitable) | Good (airflow prevents moisture) | Excellent | Good, especially with encasement |
| Memory foam | Good (dense foam limits penetration) | Poor (retains moisture) | Poor | Mixed (blocks mites but traps moisture) |
| Natural latex | Very good (naturally resistant) | Very good (antimicrobial) | Good (open-cell structure) | Excellent (caution: latex allergy) |
| Hybrid (coils + foam) | Moderate to good | Good | Good | Good all-around |
Important Note on Latex
Natural latex is naturally antimicrobial and dust mite resistant, making it one of the best materials for allergy sufferers. However, approximately 1-6% of the general population has a latex allergy. If you are allergic to latex (often cross-reactive with banana, kiwi, and avocado allergies), latex mattresses are obviously not appropriate. The Restonic Revive Tiffany and Jasmine models contain Talalay Copper Latex. If you have a known latex sensitivity, we can steer you toward latex-free alternatives.
Allergen-Proof Encasements
This is the single most effective action you can take. An allergen-proof encasement completely wraps the mattress, creating a barrier between you and whatever lives inside.
How Encasements Work
Allergen-proof encasements use tightly woven fabric (pore size under 6 microns) that blocks dust mite allergens, pet dander, mould spores, and other particles while still allowing air and water vapour to pass through. They zip fully closed, sealing the mattress inside.
What to Look For
- Pore size under 6 microns: Dust mite allergen particles (Der p 1) average 10-20 microns. A fabric with pores under 6 microns blocks them completely.
- Full encasement (six-sided): A top-only protector leaves five sides exposed. Full encasement covers the entire mattress.
- Zipper with allergen flap: The zipper is the encasement's weak point. A fabric flap that covers the zipper teeth prevents allergens from escaping through the zipper.
- Breathable membrane: Non-breathable encasements (vinyl or thick polyurethane) trap heat and moisture. Look for breathable options that maintain mattress airflow.
- Machine washable: Encasements should be washed every 1-3 months in hot water (60C/140F minimum to kill mites) and dried on high heat.
Encasement Effectiveness
A Cochrane Review (2022 update) examined the evidence for allergen-proof encasements and found that when used as part of a multi-component allergen reduction strategy (encasements + humidity control + regular hot-water washing of bedding), they produced clinically significant reductions in asthma symptoms and medication use. The review noted that encasements alone produced modest benefits, but in combination with other measures, they were the foundation of effective bedroom allergen control.
Asthma-Friendly Bedroom Setup
The mattress is one component of a complete asthma-friendly bedroom. Here is the full system:
Bedding Hierarchy
- Allergen-proof mattress encasement: Fully sealed, washed quarterly
- Allergen-proof pillow encasements: Same specifications as mattress encasement
- Hot-washable sheets and pillowcases: Washed weekly at 60C minimum
- Hypoallergenic duvet or blanket: Synthetic fills are washable; down can harbour allergens unless encased
- Allergen-proof duvet cover: Optional but adds another barrier layer
Bedroom Environment
- Humidity control: Maintain bedroom humidity between 30-50% using a dehumidifier in summer and monitoring humidity in winter (when heating can drop it below 20%, which is too dry for comfort but does suppress mites)
- HEPA air purifier: A bedroom-sized HEPA purifier reduces airborne allergens. Place it near the bed but not directly facing the mattress (which can stir up settled particles)
- Hard flooring: Carpet harbours dust mites. If possible, use hard flooring in the bedroom with washable rugs
- No pets on the bed: Pet dander is a major allergen. If pets sleep in the bedroom, at minimum keep them off the bed and use allergen-proof encasements
- Regular dusting: Use damp cloths (dry dusting spreads allergens into the air)
Dorothy, Sleep Specialist: "When someone with asthma comes in, I walk them through the whole bedroom system, not just the mattress. The mattress is the biggest item, but the encasement, pillows, bedding, and room environment all work together. We sell the mattress and protector; your allergist handles the medication side. Together, it is a solid plan."
Antimicrobial Features: What Works
Many mattresses are marketed with "antimicrobial" features. Here is what is actually effective versus marketing:
Genuinely Useful
- Copper-infused materials: Copper has documented antimicrobial properties. The Restonic Revive Tiffany and Jasmine models use Talalay Copper Latex, which provides both natural antimicrobial action and the inherent dust mite resistance of latex. This is a real, material-science-based benefit.
- Natural wool: Wool is naturally resistant to dust mites (lanolin is a mild repellent), mould, and bacteria. The Restonic Luxury Silk and Wool uses wool in its comfort layer for temperature regulation and natural antimicrobial properties.
- Natural latex: Latex contains proteins that are naturally antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites and mould.
Marketing Overpromises
- Silver-infused fabrics: Silver has antimicrobial properties in lab settings, but the amount used in mattress covers is often insufficient for meaningful real-world effect. The benefit diminishes with washing.
- "Antibacterial" foam treatments: Chemical treatments applied to foam surfaces may have short-term antibacterial effects, but they wear off and do not address dust mites (which are arthropods, not bacteria).
- "Hypoallergenic" labelling: There is no regulated standard for "hypoallergenic" in Canada's mattress industry. Any manufacturer can use the term. It may mean the materials are less likely to cause reactions, or it may mean nothing.
Brantford Allergy Resources
Brantford allergists and the Brant Community Healthcare System can provide allergy testing to identify your specific triggers before you invest in bedroom modifications. If dust mites are confirmed as a trigger, your allergist may specifically recommend mattress and pillow encasements. At Mattress Miracle, we can provide the encasements and match you with a mattress that supports your allergy management plan.
Certifications That Matter
When shopping for allergy-friendly bedding, these third-party certifications have real meaning:
- CertiPUR-US: Certifies that foam components are free of heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, and meet VOC emission standards. All Restonic foams are CertiPUR-US certified. This matters for chemical sensitivity but also for general indoor air quality.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Tests textiles for harmful substances including pesticides, heavy metals, and allergenic dyes. Relevant for mattress covers and bedding fabrics.
- Asthma Canada Certification: Products certified by Asthma Canada meet specific criteria for allergen reduction. Look for this on encasements and bedding.
- AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) Certified: Similar to the Canadian program, verifies products meet allergen reduction standards.
Brantford Allergy-Friendly Options
At Mattress Miracle, here is what we recommend for allergy and asthma management:
Allergy-Friendly Picks
- Restonic ComfortCare Queen ($1,619): 1,222 pocketed coils with excellent airflow. CertiPUR-US certified foams. Pair with an allergen-proof encasement for complete protection. Our best all-around value for allergy sufferers.
- Restonic Luxury Silk & Wool ($2,395): Natural wool comfort layer (inherently antimicrobial and dust mite resistant). 884 zoned coils. Temperature-regulating natural fibres. Best for those who want natural antimicrobial properties built into the mattress.
- Restonic Revive Tiffany/Jasmine ($2,995): Talalay Copper Latex (antimicrobial, dust mite resistant, naturally hypoallergenic). 1,188 coils. Best for allergy sufferers who want maximum built-in antimicrobial features. Note: not suitable for those with latex allergies.
- Allergen-Proof Encasements: Full six-sided encasements with allergen-blocking weave and zipper flap. Available for all mattress sizes. Machine washable.
- Pillow Protectors: Matching allergen-proof encasements for pillows. Often overlooked but equally important, as your pillow is closer to your nose than the mattress.
Talia, Showroom Specialist: "I have seasonal allergies myself, so I understand the frustration. When I set up my own bed, I used a Restonic ComfortCare with a full encasement and allergen-proof pillow covers. The difference in my morning congestion was noticeable within a week. It is a simple change that makes a real difference."
Frequently Asked Questions
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Call 519-770-0001What is the best mattress for dust mite allergies?
Any quality mattress paired with an allergen-proof encasement effectively blocks dust mite allergens. The encasement is more important than the mattress type. That said, innerspring mattresses with good airflow (like the Restonic ComfortCare with 1,222 pocketed coils) create a less hospitable environment for mites than solid foam. Natural latex is inherently dust mite resistant but is not suitable for those with latex allergies.
Is "hypoallergenic" a regulated term for mattresses in Canada?
No. There is no Canadian regulatory standard that defines "hypoallergenic" for mattresses. Any manufacturer can use the term. Instead of relying on this label, look for specific third-party certifications (CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX) and use allergen-proof encasements, which have documented effectiveness regardless of the mattress underneath.
How often should I wash mattress encasements?
Wash allergen-proof mattress encasements every 1-3 months in hot water (60C/140F minimum). Hot water kills dust mites and removes accumulated allergens. Dry on high heat. Wash pillow encasements monthly. Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly in hot water. This washing schedule, combined with the encasement, provides the most effective allergen reduction.
Does an antimicrobial mattress eliminate the need for encasements?
No. Antimicrobial properties (copper infusion, natural latex, wool) reduce bacterial and mould growth within the mattress material, but they do not create a complete barrier against dust mite allergens on the sleeping surface. An allergen-proof encasement blocks 89-95% of dust mite allergens from reaching your breathing zone. Use both for maximum protection.
Does Mattress Miracle carry allergy-friendly bedding products?
Yes. We carry allergen-proof mattress and pillow encasements, CertiPUR-US certified mattresses, and models with natural antimicrobial materials (copper latex, wool). Visit our Brantford showroom at 441 1/2 West Street or call (519) 770-0001. We can help you build a complete allergy-friendly sleep setup.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.