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Okay I'm going to see if anyone is interested in sharing bits of wisdom we "Elders" - 55 + - have acquired after living more than a half century on this planet.
I hope people will keep these morsels of information and advice short and sweet. If you dispute anything mentioned, please jump in and voice your opinion!
I'll go first:
Something I've learned from someone close to me that was for years in the mattress and bedding business is that it is very important to cover your mattress and pillows with a good quality moisture resistant mattress protector and pillow protectors. Just a sheet and pillow cases are not enough.
The fact is we not only perspire when we sleep, shed human skin and hair particles, but dust mites come to live in our bedding as well. Dust mites cannot live in latex, however, and a layer natural Talalay latex is a good thing to have in your bed if you are not allergic to latex. Human perspiration, body oils, and other fluids - even something as seemingly harmless as accidentally spilled water - contribute to the foams and fibers inside your mattress becoming degraded and spoiled.
You won't see me sleeping on plastic. Pillows are cheap. I toss 'em after a year or so. Mattress covers are washable and I'm fully continent. I only buy flippable mattresses. My current one is 7 years old and still good as new.
What about the padded mattress protectors that most people use? That's not enough?
AND, how can you do much about your pillows other than washing them and using something like a zippered muslin pillow protector?
If the pillow or mattress protector is just cotton or muslin and whether quilted or not moisture will get into it and dust mites will populate your bedding. They must be moisture resistant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by StuffedCabbage
You won't see me sleeping on plastic. Pillows are cheap. I toss 'em after a year or so. Mattress covers are washable and I'm fully continent. I only buy flippable mattresses. My current one is 7 years old and still good as new.
I did not suggest plastic. I hate those plastic ones. The best quality protectors are breathable, won't squeak, and yet are moisture resistant. They have a layer of something like GorTex ... they breath yet liquid cannot pass through them ... and they can be washed in the washing machine, but don't use chlorine bleach.
While on the subject of mattresses and bedding, here is another suggestion: when traveling and staying at hotels and motels, always do a quick inspection to see if there is any evidence of BEDBUGS
... I always pull back the bedspreads and sheets and look in the seams, edges and piping for signs of bedbugs (their favorite hiding place!) or little specks of blood or bug feces. These critters even turn up at the fanciest hotels.
Buy the plastic, zip up pillow covers, keep them in your suitcase. When in a hotel, this assures no nasty pillows.
Also, keep ziplock bags in your suitcase, and put one over the remote control, as they have been shown to be the nastiest thing in hotel rooms. I have read surveys that indicate e-coli is commonly found on hotel remote controls. Of course, you will want to dispose of the ziplock bag when you check out.
If you put your pillows out in the winter when it's below 32F it kills the dust mites. I usually put them out over night and just use spares for that one night.
You can also do that with your mattress cover. Washing doesn't kill them but you can freeze the critters to death.
If you put your pillows out in the winter when it's below 32F it kills the dust mites. I usually put them out over night and just use spares for that one night.
You can also do that with your mattress cover. Washing doesn't kill them but you can freeze the critters to death.
This seems such an excellent idea that I went looking for validation and it's true enough, according to the Mayo Clinic site. Problem is, it's got to be freezer-level temps for 24 hours which doesn't happen enough in area to make the outside thing practical but it turns out 24 hours in my freezer will help.
And they did offer up this, all of which I can do. Well, I won't likely wash my blanket and comforter weekly but I can put them in the dryer.
Quote:
Wash bedding weekly. Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water that is at least 130 F (54.4 C) to kill dust mites and remove allergens. If bedding can't be washed hot, put the items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at a temperature above 130 F (54.4 C) to kill the mites. Then wash and dry the bedding to remove allergens. Freezing nonwashable items for 24 hours also can kill dust mites, but this won't remove the allergens.
Wisdoms
The majority of the things you worry about never happen.
Along with this, hang a copy of the Serenity Payer up somewhere and try to adhere to the premise of it (eliminate the religious context if applicable)
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A word of wisdom
