What Should You Look For When Choosing Pillow Covers and Protectors?

Pillow covers and protectors are essential for your hospitality business. If you want to protect your pillows from dust mites and bed bugs, you definitely need to invest in covers.

We will be looking at how to choose which pillow cover is right for you. There are a variety in the market to choose from,  from waterproof covers, to allergen barriers, and cooling covers.

You will not only be able to offer customers clean and comfortable pillows, but you can also increase the lifespan of bedroom pillows.

An Introduction to Pillow Covers and Protectors

Pillow covers protect your pillows from wear and tear. Pillow protectors keep fluids, moisture, dust mites, bed bugs, and stains from penetrating your pillow.

Their fabric technology offers features that are perfect for health and comfort. Pillow covers are easy to clean and come in many colours, sizes, fabrics, and price ranges.

Wondering what exactly pillow covers can do for your pillows? Here are a few benefits!

Protects Them From Wear and Tear

Pillows are hard to clean regularly due to their heavy material which get holes and irremovable stains over time. Having protectors and covers will keep your pillows looking brand new for longer.

Keeps Spills and Stains Off

There are waterproof covers available and these can protect your pillows against spills, sweat, drool, and stains. They also protect the pillow fill and prevents them from giving off an unpleasant odour. This can happen in the case of down and feather-filled pillows.

Keeps Your Pillows Hypoallergenic

There are variations of pillow covers and protectors made from special fabrics. These protect users from various types of allergens such as dust mites, which are the most common household allergens. Having a waterproof pillow cover will protect your pillows from mould or mildew. At the same time, chemical and pesticide-free covers will reduce skin irritations.

Keeps the Bedbugs Away

If there’s one thing that gives many people sleepless nights, it's bed bugs. They hide in creases in pillows and mattresses where they terrorise your guests.

In this case, choose a pillow cover that will protect the entire pillow with bed bug-proof fabric and zipper. This will keep bed bugs at bay and leave your bedding and rooms infestation-free. There are protectors that are entomology lab-certified and are perfect for such situations.

Keeps Pillow Fill in Place

Down and feather-proof pillow covers are perfect for protecting your pillows from losing their fill, which can make beds messy. In the case of feather-filled pillows, the fill can poke through and come out of the pillowcase, which can be very uncomfortable.

Using a feather pillow with a cover that isn’t feather proof could harm the pillow cover fabric, especially in the case of a waterproof cover. Keep this in mind when considering what type of pillow protector to use.

Pillow Protector Fabrics You Can Choose From

There are various fabrics you can choose from for pillow covers that suit your needs.

Polyester

This is a preferred fabric for pillow protectors because it's not only durable but easy to wash and maintain. It’s also affordable and comes in various styles and textures for customer comfort.

Polyester is available in a variety of textures and styles that are stretchy and flexible for comfort. It dries quickly but doesn’t absorb perspiration as cooling pillow covers do.

Because of this, it’s the perfect fabric because it can easily blend with other fabrics for a more desirable texture and style.

Cotton

If you’re looking for something more natural, then cotton protectors are the best option. This fabric doesn’t contain any chemical or pesticide treatments, which is great for sensitive skin.

The largest drawback, when it comes to cotton pillow covers, is how they crease after wash. They also hold on to allergens like dust mites.

Cotton is more costly, yet the cotton fibres are not as smooth as other natural fibres.

Bamboo

Bamboo pillow protectors are popular because of the soft, comforting fabric. Bamboo fabric is moisture-proof and slows down the growth of odour-causing bacteria. They are a perfect option for those looking for a hypoallergenic option.

Tencel Lyocell

This is an eco-friendly fabric sourced from sustainable resources. Tencel pillow protectors are highly breathable, hypoallergenic, ward off moisture, and limit the growth of odour-causing bacteria. Tencel pillow protectors are a great option for sensitive skin. This is because it’s very soft and smooth, not rough in texture like wool or cotton fibres.

Waterproof Materials

Vinyl or Plastic: Vinyl is waterproof and protects your pillows from liquid and moisture. It’s also a thick material which offers a barrier against bed bugs and dust mites.

There are a few disadvantages to using Vinyl pillow covers:

• It retains heat and gives you a warmer, less comfortable pillow.
• It is not breathable and tends to trap in moisture and sweat.
• A vinyl pillow cover, while easy to clean and very durable, is usually crinkly when moved.

Polyurethane: This is a thin, flexible film that is used to waterproof fabrics. It’s also highly breathable with microscopic pores which allow your pillows to breathe.

These qualities make the pillow cover self-cooling. It also traps liquids while repelling dust, bed bugs and dust mites. Polyurethane is a durable material and is quieter than the vinyl fabric, offering your customer’s adequate rest.

Features to Consider When Buying a Pillow Cover

When purchasing pillow covers and protectors, you need to keep some features in mind. These will help you choose the best option for your business.

Size: You must consider the size of the pillows you wish to protect. Keep in mind that pillow covers need to be fitted, which means you must measure your pillows before making any purchases.

Preference Features: You must consider: fabrics, costs, durability, hypoallergenic features, absorbency, colours, and styles. They should be appealing and effective for your guests.

Comfort: When purchasing pillow protectors, you must keep customer comfort top of mind. Think of features such as self-cooling, breathable, unlikely to cause skin irritations, are noisy when moved, and if they are aesthetically pleasing.

Easy to Wash and Maintain: Pillow protectors should be easily  removable in order to clean them regularly. So consider how easy they are to wash and maintain when purchasing.

In conclusion, pillow covers and protectors, coupled with quality bed linen, are important for giving your guests a great night’s sleep. ALS offers a wide range of pillowcases, pillow protectors and bed linen. We offer a free quote and many different collections to choose from.

Feature Image: Andrea Davis