When selecting bedding sheets, pillowcases, rugs, or upholstered furniture, you may come across the term "hypoallergenic". Hypoallergenic home products are designed to create a clean, irritation-free environment for you and your family; especially if you're prone to skin allergies or other allergic reactions. But what does hypoallergenic mean? Keep reading to sharpen your understanding of this term and learn how to identify hypoallergenic products.

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What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
What Materials Are Hypoallergenic?
How to Tell if a Material or Upholstery Is Hypoallergenic

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What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

Hypoallergenic is a term coined to describe anything (cosmetics, jewelry, pets, cleaning products, clothing) that causes few-to-no allergy symptoms or allergic reactions like eczema, hives, contact dermatitis, asthmatic reactions, itchy/watery eyes, or swollen skin. In the case of bedding, rugs, furniture upholstery, and other home textiles, something is considered hypoallergenic when it is made of a material that is less likely to attract or collect allergens (typically dust mites, dirt, or mold spores) or when it is made from materials manufactured or treated without certain dyes, chemicals, and substances that could irritate sensitive skin. This next section reviews which materials to choose when you’re trying to incorporate hypoallergenic fabrics into your home.

What Materials Are Hypoallergenic?

Now that we've answered the question, "what does hypoallergenic mean?", let's talk about your hypoallergenic fabric and material options. Below, we highlight common hypoallergenic materials and give you the scoop on which materials are best for your allergy needs.

Important Note:

Even though a material may be considered hypoallergenic, that doesn't necessarily mean it's right for your skin or allergy needs. Steer clear of any fabrics that you know irritate your skin even if they're considered hypoallergenic. A good example of this is anyone with a known irritation to wool, treated leather, or synthetic sheets made of materials like polyester or rayon.

Cotton

Good for Sensitive Skin & Budget-Friendly

Cotton is a great option for hypoallergenic bed sheets, area rugs, furniture upholstery, and other home textiles because it's a natural material (no harsh chemical treatments), it's breathable (great for cooling the skin and preventing moisture build-up), it's gentle (great for keeping sensitive skin happy and rash-free), and it's easy to clean (you can toss it in the washer and put them on delicate, low-heat dry cycles). To add to its charm, cotton is typically the most budget-friendly of the natural materials included in this list.

Tip!

Make sure a product is 100% cotton for the best results. Some cotton blends have synthetic components that could cause skin irritation.

Linen

Good for Sensitive Skin & Moisture-Resistant

Linen is another hypoallergenic natural material that's been used for clothing, furniture, and bedding for centuries – it was even used to dress wounds! So it's no wonder it's a go-to choice for hypoallergenic sheets. It has a soft, breathable weave that's tight enough to keep dust mites from getting in, yet loose enough to help absorb and evaporate moisture (so no more waking up sweaty or worrying about mold spores). You can either handwash or machine-wash linen (on a delicate cycle) in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Then air-dry the linen. The best part? Linen will last for years and will only get softer with time.

Tip!

Review What Is Linen Made of & What Makes It So Luxurious? for more information on this hypoallergenic material. Torn between cotton and linen? Check out Comparing Cotton vs. Linen Sheets for Everyday Comfort.

Silk

Good for Dry Skin & Repelling Dust Mites

All natural silk fabric is an ideal hypoallergenic option for anyone who has dry skin conditions like eczema or anyone who's allergic to dust mites. This is because it features a tight weave that makes it ultra-soft and smooth to the touch (no skin irritation or dryness). This tight weave also means that dust mites are unable to get through or attach to the fabric! When it comes to cleaning silk fabric, we strongly recommend reviewing the care tag. However, this fabric should either be handwashed in cold water with a gentle, bleach-free detergent or put on a delicate wash cycle in a protective laundry bag. Hang and air-dry out of direct sunlight.

Tip!

Read The Benefits of a Silk Pillowcase to discover even more advantages of going with silk beyond allergy relief.

Microfiber

Good for Breathability & Repelling Dust-Mites

Microfiber is a synthetic material that's made up of polyester and other synthetic materials. It strikes the perfect balance for a hypoallergenic fabric because it has a tight enough weave to keep out dust mites, pet dander, bacteria, or pollen, while also being porous enough to absorb and evaporate moisture for a breathable feel. Because it's synthetic, microfiber is usually the most budget-friendly option for hypoallergenic rugs, furniture, or sheets. You can machine-wash and dry microfiber items so long as you opt for cool–warm wash settings, mild detergent, and a low-heat drying cycle.

Need more help deciding? Check out What Is Microfiber? for an overview of this material.

Important Note:

Keep in mind that microfiber is a synthetic material. Be sure to check the product tag for specific dyes or chemicals if you know you're allergic to polyester or other synthetic materials.

Wool

Good for Preventing Mold, Fungus, & Moisture Build-up

Most wool blankets and other home textiles are manufactured to leave out a natural property – lanolin – that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. This results in an itch-free soft fabric that's perfect for blankets, pillows, or floor coverings. Wool fabric is hypoallergenic because it absorbs and evaporates moisture before it has time to settle into the fabric. These moisture-wicking properties mean no fungus, mold, or bacterial growth. The lack of moisture build-up also dissuades dust mites! When it comes to cleaning wool fabric, you want to stick to cold water and mild detergent. You can handwash or wash it on a delicate wash cycle. Hang out of direct sunlight to dry.

Tip!

Get more cleaning and care tips for wool in Cleaning 101: How to Wash a Wool Blanket.

Leather

Prevents the Trapping of Allergens & Easy to Clean

Leather is a smart hypoallergenic material for furniture upholstery because it has an impermeable construction that prevents dust mites, pollen, pet hair, and moisture from getting trapped in the material. Not to mention, it's incredibly easy to clean. Just wipe leather furniture with a damp cloth to rid it of dust particles, pollen, or pet dander. Just make sure you choose genuine leather, as faux-leather alternatives may include synthetic chemicals you could be allergic to. You can still have a skin reaction to genuine leather if you are allergic to dimethyl fumarate (DMF), which is a chemical treatment leather undergoes during the tanning process to prevent moisture or fungal issues.

Read over Cleaning 101: How to Clean a Leather Sofa for specific tips and tricks for keeping leather clean and pristine.

How to Tell if a Material or Upholstery Is Hypoallergenic

As we touched on in the above section, just because a material is known to be hypoallergenic doesn't necessarily mean that it's right for your skin and allergy needs. Follow these steps to help you make an informed decision on hypoallergenic home textiles.

1. Identify the Fabric Material

When trying to determine if bed sheets, rugs, or furniture upholstery is hypoallergenic, the best place to start is with the material itself. Search for fabrics that are known to be hypoallergenic (like the ones mentioned above). Consider which allergens you are the most sensitive to and use that knowledge to search for appropriate product materials. For example, cotton is super breathable, which keeps it from holding onto moisture. This makes cotton less likely to collect mold spores or potential bacteria. In contrast, silk has a tight weave and a fine composition, which makes it unattractive for dust mites. Focus on the materials that help to repel or limit the allergens that affect you for the best results.

2. Reference the Product Description

When trying to determine if a product is hypoallergenic on Wayfair's site, you can find information under the "Product Description" on a product's page. You can also search by whether a product is dust mite-resistant or antimicrobial. This does not necessarily guarantee a product is hypoallergenic, but it does showcase which products are designed to prevent allergens from accumulating (like the development of fungus/bacteria and dust mites).

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