If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you already know there are plenty of solutions for dust mite allergy — and we’ve covered quite a few of them. In this article, we’ve put together an honest review of the nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow cover for allergy sufferers. Reading about a product’s claimed benefits is one thing — actually trying it out for yourself is quite another. We hope our hands-on review helps you decide whether this pillow cover is worth buying. Let’s get into it.
What is an anti-dust mite pillow cover for?
Do you have that year-round runny nose that never seems to go away? There’s a good chance it’s not just a common cold — it could be allergic rhinitis. If you sneeze at night or upon waking up and the mucus you blow out is clear, dust mites are very likely the culprit. That’s exactly what we dealt with until we switched to anti-dust mite bedding.
An anti-dust mite pillow cover stops dust mites from accumulating and breeding inside your pillow, preventing those unpleasant allergy symptoms from flaring up. The result? Better sleep for you — and everyone around you.
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Anti-dust mite pillow covers come in various materials, each with its own pros and cons. Here’s what you’ll find on the market:
- Waterproof materials – Waterproof covers are cheap and resistant to stains, but they make you sweat more. They also tend to rustle quite a bit, which can wake both you and your partner. While they do block dust mites, their lack of breathability makes them less suitable for allergy and eczema sufferers.
- Densely woven polyester microfibre / densely woven cotton – These covers are more breathable. They can trap dust mites but struggle to block their allergens (faecal particles). You may still notice some rustling when you move around at night.
- Nanofibre materials – Covers made from nanofibres block both dust mites and their allergens. They’re breathable and silent. The trade-off? They cost a bit more.
How does the nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow cover work?
The covers work on the principle of a mechanical barrier. Once you encase your pillow in the anti-dust mite cover, mites already inside can no longer breed. At the same time, no new mites can get in or out. The surface of the breathable textile features a thin layer of Czech-made nanofabric.
This nanofabric is composed of ultra-fine fibres with gaps measuring just 80 to 150 nm between them — far too small for a dust mite to pass through. Compared to competing microfibre and natural materials (which have gaps in the micrometre range), the openings in nanofabric are vastly smaller. A nanometre is 1,000 times smaller than a micrometre.
Our review of the nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow cover
Since effectiveness was our top priority, we went with the nanofibre anti-dust mite pillow cover. It was pricier than covers made from other materials, but we still chose the more budget-friendly option overall. Nanofibre pillows and duvets cost even more yet are equally effective. Keep that in mind.
Packaging
We ordered a pack of 2 nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow covers. They arrived in a square box decorated with a cobweb design, wrapped in sturdy blue paper printed with the manufacturer’s logo and product dimensions.
Inside the box, we found the neatly folded covers, a thank-you note, and instructions on how to use and care for the anti-dust mite pillow cover.
TIP: nanoSPACE anti-dust mite mattress encasement with zip for allergy sufferers
Material quality and stitching
The nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow cover for allergy sufferers is made of 99.9% polyester and 0.1% polyamide 6. The polyester is a microfibre; the polyamide 6 is a nanofibre. That ratio might make you question the cover’s effectiveness, but even such a small percentage of nanofibre is enough to deal with dust mites at full capacity — more on that in a moment.
The cover feels very soft and smooth to the touch. The stitching quality is equally impressive — a testament to skilled Czech craftsmanship. No loose threads anywhere, everything is neatly finished, and the seams hold firmly. The zip glides easily. We particularly appreciated that the manufacturer left it slightly open, so you don’t have to hunt for the starting point and can get straight to fitting the cover.
The material used by nanoSPACE also carries the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification for substance safety. This is an internationally recognised standard for evaluating the safety of textile products and raw materials with regard to potentially harmful substances. In simple terms, it’s proof that you can use this anti-dust mite pillow cover without worry, as it won’t cause any adverse health effects.
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Everyday use
The nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow cover is a protective encasement, not a pillowcase. That means you slip your pillow into the cover first, then put your regular pillowcase on top. Some people may find the extra layer less than ideal.
Worried the pillow might shift around inside the cover? Don’t be. As long as you measure your pillow carefully and choose the right cover size, everything fits snugly with no issues. We went for the 40 × 40 cm cover for the smaller pillow we use when reading, watching TV, or travelling.
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Effectiveness
If, like us, you sleep on a larger pillow (50 × 70 cm) and only occasionally place a smaller anti-dust mite pillow on top, that alone won’t protect you from dust mites. You need to encase all parts of your bedding — including the mattress — in anti-dust mite covers for full protection.
The nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow cover has been tested by the Textile Testing Institute in Brno, the Technical University of Liberec, and the National Institute of Public Health in Prague. That alone speaks volumes. It has been verified to capture ≥ 99.0% of microorganisms and ≥ 99.0% of dust particles, with no negative skin reactions reported upon contact.
We can only confirm these findings from our own experience. Since we also own an anti-dust mite pillow and duvet, we have a good basis for comparison. The nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow cover performs just as effectively as other anti-dust mite bedding products — and it’s “just” a cover. We sleep well through the night, don’t toss and turn, and don’t sneeze.
TIP: Review of the complete year-round anti-dust mite bedding set
Maintenance
You don’t need to wash the nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow cover before first use — just put it straight on your pillow (you’ll still cover it with your regular pillowcase on top; think of it as a dust mite shield). Your pillow itself is a different story, though. The manufacturer recommends washing it at 60 °C first. That temperature kills the dust mites that have been happily living inside it. That said, even if you skip the wash, the mites will eventually die off because the cover cuts them off from their food source — dead skin cells. So washing is really just for your own peace of mind.
After that, simply slip the pillow into the cover and put your regular pillowcase on top. It’s a little extra work the first time, but honestly, it’s nothing that would significantly slow you down.
When it’s time to wash your pillowcase, there’s no need to wash the cover as well. Just wipe it down with a damp cloth or vacuum it. The nanoSPACE anti-dust mite pillow cover only needs washing once a year without fabric softener at 40 °C — or 60 °C if absolutely necessary — using a laundry gel or powder free of chlorine and phosphorus. Don’t tumble dry the cover; let it air dry naturally and don’t iron it.
nanoSPACE Anti-Dust Mite Pillow Cover for Allergy Sufferers
Pros and cons
👍🏻 Proven effectiveness.
👍🏻 Certified material.
👍🏻 Easy maintenance.
👍🏻 Made in the Czech Republic.
👎🏻 Requires putting your own pillowcase over the cover.
👎🏻 The extra layer between the pillow and pillowcase may not suit everyone.
TIP: nanoSPACE anti-dust mite duvet cover for allergy sufferers
About nanoSPACE
NanoSPACE is a Czech company that was the first in the world to manufacture anti-dust mite covers, duvets, and pillows with a nanofibre membrane. On the market since 2012, the company focuses on nanotechnology for everyday life. It develops products that improve quality of life — especially for allergy and asthma sufferers — while maintaining a commitment to environmental sustainability.
