Stamp Out Heath Issues in 2012 with Smart Sleep Solutions

13 December 2011

Stamp Out Heath Issues in 2012 with Smart Sleep Solutions

Bedbugs, unwashed sheets and dirty toilets are among the biggest hygiene fears of Kiwi travellers, a survey has revealed.

The Travelbug survey of 11,000 New Zealanders, conducted by the Trade Me website, asked people their destination preferences and hotel habits.

32 per cent revealed their biggest hotel hygiene fear was unwashed sheets, followed by an infestation of bedbugs.

“It’s no wonder people are concerned,” says Treasure Vellis, a registered nurse with Protect-A-Bed®, the world’s best-selling mattress protectors. “Skin conditions, asthma and allergies can all be acerbated by our bed environment. When mattresses are not protected with mattress protectors with a built in waterproof barrier , bedbugs and dust mites thrive on a build up of deposits, including dust, skin flakes, hairs, bacteria and mould, which can cause irritation.”

“Each night we lose, on average, up to one litre of moisture via perspiration. This, combined with the two million skin flakes we shed whilst sleeping every night, plus spills, dust and other fluid deposits creates a multitude of bacteria and fungi within our pillows and mattresses,” Vellis explains.

She is urging New Zealanders to take a look at their bed environments in the New Year to improve their health for 2012 and prolong the lifespan of their mattress, and to consider taking waterproof mattress & pillow protector with them when they travel, for their own protection.

“With the hot summer days and humid nights drawing closer, as well as pollen levels set to rise, it’s the ideal time to stamp out any health problems by incorporating smart sleep solutions at home and away,” Vellis explains.

“Frustrating allergies like hay fever, which are prevalent at this time of the year, can make a big difference to our lives yet in most cases making a small change like using a mattress protector can greatly reduce our overall allergic reactions – especially on waking,” she adds.

Mattress protectors stop a build up of nasty allergens, from being absorbed in your mattress, which causes allergic reactions such as sneezing and rhinitis. What’s more they prevent stains from spills, perspiration and other bodily fluids and moisture seeping into your mattress and also act as a barrier to bed bugs and dust mites.

“Close to one third of New Zealanders are allergic to dust mites and 20% of children and 10% of adults are affected by asthma, not to mention the huge numbers of other allergies, which Kiwis suffer from. Good bed hygiene can really make a big difference to the health of a lot of people,” Vellis says.

To create a hygienic bed environment in the New Year follow these simple steps to clean up your bed environment:

• Vacuum and dust regularly
• Invest in quality waterproof mattress and pillow protectors
• Wash sheets frequently
• Air fabrics in direct sunlight to reduce humidity and dehydrate dust mites
• Reduce indoor humidity by using dehumidifiers/air conditioners
• Cover mattresses, quilts and pillows with breathable yet waterproof bedding protectors such as Protect•A•Bed®
• Use hypoallergenic bedding
• Wash bedding monthly in hot water (above 55 degrees) to kill dust mites and remove allergens from fabric
• For wash temperatures 55 degrees, the use of laundry additives such as benzyl benzoate or essential oils of tea-tree and eucalyptus can have a lethal effect on dust mites
• Domestic redesign reduces the available habitat for dust mites and involves the replacement of carpets with vinyl, tiles or bare wooden floors

For more advice on bed hygiene visit www.protectabed.co.nz Protect•A•Bed®. Products are available from Harvey Norman, Baby City, Farmers and all leading bedding retailers.

Protect-A-Bed manufactures the world’s best-selling mattress protectors, which are sold in 28 countries. The company originated in South Africa 31 years ago but has since relocated its base and manufacturing to Australia. Protect•A•Bed® is dedicated to improving the sleep environment for better health and quality of sleep. The range of products includes state-of-the art mattress protectors, full mattress encasements, pillow & quilt protectors and cot/bassinette mattress protectors designed to promote health and hygiene while allowing for allergy-free, comfortable and luxurious sleep.
www.protectabed.co.nz

ENDS

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