How to Make Dust Mites Pillow Covers

Dust-mite pillow covers stand as a first line of defense against dust-mite exposure.

Dust mites present a cleaning challenge, especially to those individuals who suffer from allergies. Mites live off dead cells and dander found in bedding, pillows and carpeting, and are so tiny they can only be seen through a microscope.Their droppings trigger allergy and asthma attacks. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reports that 10 percent of all Americans are allergic to dust mites. Covering bed pillows with a dust mite covers helps eliminate dust mites' food sources.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring Tape
• Paper
• Pencil
• Fabric (Cotton, Tricot or Vinyl)
• Scissors
• Straight Pins
• Sewing Thread
• Needle
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Zipper

Instructions

1. Measure with a tape measure the length and width of the pillow to be covered. Add two inches to these numbers to allow for seam allowance. Record these measurements.

2. Choose cotton, tricot or vinyl for the dust-mite cover. Purchase enough fabric to make two panels using the measurements for the length, width and seam allowance of the pillow. Purchase a zipper that is the same length as the narrow end of the pillow.

3. Measure and mark rectangles based on the measurements of the pillows on the new fabric. Cut two panels.

4. Pin the two panels of fabric together wrong-side out using straight pins.

5. Sew using a straight stitch the narrow end opposite to where the zipper opening will be placed.

6. Sew the side seams. Trim all excess sewing threads. Remove all straight pins.

7. Turn the dust mite cover right side out.

8. Pin the zipper in place along the narrow edge of the cover that has not yet been sewed. Sew zipper into dust mite cover. Cut off excess sewing thread and remove pins.

9. Unzip pillow cover and place pillow inside dust mite cover.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose cotton as the fabric for the dust mite pillow cover, pre-wash the fabric before measuring and cutting the fabric. This will pre-shrink the cotton before you make the pillow cover and help ensure that it remains the intended size.

References

• Environmental Health and Safety Online: Dust Mites
• ACAAI: House Dust Allergy

Resources

• Dust Mites: Managing Allergies
• University of Nebraska, Lincoln: Managing House Dust Mites