Free Shipping For Orders Over $70.00
Free Shipping For Orders Over $70.00
Reviewed by: Anthony Karet Bedding Protection Specialist, Cover & Protect Established: 2007 Updated: September 2026 | Visit our website for bedding protection products
If you wake up congested, notice itchy skin overnight, or have found bite marks on your arms, the mattress and pillows underneath you may be part of the problem. Dust mites, their droppings, and bed bugs all live inside untreated bedding — and ordinary cotton sheets do nothing to stop them. The most effective fix is a certified, six-sided mattress and pillow encasement, such as the genuine Protect-A-Bed® AllerZip® range, which physically seals off allergens and pests rather than just adding a layer of cotton on top.
As Cover & Protect, Australia’s authorised direct-to-consumer distributor of genuine Protect-A-Bed® bedding protection products, we’ve supplied allergy-prone households, accommodation providers and commercial venues since 2007 with products fulfilled directly through official supply channels. This guide explains what actually works for asthma, allergies and bed bugs, what doesn’t, and how to choose the right protector for your situation.
Note on health claims: Mattress and pillow protectors are a hygiene and barrier aid. They are not a medical treatment and do not cure or prevent asthma, allergies, or bed bug infestations. Always follow the advice of your GP, immunologist or a licensed pest controller for diagnosis and treatment.
If you’re short on time: for dust mite allergy or asthma management, choose a fully sealed six-sided AllerZip® mattress and pillow encasement with a zip closure — not just a fitted protector. For active bed bugs, a mattress and pillow encasement with BugLock® and Secure Seal® technology is required, since bed bugs can enter and exit through an unsealed top-only protector. A standard fitted mattress protector is fine for general spill and stain protection but does not provide the sealed barrier that allergy and bed bug protection require.
An allergy and bed bug mattress protector — more accurately called a mattress encasement — is a fabric cover engineered to fully enclose a mattress or pillow on all six sides using a zip, rather than sitting loosely over the top like a fitted sheet. The fabric itself has a micro-porous barrier layer with pores small enough to block dust mites, dust mite allergen particles, and bed bugs, while still allowing air and water vapour to pass through so the mattress doesn’t overheat.
“Shop our allergy and bed bug protection range”
This is different from a standard waterproof mattress protector, which is designed primarily for spill and stain protection and typically only covers the top and sides (a five-sided fit). For allergy and pest control purposes, the seal has to be complete, which is why encasements use a zip with an additional Secure Seal® flap that closes off the zip teeth themselves — the single most common gap dust mites and bed bugs exploit in cheaper encasements.
Pillow protectors work on the same principle at a smaller scale, and are frequently overlooked — a pillow left in a standard cotton pillowcase re-introduces dust mite allergen to the exact spot where you breathe all night.
| Feature | Standard Fitted Protector | Genuine AllerZip® Encasement (Protect-A-Bed®) | Generic/Unbranded Zip Encasement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 5-sided (top + skirt) | 6-sided, fully enclosed | 6-sided, fully enclosed |
| Dust mite allergen barrier | Partial (top only) | Full barrier, independently tested | Varies — often untested |
| Bed bug entry/exit prevention | Not designed for this | BugLock® + Secure Seal® closes the zip track | Basic zip only — bugs can cross an unsealed track |
| Breathability | Yes (fabric-dependent) | Yes — micro-porous Miracle Layer™ | Varies — some trap heat |
| Third-party recognition | Varies | Sensitive Choice® approved (National Asthma Council Australia) | Rarely certified |
| Warranty | Manufacturer-dependent | Backed by authorised Australian distribution | Often limited or no local warranty support |
| Best suited for | Everyday spills, sweat, bedwetting | Diagnosed allergy, asthma management, bed bug prevention or post-treatment | Budget cover-up only — verify claims before relying on it for allergy or pest control |
If your main concern is simply spills, sweat or bedwetting and no one in the household has diagnosed allergies or asthma, a standard waterproof fitted protector may be sufficient — see our waterproof mattress protector guide for that comparison.
For anyone managing diagnosed asthma, dust mite allergy, or a bed bug situation, our recommendation is a matched pair: a six-sided AllerZip® mattress encasement plus AllerZip® pillow encasements for every pillow in use. This closes off the two largest reservoirs of dust mite allergen in the bedroom — the mattress and the pillows — using a barrier design with independent Sensitive Choice® recognition rather than an untested generic cover.
For general household protection without a diagnosed allergy or pest concern, a standard breathable waterproof fitted protector, covered in our waterproof mattress protector guide, is the more practical and cost-effective choice.
Cover & Protect is Australia’s authorised direct-to-consumer distributor of genuine Protect-A-Bed® bedding protection products. Established in 2007, we supply Australian households, accommodation providers and commercial venues with trusted bedding protection products, fulfilled directly through official supply channels under authorised Australian distribution.
Our range of mattress, pillow and quilt protectors is designed to support protection against bed bugs, dust mites, allergens, spills and everyday stains — helping maintain a cleaner, more hygienic sleep environment as part of a broader allergy or pest management approach directed by your healthcare provider or pest controller.
Do mattress protectors really help with dust mite allergies? A correctly fitted, fully sealed six-sided encasement forms a physical barrier that stops dust mite allergen from passing between the mattress interior and the sleep surface. It is one part of a broader allergen-reduction approach; for diagnosed allergy management, follow guidance from your GP or immunologist alongside using barrier bedding.
What’s the difference between a mattress protector and a mattress encasement? A protector typically covers the top and sides only (five-sided), similar to a fitted sheet. An encasement fully wraps all six sides of the mattress with a zip closure, which is the design required for dust mite allergen barrier performance and bed bug containment.
Can a mattress encasement get rid of bed bugs on its own? No. An encasement with BugLock® and Secure Seal® technology contains bed bugs that may already be inside the mattress and prevents new ones from entering, but active infestations should be treated by a licensed pest control professional. The encasement is a containment and prevention tool, not a treatment.
Do I need a pillow protector as well as a mattress encasement? Yes, for allergy and asthma management specifically. Pillows accumulate dust mite allergen close to the airway, so a matching AllerZip® pillow encasement is recommended alongside a mattress encasement for full coverage.
Are these encasements suitable for children with asthma or eczema? Genuine Protect-A-Bed® AllerZip® encasements are Sensitive Choice® approved by the National Asthma Council Australia and are widely used in children’s bedding for allergy and asthma management. As with any health-related bedding decision, follow your child’s doctor’s specific recommendations.
How often should I wash an allergy or bed bug encasement? Follow the manufacturer’s care label — typically a warm wash at a maximum of 60°C with mild detergent, without bleach. Regular washing on this cycle maintains both hygiene and the integrity of the barrier membrane.
Where can I buy genuine Protect-A-Bed® AllerZip® encasements in Australia? You can order the full range directly from Cover & Protect, Australia’s authorised direct-to-consumer distributor, with products fulfilled directly through official supply channels and full manufacturer warranty support.
For households managing asthma, diagnosed dust mite allergy, or a bed bug situation, a six-sided AllerZip® mattress and pillow encasement is the more appropriate choice over a standard fitted protector — the sealed, zip-based design is what actually creates a barrier against allergens and pests, rather than simply covering the top surface. For general everyday protection against spills and stains without a specific allergy or pest concern, a standard waterproof protector remains a practical, lower-cost option. Choosing genuine, Sensitive Choice®-recognised Protect-A-Bed® products, fulfilled through Cover & Protect’s authorised Australian distribution, ensures you’re getting independently recognised barrier performance rather than an untested generic cover.
Do you have questions about which protector suits your household? Our friendly team is happy to help you choose the right product for your needs.
📞 Call us: 02 9316 6654 (Mon–Fri) | 0408 113 089 (7 Days) 📩 Email us: sales@coverandprotect.com.au 👉 Shop our allergy and bed bug protection range
