Dust Buggies educate consumers about mites
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, June 5, 2006
Bala Cynwyd, Pa. — Dust Buggie No. 2,000,001 looks kind of cute, at first glance.
The stuffed mite has brown eyes, a furry coat and eight legs. Protect-A-Bed uses him as a promotional tool to call attention to the not-co-cute problems created by dust mites.
He comes with a hangtag that tells some sobering facts: "Although many people credit pollen and animal dander with triggering allergies, dust mites are the primary cause of year-round allergies and asthma. Nearly 10% of the population is affected. Dust mites feed on flakes of human skin; and the proximate cause of allergic reactions is a protein found in their droppings. (Each mite produces several thousand over the course of its 4–5 month life — and millions of mites inhabit the average house!)."
The situation sounds grim, but there is hope, Protect-A-Bed says. Washing sheets and clothes regularly in hot water can kill large numbers of dust mites, and dehumidifiers can also help.
"Because dust mites are particularly prevalent in pillows and beds, anti-allergenic covers can often provide significant relief," the company added. And regular vacuuming is also essential.
Protect-A-Bed, based here, manufactures a line of mattress and pillow protection products designed to keep dust mites at bay. It covers its protection products with 100% cotton Terry toweling and a waterproof polyure-thane film backing that acts as a barrier.
The pillow and mattress protectors are made of what the producer calls a "new age, breathable fabric." They repel liquids like urine and sweat, but are breathable much like the human skin, according to Protect-A-Bed.
The protectors are washable by machine at high temperatures and can be tumbled-dry at medium temperatures. The polyure-thane laminate can withstand in excess of 200 washes.
The Protect-A-Bed story dates back to 1980, when the product was developed and introduced in South Africa. In 2000, Protect-A-Bed North America, a U.S. corporation, introduced the product into the American market under the Protect-A-Bed brand name.
Early in 2004, Protect-A-Bed established operations in the Midwest to meet its growing distribution needs in the U.S. Protect-A-Bed's principals are Clive Goldin, Lawrence Hirson and James Bell.
"The success of Protect-A-Bed has been the absolute commitment of all our associates, sales personnel, trainers, customer service personnel and office staff to complete customer satisfaction," said Bell, CEO. Product quality, which Bell described as "superb," has been another key to success, he said.
Protect-A-Bed set out "to make a product which would help to provide a perfect, healthy and comfortable sleep. After much expense, trial and error, and research and development, the Protect-A-Bed premium product in its present form was created," he said.
Retails range from $59 to $89 for mattress protection products.
Protect-A-Bed says it creates "a healthy sleep zone solution" for consumers who use its products.
