A hypoallergenic pillowcase is one sold for people who react to dust, fibers or skin irritants. The word is a marketing term, so the fabric, the zipper and how often you wash the case do more than the label.
This guide covers what the FDA, NIEHS and NHS say, how the common pillowcase fabrics differ, what to check before you buy, and ten products to compare.
General information, not medical advice; see a doctor if you have allergy or skin symptoms that are severe, ongoing or getting worse.
Hypoallergenic pillowcase basics
- The FDA says no federal standards or definitions govern the term hypoallergenic on cosmetics. Treat the word the same way on a pillowcase and look at the fabric and care label.[1]
- The NIEHS says dust mites cannot be completely eliminated, but you can lower their number by washing all bedding weekly in hot water, 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and encasing pillows in allergen-impermeable covers.[2]
- A pillowcase is not a sealed cover. A zippered protector goes under it, and four products here are protectors rather than pillowcases.
- The NHS names house dust mites among the common allergens and says to see a GP if you think you or your child has an allergy.[3]
- Silver on fabric is a treated-article claim. The EPA says it covers protection of the article and not of the user.[4]
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAUNNA Cotton | Pillow protector | Cotton | Standard 20 x 26 in | Machine washable |
| 2 | DMI Classic | Pillow protector | – | Standard 20 x 26 in | Machine washable |
| 3 | Homtec Cotton Percale | Pillowcase | Cotton percale | Standard/Queen 20 x 30 in | Machine washable |
| 4 | Ethos Natura Eucalyptus Tencel | Pillowcase | Tencel lyocell | Standard | – |
| 5 | Precoco Silky | Pillowcase | Cotton | Standard | Machine washable |
| 6 | Clean Skin Club Silver Ion | Pillowcase | Plant-based fabric with silver ion | Standard | Machine washable |
| 7 | Aller-Ease Protector | Pillow protector | – | Standard/Queen | Machine washable |
| 8 | SureGuard Hypoallergenic | Pillow protector | Cotton terry | Standard 21 x 27 in | Machine washable |
| 9 | CGK Unlimited Soft | Pillowcase | – | Queen | Machine washable |
| 10 | Lyshin Silk | Pillowcase | Mulberry silk | Standard | – |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
What Hypoallergenic Means for a Pillowcase
The FDA says the term hypoallergenic means whatever a particular company wants it to mean, and that manufacturers of cosmetics sold as hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation. The same agency page says dermatologists give the term very little meaning.[1]
What you can check is the fabric and the weave, the closure, and the care label.
- Washability – The NIEHS advises washing all bedding weekly in hot water, so a case that survives a hot wash is easier to keep clean.[2]
- Tight Weave – Percale and sateen are both tight weaves, and polyester microfiber is tightly woven by nature.
- Plain Fabric – A plain cotton, silk or Tencel case adds no treatment to the fabric.
- Treatment – Silver-ion cases carry a treatment. The EPA says the treated-article rules cover protecting the article, not the user.[4]
Pillowcase Fabrics Compared
- Cotton Percale – A crisp, matte weave that is easy to wash and holds up to hot water.
- Cotton Sateen – A smoother, glossier weave of cotton, a little less crisp than percale.
- Tencel Lyocell – A plant-based fiber from wood pulp, here from eucalyptus, with a silky finish.
- Mulberry Silk – A smooth natural fiber. Momme is its weight, and silk usually needs gentle care.
- Microfiber – A polyester fabric that is soft and washes easily.
- Silver-Ion Fabric – A plant-based fabric infused with silver ions for odor control.
Pillowcase or Pillow Protector
A pillowcase slips over the pillow, and most are open at one end. A protector is a zippered cover that seals the pillow, and it goes under the pillowcase. The NIEHS and EPA both recommend dust-proof covers for pillows if you are managing a dust mite allergy.[2]
Four products here, the FAUNNA, DMI Classic, AllerEase and SureGuard, are zippered protectors rather than pillowcases. If you want one, see our guide to pillow protectors.
How to Choose a Hypoallergenic Pillowcase
- Fabric – Pick cotton, Tencel or silk if you want plain fabric, or microfiber for easy care.
- Care – Check whether the label allows a hot wash.
- Size – Match the case to the pillow: Standard, Queen or King.
- Set – Two or more cases let you rotate while one is in the wash. Several here come in sets of two.
- Certifications – OEKO-TEX and BSCI are independent labels for materials and production. They do not make a case allergy-proof.
- Budget – Cotton and microfiber cost least, and silk and Tencel cost more.
How We Chose These Pillowcases
These picks come from desk research. We compared product details such as materials, size, care and certifications. We did not test the pillowcases ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Fabric – Cotton, Tencel, silk, microfiber or silver-ion.
- Closure – Open, envelope or hidden zipper.
- Type – Pillowcase or zippered protector.
- Size and Pack – Standard, Queen or King, and number in the set.
- Care – Label washing directions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Hypoallergenic Pillowcases
- What does hypoallergenic mean on a pillowcase?
The FDA says no federal standards or definitions govern the term on cosmetics, and the term means whatever a company wants it to mean.[1] Check the fabric and care label instead. - How do I keep a pillowcase allergen-free?
The NIEHS advises washing bedding weekly in hot water, 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.[2] - Is a pillowcase enough to block dust mites?
No. The NIEHS advises encasing pillows in dust-proof or allergen-impermeable covers, and a pillowcase does not seal the pillow.[2] - Does silver in a pillowcase help allergies?
The EPA says a treated article is treated to protect the item itself, and that such claims do not protect users against germs.[4] - Which fabric is best for sensitive skin?
No fabric is guaranteed. Plain cotton, Tencel and silk add no treatment, and a smooth weave feels gentler on many people. - When should I see a doctor?
The NHS says to see a GP if you think you or your child has an allergy.[3]
Our Picks: Hypoallergenic Pillowcases
Here are ten products to compare by fabric, type and size. We hope you love the products we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
FAUNNA® Cotton 600 Thread Count Cotton Pillow Protectors, 4 Pack
Currently unavailable
The FAUNNA is a four-pack of zippered pillow protectors, 20 x 26 inches, made from 600 thread count 100% cotton, so it is a protector rather than a pillowcase.
- The cotton is OEKO-TEX certified and the zipper is silent and rust-proof.
- It is sold in sets of two, four and six, and it is machine washable.
2
DMI® Classic Zippered Pillow Covers, Set of 2
Currently unavailable
The DMI Classic is a set of two zippered pillow protectors, 20 x 26 inches, in white.
- It encases the pillow with a double-stitched zipper, so it is a protector and not a pillowcase.
- Machine wash it; the fabric is fade-resistant.
3
Homtec® Cotton Percale Cotton Percale Pillowcase Set
Currently unavailable
The Homtec is a set of two pillowcases, 20 x 30 inches, made from 100% cotton in a 200 thread count percale weave.
- The cases have an open closure and are pre-shrunk.
- They are OEKO-TEX and BSCI certified.
4
Ethos Natura® Eucalyptus Tencel Eucalyptus Tencel Lyocell Pillowcases, 2 Pack
Currently unavailable
The Ethos Natura is a set of two Standard size pillowcases made from 100% eucalyptus Tencel lyocell in a sateen weave, in white.
- Tencel lyocell is a plant-based fiber, and the sateen weave gives it a silky sheen.
5
Precoco® Silky Cotton Pillowcases With Hidden Zipper, Set of 2
Currently unavailable
The Precoco is a set of two Standard size pillowcases made from 100% cotton with a hidden zipper.
- The zipper closes the case, which keeps the pillow tucked in.
- The fabric is stain, fade and wrinkle resistant.
6
Clean Skin Club® Silver Ion Silver-Ion Infused Pillowcases, Set of 2
Currently unavailable
The Clean Skin Club Silver Ion is a set of two Standard size pillowcases made from a plant-based fabric infused with silver ions, in blue.
- Silver treatment on fabric is regulated as a treated article, so it protects the case and not you.
- The set is machine washable.
7
Aller-Ease® Protector Zippered Allergy Pillow Protectors, 4 Pack
Currently unavailable
The AllerEase is a four-pack of Standard/Queen zippered pillow protectors made from a soft, tightly woven fabric.
- The zipper encases the pillow, so this is a protector and not a pillowcase.
- The fabric is breathable and machine washable.
8
SureGuard® Hypoallergenic Zippered Cotton Terry Pillow Protectors, Set of 2
Currently unavailable
The SureGuard is a set of two waterproof zippered Standard size pillow protectors with a cotton terry surface, so it is a protector and not a pillowcase.
- The zipper is built to seal the pillow in, and the set comes with a 10-year guarantee.
9
CGK Unlimited® Soft Queen Pillowcases, Set of 2
Currently unavailable
The CGK Unlimited is a set of two Queen size pillowcases, made to fit 20 x 26 and 20 x 30 inch pillows.
- The set is machine washable.
- The product title does not state the fabric, so check it before you buy.
10
Lyshin® Silk 19 Momme Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
Currently unavailable
The Lyshin is a Standard size pillowcase made from 19 momme mulberry silk with a hidden zipper, in champagne.
- Momme is the weight measure for silk, and 19 is a mid-weight silk.
- Silk has a smooth surface and usually needs gentle washing.
Index Table: Hypoallergenic Pillow Cases
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Hypoallergenic” Cosmetics. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). Dust Mites and Cockroaches. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Allergies. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Consumer Products Treated with Pesticides. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around FDA, NIEHS, NHS and EPA guidance, removed the unsupported claims on skin, hair, sleep length and mite-resistant fabric, replaced the dead NHS and FTC links, rewrote all ten product notes, corrected the Key Specs (the FAUNNA, DMI, AllerEase and SureGuard entries are pillow protectors), and added a disclaimer line, a takeaways box, How We Chose and an FAQ
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: LBRO2M Microfiber Cases with DMI Classic Pillowcase; Linenspa Cooling Barrier with Homtec Cotton Percale Pillowcase; ZENLUSSO Bamboo Cases with Ethos Natura Eucalyptus Tencel Pillowcase; FeelAtHome Cooling Case with Clean Skin Club Silver Ion Pillowcase; LanJia Grey Pillowcase with Lyshin Silk Pillowcase
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Aug 2020: Added Aller-Ease Protector Pillowcase, CGK Unlimited Soft Cases and LanJia Grey Pillowcase
- Jun 2020: Published
