Sound asleep, maybe. But are they really safe?

As parents, we’ll do anything to protect our children. We’d practically go into bankruptcy to feed them organic food and buy them safe toys and clothing. We’d throw ourselves in front of a bus to keep them safe.

But what about when they’re sleeping? Kids spend a lot of time in their bedrooms breathing in whatever is in there with them. We’ve had a Hepa air purifier in our son’s room forever, but I do worry about what he’s breathing in with his face smushed into his mattress. It’s not so much of a concern with a plasticized crib mattress, but when he moves to a traditional mattress this winter…well, just thinking about it gives me the heeby jeebies. Bed bugs (pictured top right) and dust mites (at left) are more common than any of us would like to admit. Both of those images are dramatically enlarged. Chances are you won’t know they’re in your child’s bed until you see the bites or the symptoms of asthma and/or allergies, because they’re actually incredibly small and are talented at hiding.

And that’s why I’m loving the Protect Your Sleep website and the Clean Rest products. Clean Rest sells encasements for mattresses, crib/toddler mattresses, box springs, pillows and duvets. Anywhere that these allergens and nasties live can be easily & completely encased with a Clean Rest product. The MicronOne™ technology blocks even the tiniest of micro-toxins but is still breathable so you don’t have to worry about a little face being suffocated against the mattress (any more than you would without a Clean Rest cover, anyway).

When I first opened the packages, I was leery of the slightly crinkly plastic-like feeling. As soon as they were out of the washer & dryer, that feeling was almost gone and I’m happy to say that we don’t really notice them on the bed or pillows. But we do feel a lot more clean. The encasements are completely waterproof and are awesome for children’s beds. No more worries about accidents ruining mattresses when liquids roll off the side (or soak right through the seams) of a regular mattress cover. I would highly recommend Clean Rest products to anyone concerned about the quality of the air their family is breathing as they sleep. (Who isn’t, really?)

If you’re having troubles or just want to know more, see the very thorough bed bug guide and dust mite guide at ProtectYourSleep.com

We’ve got two great prizes from Clean Rest to give away. Two randomly selected winners will each win one mattress encasement and two pillow encasements in their choice of sizes. Each prize is valued at between $120 and $170 USD and, in my opinion, worth every penny of that if you’re one of the hundreds of entrants who don’t win and have to buy them yourself. To enter, email theopinionatedparent@gmail.com with CLEAN REST in the subject line and tell us one “healthy tip” available from the website. Contest closes at midnight MST on 9/4/07. Congratulations Betty & Jeet!